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Wednesday, June 7, 2017

President Trump reveals he will pick Christopher Wray as FBI director

President Trump has announced he will nominate former Justice Department official Christopher Wray as his pick for FBI director.

Mr Wray, a litigation lawyer with King & Spalding in Washington and Atlanta, previously served as assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department's Criminal Division from 2003 to 2005 under President George W Bush.

He was also New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's lawyer during the investigation into the George Washington Bridge lane-closure case.

Two former aides of Mr Christie were convicted of plotting to close bridge lanes to punish a Democratic mayor who would not endorse the Republican governor.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Trump said: "I will be nominating Christopher A Wray, a man of impeccable credentials, to be the new director of the FBI. Details to follow."

The US Senate has to approve the choice to replace James Comey, who was fired last month in the middle of the FBI investigation into alleged Russian interference in the US election.

:: Comey 'did not want to be alone with Trump'

The announcement also comes the day before Mr Comey is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on the investigation and on any potential ties between the Trump campaign or associates and Moscow.

Mr Comey is expected to dispute a claim by the US President that the then-FBI chief told him multiple times he was not under investigation over the Russia meddling.

He could also address claims that Mr Trump urged him to halt an investigation into formal national security adviser Michael Flynn and his ties to Moscow.

Mr Trump met last week with candidates for the FBI director post, including Mr Wray, according to White House spokesman Sean Spicer.

An NSA report leaked this week revealed repeated attempts by Russian military intelligence hackers to break into US voting systems before the presidential election last year.

The Trump administration quickly announced the arrest of 25-year-old intelligence contractor Reality Winner on espionage charges.



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