Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) said he thinks President-elect Trump is moving the FBI in a “very political direction.”
Ivey, who serves on the House Judiciary Committee, joined NewsNation’s “The Hill” Sunday, where he explained why he thought FBI Director Christopher Wray shouldn’t have resigned and instead forced Trump to fire him. Host Chris Stirewalt noted a history of FBI leaders stepping aside before their 10-year term is up.
“I think leaving because an incoming president says he’s going to bring in someone else is a little bit different than somebody leaving to go do something in the private sector,” Ivey said.
With Wray’s resignation underway, Trump is set to appoint Kash Patel, a loyalist, to the top position. It’s a decision that concerns Democrats as they look to keep the agency a nonpartisan function of government.
“I think it’s pretty clear … when you combine that history with the nomination of Patel to take over, that … Trump’s moving the FBI in a very political direction and I think that’s problematic, not only for the country overall, but for the rule of law and the department,” Ivey said.
The Maryland Democrat said he is doubtful that anything Wray does inside the department before his formal exit will be permanent once Patel and Trump come in.
“Frankly, I’ve got more concerns, beyond just … particularly lieutenants and what happens with them,” Ivey said. “I think the rule of law issues, Patel coming in with an enemy’s list, I think those are the kinds of things we really need to focus on at this point.”
Ivey previously argued that Wray should have forced Trump to fire him, because his resignation takes the “onus off Trump for breaking with tradition” and replacing him with Patel.
Trump chose Wray in his previous term after he fired his predecessor, James Comey. He would have served in the FBI’s top position until 2027.
However, Trump has named Patel to lead the bureau next. Patel has echoed Trump’s calls for retribution against his political enemies and those who investigated the president-elect in the past.
NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.
