Senate Overwhelmingly Approves Wray as New FBI Director

In an usual display of bipartisanship, the Senate easily confirmed President Donald Trump’s pick for the next FBI director.

The final tally was 92-5 in favor of Christopher Wray to head the bureau.

Wray replaces James Comey, who Trump fired in May.

Judiciary Chairman Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, expressed confidence that Wray would protect the integrity of the investigation of possible Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

“Mr. Wray was asked directly what he would do if presented with the opportunity to influence these investigations in any way. He told the committee that he won’t condone tampering with investigations, and that he would resign rather than be unduly influenced in any manner,” Grassley said. “Mr. Wray’s record of service, and his reputation, give us no reason to doubt him.”

Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to approve Wray’s appointment, demonstrating the confidence senators had in his ability to lead the bureau in a fair manner.

Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., who is a member of the Judiciary Committee, believes Wray will be “tested” by the Trump administration.

“One early test may come in relation to the investigations being conducted by Special Counsel [Robert] Mueller, this committee and other committees in Congress,” she said.

The five Democrat senators who voted against Wray were Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley or Oregon and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared happy to put one in the win column following last week’s failure of the Obamacare repeal to pass by one vote.

McConnell also chided Democrats for the slow pace of confirming Trump’s other appointments:

By this point in the Obama presidency only 41 top posts remained open compared to Trump’s 114. According to the New York Times, part of the blame lies with Trump, who has been slower than Obama in announcing his picks.

Wray has been in private law practice since 2005.

Prior to that, he served as assistant attorney general in charge of the criminal division at the Justice Department during the administration of President George W. Bush. (For more from the author of “Senate Overwhelmingly Approves Wray as New FBI Director” please click HERE)

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