Republican Senator Mike Rounds stood behind FBI Director Christopher Wray in a recent interview on ABC News, stating he is a “good man” and has “no complaints” about his job performance. This comes amid President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement that he plans to fire Wray and replace him with his former chief of staff to the secretary of defense, Kash Patel. During the interview on “This Week,” co-host Jonathan Karl questioned Rounds on his reaction to the nomination and the senator defended the president’s decision, stating it is within his rights and normal for a president to want a loyalist on his team.
Rounds went on to praise Wray’s handling of the FBI during his first term, stating, “When we meet with him behind closed doors, I’ve had no objections to the way that he’s handled himself. So I don’t have any complaints about the way that he’s done his job right now.”
However, this support for Wray is in contrast to the views of many Republicans, including the 2024 GOP presidential candidates, who have vowed to fire him and make structural changes within the bureau. In 2022, the House Judiciary Committee released a scathing report alleging that the FBI is “broken” under Wray’s leadership, accusing the agency of altering and mischaracterizing evidence, circumventing safeguards, and exploiting weaknesses in policies.
But despite these criticisms, Rounds stands by the president’s right to make nominations and stated that the Senate will go through the proper process of advice and consent. He also acknowledged that the 10-year term for FBI directors is a norm, but it remains to be seen if Trump will make the nomination for Wray’s replacement.
This is not the first time Wray has come under fire, with various incidents and controversies throughout his tenure. Recently, he refused to speak before the Senate on global threats facing the U.S. homeland, causing backlash from lawmakers. Additionally, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced an article of impeachment against Wray, accusing him of aiding in the intimidation and harassment of American citizens who are enemies of the Biden administration.
On the other hand, Kash Patel has voiced strong opinions against the weaponization of the surveillance state and has plans to shake up the FBI if he becomes the director. In a recent podcast, he stated he would shut down the FBI’s headquarters and turn it into a museum, sending its employees to chase down criminals across America.
It is clear that the debate surrounding Wray and the FBI will continue, but for now, Senator Rounds stands by the president’s decision and supports Wray’s performance. And while some may criticize Trump for his choice of Patel, it is important to remember that it is within his rights as president to choose his own team.