Will President Trump Fire FBI Director Wray?

Daily Mail: Donald Trump hints at FIRING FBI boss Chris Wray for saying Russia is interfering to hurt Joe Biden and antifa is 'not an organization'

* FBI Director Chris Wray gave evidence to House Homeland Security committee and was questioned on antifa and Russian election meddling
* Wray did not dispute that antifa activists were a serious concern, saying that antifa was a 'real thing'
* But, he said, 'It's not a group or an organization. It's a movement or an ideology.'
* He said Russia had a 'very active' campaign to 'denigrate' Joe Biden
* On Friday Trump was asked if he was considering firing Wray and said: 'We're looking at a lot of different things. I did not like his answer the other day.'
* He slammed him for not saying 'China is the biggest problem' and not saying antifa are 'looters and rioters'
* Move would plunge Trump into a new crisis on eve of election with need to find an acting director and confirm a nominee
* Wray would also be free to speak his mind - as did James Comey, the last FBI director Trump fired
* Only one other FBI director had been fired before Comey, when Bill Clinton removed William Sessions in 1993

Donald Trump hinted he might fire FBI director Chris Wray Friday after he publicly split from the president on 'antifa' and warned Russia has a 'very active' effort to discredit Joe Biden.

Wray testified under oath to Congress Thursday that antifa was 'a movement' and not 'an organization,' contradicting Trump's demand that it be designated a domestic terrorist organization.

As he left the White House Friday to head for a campaign rally in Minnesota, Trump was asked if he was considering firing Wray.

He replied: 'We're looking at a lot of different things. I did not like his answer the other day.'

'I disagreed with him on those very important points,' he said.

'China is the top of the list. The big problem is China and why he doesn't want to say that, that certainly bothers me.

'Antifa is a bad group, they are criminals and anarchists and they are looters and rioters and everything else. I wonder why he is not saying that.'

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Update #1: Trump—Angry Over FBI Director’s Warning Of Russian Election Meddling—Suggests He May Fire Him -- Forbes
Update #2: Donald Trump hints he could fire FBI director over Antifa disagreement -- The Independent

WNU Editor: I watched the FBI Director's testimony on Thursday, and I was left shaking my head .... FBI Director Wray Says Russia Is Working To Sway Election In Trump's Favour. Says Antifa Is Not A Terrorist Organization (September 17, 2020). American cities are burning because of groups like Antifa, but the FBI Director's focus is on Russia, Russia, and Russia followed by white supremacist groups. For the moment I do not see President Trump firing the FBI Director. But should President Trump win a second term, he will need to examine who is working under him, and avoid repeating the bad very choices that he has made in the past four years when it comes to hiring people like FBI Director Christopher Wray.

FBI Director Wray Says Russia Is Working To Sway Election In Trump's Favour. Says Antifa Is Not A Terrorist Organization

Politico: Wray says Russia engaged in 'very active efforts' to interfere in election, damage Biden

The FBI director also broke with Trump’s claim that antifa is a terrorist organization.

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday described “very active efforts” by Russia to interfere in the 2020 election, primarily by working to damage former Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

Wray said Russians have been using social media, as well as “proxies, state media, online journals" and other vehicles to hurt Biden and what it views as anti-Russian factions in U.S. politics.

Wray’s assessment affirms the findings of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which last month described Russia’s efforts to damage Biden and specifically identified Andriy Derkach, a pro-Russian Ukrainian lawmaker who has met with President Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani, as an agent of Russia’s influence operations.

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WNU Editor: FBI Director Wray says social media is being used by Russian proxies to undermine/damage former Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. He does not give any precise examples, but implies that they are trying to agitate people????? The FBI Director then says that Russian media and online journals are critical of the Democrat nominee. So what! Canada's news media is overwhelming critical of President Trump. Are they also trying to sway the election in favour of Joe Biden? But the best is when the FBI Director makes the claim that “white supremacists” make up the largest share of racially motivated terrorists in the US (see here). Has he not seen the scores of BLM inspired riots and the massive damage that they have caused these past few months?!?!?! Apparently not. It is hard to believe that Christopher Wray is the FBI Director.

