Trump taps seasoned law enforcement attorney to head FBI

The announcement came a day ahead of the ousted FBI director's blockbuster congressional testimony about the investigation into the Trump campaign's possible connections with Russia.

Wray rose to head the Justice Department's criminal division in the Bush administration and oversaw investigations into corporate fraud, at a time when Comey was deputy attorney general.

Wray took charge of a task force of prosecutors and FBI agents created to investigate the Enron scandal.

"Christopher Wray's legal credentials and law enforcement background certainly make him a suitable candidate to lead the FBI," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Wray, saying his "impressive credentials make him more than ready for the sober task of leading the FBI in fulfilling its law enforcement and national security missions, especially at a time when our country faces so many serious threats both at home and abroad."

Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat on the Judiciary panel, said he, too, was encouraged that Trump's pick is a veteran of law enforcement "rather than a career in partisan politics, as was rumored over the past several weeks."

Wray's nomination is sure to be caught up by questions from both parties — but especially Democrats — over whether he will be able to be independent of Trump, how he will handle the investigation into Russia's election meddling and how he will interact with special counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading that probe.