On Wednesday morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee grilled the man President Donald Trump tapped to lead the FBI: former federal prosecutor Christopher Wray.
Wray, if confirmed, will take the position previously held by James Comey, who Trump fired in May after he refused to pledge loyalty to the president or to drop the ongoing federal investigation into fired National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
On Wednesday, Wray assured the committee that despite the circumstances of his nomination, he will remain independent from the White House.
“If I am given the honor of leading this agency,” he said. “I will never allow the FBI’s work to be driven by anything other than the facts, the law, and the impartial pursuit of justice. Period.”
Wray went on to emphasize that his only loyalty is to “the Constitution and the rule of law.”
“They have been my guideposts throughout my career, and I will continue to adhere to them no matter the test.”
Later, under questioning from committee chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Wray promised “strict independence” and quipped: “Anybody who thinks I will be pulling punches as FBI director sure doesn’t know me very well.”
When asked by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) what he would do if the president asked him to do something illegal, Wray answered: “I would try to talk him out of it, and if that failed, I would resign.”
Independent, but loyal…
Same Donnie, different day…
Anyone yet ask if he signed his loyalty oath?
Isn’t this the guy who hid evidence for Chris Christie during Bridgegate? ETA: It is. Thanks, Val (see below).
And besides that, now that we have actual proof of collusion, we know what Donald’s mindframe was when he fired Comey. Which means we know damn well he was trying to obstruct the investigation.
It’s impossible to see Wray outside that context, I don’t care if he’s Commissioner fucking Gordon. He cannot be trusted to be independent. No Trump nominee can.
ETA: Hey, McCain, Graham, Sasse, and all the other halo-polishers? If you actually give a damn about Trump colluding with Russia, here’s where you show it. Vote ‘no’ on this guy.
There should be a loyalty clause in the NDA he signed when Trump first approached him.
Oh and @greycardinal Trump has redefined independence as “being deferential to Him at all times … discreetly”
And if he wants the job what was he supposed to say? That he’d be partial? That he’d pull a few punches? And we are to believe Trump selected him because he actually has the traits he claimed he has?