President Trump has nominated as the new FBI director a lawyer who defended Chris Christie, the New Jersey governor, during a political scandal.
Christopher Wray, 50, is a former justice department official and federal prosecutor whose appointment ends a month-long search after Mr Trump dismissed James Comey.
Mr Wray’s appointment drew praise from across the party divide. He is seen as a non-political, non-ideological choice to bring calm to a department embroiled in controversy surrounding alleged links between Mr Trump, his aides and associates and Russia.
For the past three years Mr Wray has represented Mr Christie, keeping his client from charges in a case involving politically motivated traffic jams. Two of Mr Christie’s aides have been jailed.
Mr Trump announced his choice on Twitter yesterday. The nomination of Mr Wray, a former assistant attorney-general and also a seasoned defence lawyer, calmed fears that Mr Trump was looking to politicise the post, which has historically gone to an FBI insider or senior lawyer.
Advertisement
Mr Wray, a graduate of Yale Law School, had experience in law enforcement, beginning as an assistant prosecutor in Georgia before heading the justice department’s criminal division under George W Bush’s presidency.
He comes from within Mr Trump’s close circle, as an associate of Mr Christie, who was a senior figure on Mr Trump’s campaign team, and a partner at the law firm that advises Mr Trump’s business trust on ethics.