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GOP Senator Mike Rounds expressed support for FBI Director Christopher Wray, stating that he believes Trump picked a good man for the job. Rounds said he has no complaints about Wray’s performance. However, President-elect Donald Trump has indicated he intends to nominate Kash Patel to replace Wray. Wray was appointed by Trump in 2017 and serves a 10-year term, so Trump would need to dismiss Wray or Wray would have to resign voluntarily for Patel to take over.
Rounds mentioned that he will evaluate Patel and other Cabinet nominees fairly during the Senate’s confirmation process. He emphasized the importance of the “advise and consent” process in the Senate for all nominees. The Biden administration has also expressed concerns about replacing Wray before the end of his term, as FBI directors traditionally serve full 10-year terms to maintain independence from politics.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin criticized Trump’s plan to replace Wray, emphasizing the importance of insulating the FBI from partisanship. He called for the Senate to reject confirming Patel, as replacing Wray with an unqualified loyalist would set a dangerous precedent. The Biden administration emphasized the need to adhere to the long-standing norm of allowing FBI directors to serve their full terms, regardless of the president in office.
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