McCabe on Wray resignation: 'FBI independence is worth defending'

Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said Wednesday he disagrees with FBI Director Christopher Wray’s decision to step down from his post at the end of President Biden’s term and thinks he should have stayed and let President-elect Trump fire him.

In an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, McCabe said staying at the FBI would have been the best way for Wray to defend its independence.

"I think Director Wray did an honorable job of leading the FBI through some very tough times, and I’m sure he has his own reasons for going in the way that he announced today,” McCabe told Collins. “But I believe very strongly that the principle of FBI independence is worth defending.”

“And in this moment, the way to best defend that principle — this post-Watergate reform that has been the core of the FBI for the last 50 years, the FBI that the American people rely upon, the FBI that‘s independent from politics — the best way to defend that principle would be to remain in his position and force the president to fire him,” McCabe said.

Wray announced Wednesday his plans to resign from the agency at the end of the Biden administration in January. Trump recently said he intends to tap Kash Patel to lead the FBI, signifying his plans to replace Wray as the bureau’s director.

Wray, whom Trump initially tapped to lead the FBI in 2017, would not otherwise finish his term until 2027.

“My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day. In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work,” Wray said at a town hall Wednesday, announcing his decision.

Topics

'Great day for America': Trump lauds Chris Wray resigning as FBI director

Trump initially appointed Wray and plans to replace him with Kash Patel.
ABC News - 1h
Retired FBI official on Christopher Wray's decision to resign

Chris Piehota is a retired FBI executive assistant director and the author of "Wanted: The FBI I Once Knew." He joined CBS News to discuss the decision by Christopher Wray to step down at the end ...
CBS News - 2h
LIVE: ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events
ABC News - 23h
Wray to resign as FBI director before Trump's inauguration

President-elect Donald Trump announced in November that he intended to name Kash Patel to replace Cristopher Wray as FBI director.
CBS News - 19h
FBI Director Christopher Wray says he'll resign as Donald Trump takes office

FBI Director Christopher Wray plans to resign in January, as President-elect Donald Trump takes office and plans to replace him with Kash Patel.
NBC News - 20h
Why Christopher Wray resigning from the FBI is not surprising

Christopher Wray, the current FBI director, has announced his intention to resign before President-elect Donald Trump takes the White House in 2025. Joshua Skule, a former FBI executive assistant ...
CBS News - 21h
FBI Director Christopher Wray says he will resign before Trump term

FBI Director Christopher Wray says he intends to resign before President-elect Donald Trump's second term in the White House. CBS News' Lana Zak has the latest.
CBS News - 23h
Chris Wray plans to resign as FBI director ahead of Trump inauguration

FBI Director Christopher Wray has announced his plans to resign from the position ahead of President-elect Trump's inauguration. Trump appointed Wray during his first term in office and has already ...
NBC News - 23h
Christopher Wray to resign as FBI director ahead of Trump takeover

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced Wednesday he plans to resign from the agency, leaving his post ahead of President-Trump's apparent plans to fire him. "After weeks of careful thought, I’ve ...
The Hill - 23h