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Biden will reportedly keep Wray as FBI director, choosing to avoid turmoil

FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks in 2019
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray testifies in 2019 before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
(Associated Press)
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President Joe Biden plans to keep Christopher A. Wray as his FBI director, a person familiar with the matter said Thursday.

It’s a sign of Biden’s confidence in the Trump appointee — and his return to pre-Trump presidential tradition — that the new president will keep the FBI director, who still has six years left in his 10-year term.

Trump had considered firing Wray at various points in his term over numerous issues, including the former president’s frustration that U.S. law enforcement officials wouldn’t provide politically damaging information on Biden’s family.

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Hunter Biden, the president’s son, is under federal investigation for his dealings with Chinese businesses, officials said in December. The president has pledged not to meddle in the investigation, and keeping Wray in place is one way to show he’s allowing the probe to progress unfettered.

Firing Wray, conversely, would likely have caused controversy early in Biden’s presidency.

CNN first reported Biden’s intention to keep Wray in his job.

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