US Senate confirms Christopher Wray as FBI director

The US Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Christopher Wray as the new director of the FBI on Tuesday, three months after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor James Comey.

Wray, a high-flying criminal lawyer, was an uncontroversial choice for the post. But he won widespread bipartisan backing, with a 92-5 vote, after telling lawmakers he would rather resign than bow to political interference.

He assumes charge at a difficult time for the FBI.

Comey’s sacking had led to accusations Trump was attempting to impede an investigation into links between his aides and Russia during last year’s presidential election, which led to the appointment of independent prosecutor Robert Mueller as a special counsel.

Wray’s first challenge will likely be to reassure the bureau’s more than 30,000 employees of his commitment to their independence, after insisting to lawmakers he would be his own man.

“You can’t do a job like this without being prepared to either quit or be fired at a moment’s notice you’re asked to do something or confronted with something that is either illegal, unconstitutional or even morally repugnant,” he told the Senate Judiciary Committee during questioning earlier this month.