[h=1]Trump's choice as FBI director is confirmed: Christopher Wray is backed by Senate to take over from fired James Comey[/h]
Former federal prosecutor and specialist in white-collar crime Christopher Wray will lead the FBI after Senate approved him 92-5
50-year-old has been praised by Republicans and Democrats with California Democrat Dianne Feinstein saying he had a 'steel spine'
Will be sworn in and take over agency rocked by the sacking of James Comey after troubled relationship with president and decision to clear Hillary Clinton
As a lawyer in private practice he represented Chris Christie during Bridgegate
President Donald Trump's choice to replace James Comey as head of the FBI received Senate confirmation on Tuesday The Senate voted 92-5 for the nomination of Christopher Wray, the former high-ranking official in President George W. Bush's Justice Department who oversaw investigations into corporate fraud. The 50-year-old Wray inherits the FBI at a particularly challenging time given Trump's firing of Comey, who was admired within the bureau. Wray won unanimous support from the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, with Republicans and Democrats praising his promise never to let politics get in the way of the bureau's mission.
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Confirmed: Christopher Wray, 50, was backed by the Senate as FBI Director. He can expect to be sworn in shortly, giving the FBI a director for the first time since James Comey was fired
'Beyond credentials, I believe Mr. Wray has the right view of the job,' said Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. Wray will replace Comey, who was abruptly fired by Trump in May amid an investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election and possible ties to Trump's campaign. The Judiciary panel is also investigating Russian interference. At his confirmation hearing, Wray told senators he 'sure as heck' would not offer a pledge of loyalty to the president. Asserting his independence, he said, 'My loyalty is to the Constitution and the rule of law. Those have been my guideposts throughout my career, and I will continue to adhere to them no matter the test.' Democrats said Wray has the qualifications and independence to lead the bureau. The top Democrat on the panel, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, said Wray 'has the strength and fortitude to stand up and do what it is right when tested.'
Got his man: Christopher Wray was Trump's choice for the leadership of the FBI
She added: 'We need leaders with steel spines, not weak knees, and I am hopeful that Mr. Wray will be just such a leader.' The five no-votes all came from the left wing of the Democratic caucus. They were Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, the two senators from Massachusetts; Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, the two senators from Oregon; and Kirsten Gillibrand, the junior senator from New York. Wray has worked on white-collar crime and regulatory cases as a partner at the King & Spalding law firm. From May 2001 to May 2005, he held various high-ranking positions in the Justice Department, rising to the head of the criminal division in September 2003. He also served as principal associate deputy attorney general. He was a federal prosecutor in the U.S. attorney's office for the Northern District of Georgia from May 1997 to May 2001. Wray had represented New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the so-called Bridgegate scandal.
