Washington, DC – During a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) voted in favor of President Donald Trump’s pick for Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Christopher Wray. Judiciary Committee members advanced Wray’s nomination by a unanimous vote. Whitehouse released the following statement on the vote:
“I have carefully reviewed Christopher Wray’s record as an attorney, his testimony before the Committee, and his responses to our written questions, and I voted for him to serve as the next Director of the Bureau of Investigation.
“Mr. Wray has the qualifications for the job. He knows the Justice Department—its traditions, high standards, and exceptional people. He is no politician. He knows law enforcement. But he needed to convince us of more, as the President applies increasing pressure and threats to the Department’s independence. It was vital that Mr. Wray make clear his allegiance is to the rule of law, the attorneys and law enforcement officials with whom he would serve, and, ultimately, the American people. He did just that.
“Should he be confirmed, Mr. Wray has assured this Committee that he will not bend if pressured by the President or his administration. He must not.”
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