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FBI Director Christopher Wray recently announced he will resign from his position in January 2025. Two highlights of my post-FBI retirement career producing and hosting FBI Retired Case File Review are speaking one on one with Director Wray for the celebration of the 300th episode of FBI Retired Case File Review and having the honor of sitting next to him at the 2021 FBIAA G-Man Honors awards dinner.
I’m reposting my interview with Director Wray to recognize his years of service to our government, seven as the director of the FBI. After the interview, I share my thoughts about the future of the FBI.
Here’s a list of the Questions Posed to FBI Director Christopher Wray during this interview.
I believe Director Wray personifies the FBI. His focus on the field, the men and women working throughout the country, showed his Fidelity. By visiting each division at least two if not three times, he demonstrated to his employers that he saw them. He recognized their commitment to the mission and the personal sacrifices they made to get the job done. His decision to sign off on investigations, searches, and arrests based on fact-based evidence, even though he knew it could lead to unfair claims of bias and possible dismissal from his position, highlights his Bravery. His determined leadership in the face of criticism, especially from former and retired agents, confirmed his Integrity.
During Director Wray’s recent All Employee Town Hall, where he announced he would step down, he said, “I’m honored and humbled to serve alongside you. And doing it all these years has been the greatest privilege of my life. For me, it’s always been about the people—all of you, the partners we do the work with, and the American people, the ones we do the work for.” He ended his remarks by saying to his employees, “Remember that you chose, and earned, this job. You chose and earned the privilege of serving your country. As we move into our next chapter, let’s stay focused—heads up, eyes forward, shoulder to shoulder.”
I salute Director Wray and wish him well.
FBI Website (VIDEO) – Director Wray’s Remarks for the FBI All-Employee Town Hall Address
I understand, for some, his tenure was controversial. Director Wray’s response to his critics is captured in this video clip.
Since Director Wray announced his resignation, I’ve heard from many agents, active and retired, as well as from listeners who are concerned about the future of the FBI. They recognize the importance of the FBI director position, and they have shared with me the qualifications they hope the next director will possess and exhibit. At the end of this episode, former podcast guest Jerome Lorrain from Episodes 262 and 313 shared his list with us.
FBI Director Qualifications
1. Possess an unquestionable loyalty to uphold the Constitution of the United States and protect the American People from all threats, both Domestic and Foreign.
2. Possess an established record of expertise in either Law Enforcement or Intelligence matters and who is widely recognized as one of America’s foremost leaders in these fields.
3. Have a history of Non-Partisan service to the United States and be someone who is respected by both Political Parties for being unbiased, honest and a defender of the Constitution, our Criminal Justice System and the Rule of Law.
4. Possess the ability to manage Public Corruption investigations at all levels of government, i.e., local, state and national, in a fair and unbiased manner, irrespective of the political party of the person involved.
5. Have managerial experience successfully leading an organization as large as the FBI, which has 38,000 employees and a budget of 11 billion dollars.
6. Have prior experience in high level Governmental management such as a Cabinet Level Position – CIA Director, Attorney General, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Homeland Security, Director of National Intelligence, Secretary of State
7. Have excelled as a Senior Law Enforcement Leader – Chief of Police, Sheriff, State Police Commander, DEA Administrator, etc.
8. Have honorably served as a General Officer Rank, i.e., General or above, in the United States Military.
9. Have honorably served as a U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor, State Attorney General or comparable high level managerial position.
10. Have a record which demonstrates the ability to respect our election process and the results therein and who is capable of honoring the will of the American People by serving as Director under multiple Presidencies, irrespective of whether the President is a duly elected Democrat or Republican and irrespective of whether the Attorney General is a Democrat or Republican.
To learn more about the important but precarious role of the FBI when investigating criminal matters with serious political implications, please listen or re-listen to 270: Oliver “Buck” Revell – The FBI and Politics, 1992 Presidential Campaign
It should be noted, during their careers, most FBI employees go about their duties with little concern about who the FBI director is or even visiting FBI headquarters. However, the director fosters employee morale and influences how the public views the FBI.
Except for Judge Webster, I’ve shaken hands and taken a photo with all the FBI directors I’ve worked under:
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