More News On FBI Director Wray Saying Russia Is Working To Sway The Election In Trump's Favour

FBI director Wray says Russia is actively interfering in 2020 election to 'denigrate' Biden -- CNN
FBI Director Wray: Russia working to sway election in Trump's favor -- UPI
Russia Seeks to Stop Biden From Winning, FBI Chief Wray Says -- Bloomberg
FBI Director Wray: 'Antifa is a real thing,' FBI has cases against people identifying with movement -- FOX News

FBI Director Christopher Wray Unleashes On China

FOX News: FBI Director Wray says half of bureau’s 5,000 counterintelligence cases are related to China

Most Americans have likely had their information stolen already, Wray says

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Tuesday warned Americans that the Chinese government’s theft of American information is taking place on so large a scale, suspected incidents make up nearly half of his bureau’s counterintelligence cases.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Hudson Institute in Washington, Wray said that Chinese thefts amount to “one of the largest transfers of wealth in human history,” and that the American people are the victims.

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More News On FBI Director Christopher Wray Unleashing On China

FBI director: Nearly half of all counterintelligence cases relate to China -- NBC
FBI chief says China has preferences in US election -- AFP
FBI chief says China threatens families to coerce overseas critics to return to China -- Reuters
FBI director unleashes on China in speech -- CNN
China trying to force Chinese nationals living in US to return home – FBI chief -- The Guardian
FBI director says China aims to become "world's only superpower" -- Axios

FBI Director Wray: 'Surveillance Not The Same As ‘Spying’'

FOX News: Split with Barr? FBI Director Wray says surveillance not the same as ‘spying’

FBI Director Christopher Wray, testifying to Congress Tuesday, said that he would not describe the bureau's traditional surveillance as “spying” -- indicating a possible split with Attorney General William Barr on his controversial use of the term to describe intelligence-gathering during the Russia probe.

“That’s not the term I would use,” Wray told lawmakers on the Senate Appropriations Committee when asked if FBI agents engage in "spying" when they follow FBI policies and procedures. “Lots of people have different colloquial phrases. I believe that the FBI is engaged in investigative activity, and part of investigative activity includes surveillance activity of different shapes and sizes, and to me the key question is making sure that it's done by the book, consistent with our lawful authorities.”

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WNU Editor: This is what I call classic Orwellian double-speak. It also contradicts what former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper is saying .... James Clapper admits FBI's actions 'meet the dictionary definition' of 'spying' (Washington Examiner). What is also troubling is that with his mind already made up, how can he then do a proper job with this .... FBI Director Wray: I Am Working With Attorney General Barr To "Get To The Bottom" Of Origin Of 2016 Trump Investigation (RCP).

More News On FBI Director Wray Saying That Surveillance Is Not The Same As ‘Spying’

FBI chief Wray refutes Barr, says no 'spying' on Trump campaign -- NBC
F.B.I. Director Defends Bureau Against Spying Accusations: ‘That’s Not the Term I Would Use’ -- The New York Times
Trump’s FBI Director Disputes Charges of ‘Spying’ During 2016 Race -- Bloomberg
FBI director says he wouldn't use 'spying' to describe investigations -- The Hill
FBI's Wray: Spying is 'not the term I would use' to describe Trump campaign probe -- Politico

FBI Director: China 'The Broadest, Most Significant' Threat To The U.S.

FBI Director Christopher Wray at the Aspen Security Forum. Screenshot/Aspen Security Forum

Business Insider: FBI director calls China 'the broadest, most significant' threat to the US and says its espionage is active in all 50 states

* FBI Director Christopher Wray has described China as "the broadest, most challenging, most significant threat we face as a country."
* Wray's comments come after a week of controversy surrounding President Donald Trump's response to Russian election meddling.
* Wray said that investigations into economic espionage linked to China were taking place in every US state and that China wanted to become the "sole dominant superpower."
* China's intelligence success is due in part to its ability to act in a "whole of state effort" and also to its capacity to take a patient, long-term view.

