Republican Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley strongly criticized FBI Director Christopher Wray in a letter stating he has “no confidence” in Wray’s leadership. Grassley accused Wray of failing his “fundamental duties” and urged him and Deputy Director Paul Abbate to step down.
“For the good of the country, it’s time for you and your deputy to move on,” Grassley wrote Monday. “I’ve spent my career fighting for transparency, and I’ve always called out those in government who have fought against it.” He emphasized his disappointment and announced his “vote of no confidence.”
Grassley, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also pointed to President-elect Trump’s nomination of Kash Patel as Wray’s potential successor. “I’ve seen enough, and I hope your respective successors will learn from these failures,” he added. Patel, a Trump ally, met with lawmakers Monday to build support for his confirmation.
Wray, currently in a 10-year term set to end in 2027, would need to step down or be fired for Patel to assume the role. Grassley’s detailed 11-page letter highlighted specific grievances with Wray’s leadership, which he claimed undermined trust in the FBI.
Grassley criticized the FBI’s “unprecedented raid” of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in 2022 as a prime example of Wray’s failures. “The raid included 30 armed agents authorized to ‘use lethal force if needed’ and even searched the former First Lady’s clothing drawers,” Grassley wrote. He argued the action was unnecessary since Trump had been cooperating with the investigation.
He contrasted the treatment of Trump with that of Hillary Clinton, who he said “never faced such a raid despite mishandling classified information.” Grassley also accused the FBI of participating in a “false information campaign” to undermine his investigation into alleged Biden-family corruption.
Grassley alleged the FBI failed to investigate bribery allegations involving Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, during Biden’s vice presidency. “The FBI under your watch had incriminating information for three years but did nothing,” he wrote, calling it another example of Wray’s leadership failures.
The senator further criticized the FBI’s handling of sexual harassment claims, the vetting of Afghan nationals during the 2021 withdrawal, and its so-called “anti-Catholic memo.” “Your failure to take control of the FBI has hindered my work and kept the truth from the American people,” Grassley said.
When asked for comment, the FBI defended its record, stating it is committed to “responding to Congressional oversight and being transparent.” However, Trump himself slammed Wray in an interview, claiming the FBI’s reputation has plummeted. “He invaded my home,” Trump said. “I’m very unhappy with the things he’s done.”
Grassley’s letter and Trump’s criticism underscore the pressure on Wray as Trump prepares to bring new leadership to the FBI. Whether Wray will voluntarily step down remains unclear.