FBI must be independent and above the partisan fray, outgoing director says in farewell address

Outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray says the bureau must remain independent, above the partisan fray and “committed to upholding the rule of law." He spoke Friday at a farewell ceremony just days before his expected retirement at the conclusion of the Biden administration following more than seven years on the job. The remarks steered clear of any direct political reference, with no overt mention of President-elect Donald Trump’s scathing criticism of him or the turmoil the bureau has encountered amid a spate of highly charged investigations. Trump last month forced Wray’s departure by naming loyalist Kash Patel to the job. Critics say Patel could seek to use the FBI’s law enforcement powers to exact retribution against adversaries.