FBI must be independent, above partisan fray, outgoing director says in farewell address

FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasizes independence, professionalism, and adherence to the rule of law in farewell address.

The FBI must remain independent, above the partisan fray and “committed to upholding the rule of law,” outgoing Director Christopher Wray said in a farewell address just days before his expected retirement at the conclusion of the Biden administration following more than seven years on the job.

“No matter what's happening out there,” Mr. Wray said, “in here, we've got to stay committed to doing our work the right way every time, with professionalism, with rigor, with integrity. That means following the facts wherever they lead, no matter who likes it or doesn't — because trust me, if there's anything I've learned in this job, there's always someone who doesn't like you.”

The remarks at the packed farewell ceremony at FBI headquarters steered clear of any direct political reference, with no overt mention of President-elect Donald Trump's scathing criticism of him or the turmoil the bureau has encountered amid a spate of highly charged investigations into both Trump and President Joe Biden.

But the backdrop was unmistakable, coming amid concerns that Mr. Trump — who last month forced Wray's departure by naming loyalist Kash Patel to the job — could seek to use the FBI's law enforcement powers to exact retribution against adversaries.

Adhering to the rule of law, Mr. Wray added, "means conducting investigations without fear or favour and it means not pursuing investigations when the predication's not there. That's what the rule of law is all about. We've got to maintain our independence and objectivity, staying above partisanship and politics because that's what the American people expect and I think that's what they deserve.” Mr. Wray has announced his intent to resign ahead of Mr. Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, roughly three years short of the 10-year tenure given to FBI directors.

The move followed Mr. Trump's statement that he would install Patel, a former Justice Department prosecutor who has sharply criticized FBI investigations into Mr. Trump, called for major overhauls of the bureau and talked about going after members of the so-called “deep state” in Washington — a pejorative term Trump and his allies used for entrenched civil servants.

Mr. Wray's tenure saw the emergence of increasingly sophisticated Chinese cyberespionage campaigns, brazen assassination plots by Iran — including one that targeted Mr. Trump — and, most recently, a New Year's Day attack in New Orleans that killed 14 revelers and that the FBI is investigating as an act of terror.