Amid rampant discussion about Russian election interference and espionage, FBI Director Christopher Wray has deemed China the largest, most concerning threat to the US.

Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday, Wray was asked whether he saw China as an adversary and, if so, to what level.

"I think China, from a counterintelligence perspective, in many ways represents the broadest, most challenging, most significant threat we face as a country," Wray answered.

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WNU Editor: The FBI Director is right, but this story is being eclipsed by his comments on Russia.

FBI Director Will Not Take-Up Russian President Putin's Offer For Investigation Cooperation

FBI Director Wray

Bloomberg: FBI Chief Dismisses Putin Offer for Investigation Cooperation

* It’s ‘not high on our list of investigative techniques’: Wray
* Trump had called the offer by Putin an ‘incredible’ deal

FBI Director Christopher Wray made clear that U.S. law enforcement doesn’t support a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to have American investigators go to Russia to observe interviews of suspects wanted by the U.S.

“I never want to say never, but it’s certainly not high on our list of investigative techniques," Wray said wryly at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado on Wednesday.

Wray also dismissed the other side of Putin’s proposed deal: to let Russian investigators come to the U.S. to observe questioning of suspects that they’re interested in.

“That’s probably even lower on our list of investigative techniques," Wray said.

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WNU Editor: They (the FBI) have not even bothered to question Julian Assange and the role that Wikileaks had in exposing DNC emails on how their primary was fixed .... so I doubt that they would be interested in going to Russia to question these Russian intel officers.

FBI Director: Russian Influence Efforts Are Still 'Active'. Election Infrastructure Not Impacted

The Hill: FBI director says Russian influence efforts are ‘very active’

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday described Russian malign influence efforts to sow discord among the American public as “very active.”

Wray was asked to directly respond to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s denials of Russian interference in the 2016 election during an appearance as the Aspen Security Forum. Wray described the U.S. intelligence community’s assessment of Russian meddling as sound, adding that Moscow “continues to engage in malign influence operations to this day.”

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Update #1: FBI Director Christopher Wray reaffirms Russia continues to try to meddle in U.S. elections (CBS)
Update #2: FBI director: Russia ‘continues to engage in malign influence operations’ against U.S. (Politico)
Update #3: FBI boss Wray says Russia engaging in 'malign influence operations,' calls Mueller a 'straight shooter' (FOX News)

WNU Editor: FBI Director Wray also said this  ....

.... "We haven’t yet seen an effort to target specific election infrastructure this time but certainly other efforts – what I would call ‘malign influence operations’ – are very active,"

According to the FBI Director the election infrastructure is not being impacted, it is the message that Russia is promoting that is causing problems. So hence exposing the Democrat Party's plan to fix the primary for Hillary Clinton is a "malign influence operations" .... not the fact that the Democrat Party had fixed its primary process to favor Hillary Clinton. And they say the Russians are sowing doubts in the U.S. election process?!?!?!

Will FBI Director Christopher Wray Resign If The Nunes Memo Is Release?

CNN: White House worried FBI director could quit over Nunes memo release

Washington (CNN)Top White House aides are worried FBI Director Christopher Wray could quit if the highly controversial Republican memo alleging the FBI abused its surveillance tools is released, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation tell CNN.

Wray has made clear he is frustrated that President Donald Trump picked him to lead the FBI after he fired FBI Director James Comey in May, yet his advice on the Nunes memo is being disregarded and cast as part of the purported partisan leadership of the FBI, according to a senior law enforcement official.

Wray's stance is "raising hell," one source familiar with the matter said.

Wray has not directly threatened to resign after clashing with Trump over the possible release of the memo, the source added, because that is not his style of dealing with conflict.

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WNU Editor: Instead of being focused on the memo .... FBI Director Christopher Wray should be more focused on what did top FBI officials do in the past two years .... support the Justice Department's Inspector General in his investigation of the FBI ....  and then lay the groundwork for reforms and the changes that will be needed. And in the end .... explain all of this to the American people.

