The firing of FBI Director James Comey has left a " hole" at the bureau while agents push ahead with their work
This is “not a great time” at the FBI, as the bureau pushes ahead with a “hole” created by the firing of FBI Director James Comey, a law enforcement source told CBS News.
Comey’s firing, which discouraged many in the FBI, came in the midst of one of the most important investigations in its history, as it digs into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and whether President Trump’s campaign associates colluded with the Russians. The hope is that Mr. Trump’s pick for FBI director, Christopher Wray, will once again bring some stability to the bureau.
When Wray’s name first surfaced as a potential candidate during a White House press briefing last week, employees in the FBI expressed some relief that the president might not be selecting an elected official, according to the source. Democrats, in particular, expressed concern when former Sen. Joe Lieberman was floated as a top contender. But given Mr. Trump’s reported expectations of Comey and a conversation in which the president reportedly asked Comey to drop an investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, sources tell CBS News there are concerns within the FBI about whether Wray’s loyalty will be to the president or to the FBI and its mission.
Wray still has to be confirmed by the Senate and will likely face questions about where his loyalty lies then.
Meanwhile, Comey’s scheduled testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee Thursday is the most anticipated event in Washington this week. Comey is expected to testify about his interactions with the president, including the conversation in which Mr. Trump allegedly asked him to drop the investigation into Flynn.
