News

Trump Attacks FBI Director Christopher Wray After He Agrees With Inspector General’s Findings

President Donald Trump lambasted FBI Director Christopher Wray after he backed the findings of a report issued by the Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz. The report found that the investigation into Russian election interference was properly launched, free of bias and bereft of political motivation. Trump tweeted angrily last week:

Trump’s tweet hints that he’s lost faith in Wray, whom he appointed in 2017. White House officials think Trump is hesitant to fire Wray as he does not want history to repeat itself. Trump’s decision to dismiss his first FBI director James Comey paved the path for the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

SLIDESHOW: TOP DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2020

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Trump also said his FBI director was “wrong” after Wray testified at a May Senate hearing that it would be “wise” for political operatives to inform his agency about attempts by foreign governments to interfere in US elections.

FBI directors are appointed to 10-year terms in an attempt to guarantee independence from political interference.

The president referred to the much-talked-about inspector general’s report to vindicate his doubts about the FBI and its decision to launch an investigation into his political campaign ties to Russia.

Wray, on the other hand, sought to underscore that the investigation’s finding showed that the agency acted properly.

“I think it’s important that the inspector general found that in this particular instance the investigation was opened with appropriate predication and authorization,” Wray told ABC News hours after the report was released.

The 435-page report of the inspector general poked holes into Trump’s claims that the FBI illegally spied on his campaign, although it does censure FBI leaders and employees for how they handled four applications for surveillance under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) targeting campaign aide Carter Page.

Attorney General William Barr blasted the FBI last week for launching what he called an “intrusive investigation” into a presidential campaign based on the “thinnest of suspicions.”

 

Rajeet Guha

Recent Posts

Democrats Attack Green Party Nominee Jill Stein In New Ad

A new ad about Green Party candidate Jill Stein has been released by Vice President Kamala Harris'…

12 hours ago

Jennifer Lopez Says Trump ‘Offended Every Latino In The Country’ With MSG Joke At Harris Rally

https://youtu.be/inbJpo6D4BQ Jennifer Lopez, campaigning with Kamala Harris on Oct. 31 in Nevada, said Donald Trump’s…

12 hours ago

Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn Says ‘Gates Of Hell’ Will Be Opened On Opponents If Trump Is Reelected

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn declared that the "gates of hell" would be unleashed if former…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Kamala Harris Hugs First Person In Line For Her Ellipse Rally, Chats With Her Mom

https://youtu.be/JQCdk-71tG0 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris met with the woman who was the first in…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Harris Vows To Put ‘Country Above Party’ In Front Of 75,000 People At The Ellipse

https://youtu.be/xc72fdqkaVc Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to put “country above party and above self” as…

3 days ago

Trump-Friendly Judge Aileen Cannon In The Running For Attorney General If Former President Wins Second Term

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has reportedly been placed on a list of potential attorney general candidates…

3 days ago