F.B.I. Director Wray Grilled By Congress On Concerns That FBI Investigations Have Become Politicized

New York Times: F.B.I. Director Denies Political Bias Is Tainting Investigations

WASHINGTON — Christopher A. Wray, the director of the F.B.I., defended his work force on Thursday in a politically charged hearing on Capitol Hill, rebutting President Trump’s accusation that the bureau was in “tatters” and fending off attacks from Republicans on personnel.

The unusual scenario — the nation’s top law enforcement official pressed by normally deferential Republican lawmakers — was a reflection of the extreme partisanship that has taken hold in Washington. The F.B.I., whose leadership and agents have long seen it as an apolitical institution, has been thrust into the political maelstrom repeatedly over the past two years.

Mr. Wray, who became director in August, remained unflappable during his first appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, touting the work of the F.B.I.’s nearly 37,000 employees.

“There is no finer institution than the F.B.I. and no finer people than the men and women who work there,” he said.

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WNU Editor: When I read stories like this one .... Mueller Commission Removes Top FBI Agent In Russia Probe Over Anti-Trump Texts December 2, 2017). And then stories about FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe telling FBI agents not to call the 2012 Benghazi attack an act of terrorism .... GOP lawmakers cite new allegations of political bias in FBI (The Hill). Followed by stories on how FBI informants are treated like this one .... FBI informant gathered years of evidence on Russian push for US nuclear fuel deals, including Uranium One, memos show (The Hill). You know that you have a problem in the upper echelons of the FBI.

More News On F.B.I. Director Wray's Testimony To Congress Today

FBI Director Wray defends bureau in wake of Republican criticism -- Reuters
FBI Director Christopher Wray defends agency after Trump tweet -- NBC
FBI Director Defends His Agency Against Trump's Attacks -- TIME
Who is FBI Director Christopher Wray? -- Fox News

Update: I watched a good part of FBI Director Wray's testimony (see video above), and it was quite a sight to see. In the past Republicans have always been differential to the FBI, but they were definitely not deferential today. I also noticed that the FBI Director was very confident in his answers, and cool in his demeanor. But FBI Director Wray's entire demeanor changed when pressed by Congressman Jordan on whether the Russian dossier was used by FBI agent Peter Strzok in obtaining FISA warrants .... and was this the reason why he was removed from the Mueller Commission. The reluctance of the FBI Director to answer this question, and then being told at the end by the Chairman that this needs to be answered (a closed briefing if necessary) .... as I said .... the body language and demeanor of the Director changed after that. I think Congressman Jordan is onto something, and everyone should watch the bottom video.

President Trump Nominates Christopher Wray To Be The Next FBI Director

I will be nominating Christopher A. Wray, a man of impeccable credentials, to be the new Director of the FBI. Details to follow.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2017

Washington Post: Trump to nominate Christopher Wray as next FBI director

President Trump announced Wednesday that he would nominate Christopher A. Wray — a white collar criminal defense attorney who led the Justice Department’s Criminal Division during the George W. Bush administration — to serve as the next FBI director.

Trump posted the announcement on Twitter, declaring Wray a “man of impeccable credentials” and saying more details would follow. His appointment would still have to be confirmed by the Senate, which is sure to scrutinize Trump’s nominee intensely.

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More News On President Trump Nominating Christopher Wray To Be The Next FBI Director

Trump Picks Christopher Wray to Be F.B.I. Director -- NYT
Trump Taps Former Assistant Attorney General Christopher Wray as New FBI Chief -- WSJ
Christopher Wray: Trump to Nominate Former Assistant AG for FBI Director -- NBC
Trump to nominate Christopher Wray as FBI director -- CNN
Trump to nominate Christopher Wray to be FBI director -- FOX News
Trump names FBI director nominee -- The Hill
New FBI Director: Trump to nominate Christopher Wray to lead FBI -- CBS
Trump taps Christopher Wray to head FBI -- Politico
President Trump Announces His Pick for FBI Director Is Christopher Wray -- Time
Who Is Christopher Wray? Donald Trump Nominates Former DOJ Official as FBI Director to Replace James Comey -- Newsweek
Trump Tweets His Choice for FBI Director -- The Atlantic