| President-elect Joe Biden reportedly has no plans to remove Christopher Wray, the FBI director installed by President Trump, if he is still in the job when the new administration comes in. While FBI directors, who are Senate-confirmed, generally serve full 10-year terms, Trump acted against norms when he fired FBI Director James Comey amid the ongoing federal investigation into Russian election interference.
Trump and his allies have reportedly become increasingly frustrated that Wray would not meet the president’s calls for the launch of a formal investigation to examine the business dealings of Biden’s son Hunter Biden, and at his resistance to firing officials tied to the 2016 Russia probe that Trump has alleged acted improperly. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany declined to say on Wednesday whether President Trump had confidence in Wray. “He’s made no assessment, at least in my presence, about that,” she told reporters. Some House Democrats have previously indicated that they are open to the idea of Wray staying in his post when Biden takes office, and they have urged Trump not to fire additional officials before his departure in January.
Another key position on Biden’s national security team, director of the CIA, is also expected to be filled soon, with David Cohen, a former deputy CIA director, reportedly emerging as the leading choice. Cohen, who succeeded Biden’s director of national intelligence pick Avril Haines at the CIA, worked closely with her during the Obama administration. Biden has reportedly not made a final decision on Cohen, and his selection depends in part on the mix of people he wants to lead the Pentagon and other agencies. No formal announcement is expected on his pick for the CIA until at least next week. New York Times, The Hill
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