Is Christopher Wray a Good Pick For Trump's Next FBI director?
Partisan manoeuvrings
After Wray he left the Justice Department and joined top international law firm King & Spalding, Wray represented Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in the so-called Bridgegate scandal over massive traffic jams created as political punishment for a local mayor.
That case and others taken on by Wray while in private practice could pose problems, said American Civil Liberties Union National Political Director Faiz Shakir in a statement.
"Christopher Wray's firm's legal work for the Trump family, his history of partisan activity, as well as his history of defending Trump's transition director during a criminal scandal makes us question his ability to lead the FBI," Shakir said.
The non-political choice
Wray represented Christie in a scandal that resulted in two of the governor's aides being convicted. Christie, who was a close adviser to Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign and whose name was floated as a possible Comey replacement, was never charged.
Christie has called Wray "an outstanding choice, a non-political choice" to head the FBI.
Apart from possible conflicts, another question about Wray is whether the longtime white-collar lawyer is equipped to take over an agency that is increasingly focused on detecting and combating terrorism, espionage and cybercrime.
There are questions about whether he is experienced enough in intelligence, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, computer crimes, and issues like that. The biggest test the bureau is likely to face is not another Enron.
Nancy Pelosi, the top House of Representatives Democrat, said the next FBI director needed to be "of unimpeachable integrity and independence".
"In light of the president's constant efforts to block the truth, the nomination of Christopher Wray should be subject to the utmost scrutiny," she said.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wray's "impressive credentials make him more than ready" to lead the FBI. Republican House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said he did not know Wray but that his resume suggests he is "the perfect kind of person" for the job.
"Wray represented Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in the so-called Bridgegate scandal"
I think that pretty much answers the question of whether this guy should ever work in any government position.
Spoiler alert: No.
I love your mode of questioning there ... I wonder who that reminds me of! Ha ha! :)
@mindhunter It is the POTUS right to chose someone however this particular POTUS want someone that will be loyal to him which is against FBI DNA. Only time will tell.
Agreed @charles1 - that loyalty is a clash of interests indeed.
Good point, however all politicians like someone who is loyal to them however thi partcullar POTUS plays the game very open and like a business man, not like a smart politician.
It's almost like a loyal business deal - I know what you mean @charles1
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Many thanks for spreading the word on Wray @smithmadu ;)
Thanks for sharing
Upvoted
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It depends on whether you want a political lackey or a crime fighter.
Who am I kidding they're all political lackeys!
And why are they always lawyers?
I remember anarchy breaking out in a Shakespeare play once ... the first phrase ... "Lets kill all the lawyers!"
See, even in Elizabethen times it was evident they are a scourge! 😃
500 years of these pests eh! ;)
I note about Wray that he took down Enron, whose board were close personal friends of Bush and Cheney, the sitting President and Vice President, at the time of that action.
As a result, I have no questions about Wray's ability to act independently of the head of state. My recollection of the last Bush presidency was that it was markedly political, extremely croneyist, and devoid of integrity.
The almost cringing devotion of officials in that administration to the executive, such as Alberto Gonzalez, the Attorney General, and the obvious quid pro quo nature of the benefits conferred on those favored by that administration, are all the more obvious in contrast to Wray's absolute disregard for such encomiums.
While in private practice he has continued to work on similar highly politically sensitive and financially complex cases, while somehow remaining above the fray in his personal and professional entanglements.
Plus, he just looks like the quintessential law enforcement bulldog.
If I was imagining the ideal qualities I'd want in an FBI Director, I'd probably come up with someone remarkably like Christopher Wray, and since I paid no attention to the Enron takedown, and had never heard of him before, I was surprised that someone so particularly qualified even existed.
That Nancy Pelosi appears to be against him is just a bonus.
Of all Trump's appointees, none has been so approved by me as Wray.