Nearly every Republican presidential candidate has vowed to either reform the FBI’s upper echelons after taking office, enact sweeping structural reforms, or dismantle the FBI altogether.
Only one major Republican candidate, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, has made it clear that he will not fire FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott all He vowed to fire the secretary as part of an institutional reform plan. station. Two other candidates, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgham and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, told The Daily Caller that Wray’s removal could be on the table. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said he was open to “reform.”
Ramaswamy is Floating The most difficult position in the FBI. He “will dismantle the entire government agency,” spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told Kohler.
Trump, DeSantis, Haley, Pence and Scott have promised to fire Wray and other “corrupt” officials at the agency.
In President Trump’s second term, the “weaponized” department will be “totally overhauled” by “firing all the corrupt officials in the national security and intelligence agencies,” the former president said. Said In the campaign video in March. He also vowed to purge the investigators who investigated him.
Mr. DeSantis said he would “wipe out the upper echelons of both the Justice Department and the FBI.” was suggested relocate bureau headquarters from Washington DC
“We know our leadership has failed and we know we need new blood in it. We also need an Attorney General who is willing to fight the left, fight the left, and do what is right,” DeSantis said in his final policy call. problem.
Haley’s spokesman, Ken Fernaso, told Kohler that the former South Carolina governor was “removing Director Wray as part of a major overhaul that will take a hard look at both senior and middle management in the FBI and the Department of Justice. would,’ he said.
Farnaso added, “The double standard of justice in our country will end with the Haley administration.”
Pence’s advisers told Kohler that the former vice president, among other abuses, “targeted parents who sought to regain control over what their children were taught in school.” I think we have lost the trust and credibility of And in Richmond, Virginia, Christians are being targeted. Mr. Pence previously said, Said he will choose “Respected from both sides of the aisle” FBI director.
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 10: FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies at the Capitol in Washington, DC on May 10, 2023. I testify The hearing was to review 2024 funding requests for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (Photo Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“The FBI’s rank-and-file employees are good people,” Scott said at Iowa City Hall.
“There is a pervasive culture that distorts and destroys the integrity and competence of the American people, and it must be eradicated,” Scott added.
“I have no personal relationship with Director Ray. I believe,” Suarez told Kohler.
Bergum spokesman Lance Trover didn’t explicitly commit to replacing the agency’s head, but said the candidate would “do whatever it takes” to rebuild trust in the FBI.
“Governor. [sic] Our faith in institutions is the foundation of free and just societies, and as we have seen in failed countries, institutions cannot be allowed to be an extension of the political enforcement of the parties in power,” Trover said. . “If the American public mistrusts the Justice Department when he takes office, he will do whatever it takes to restore the American public’s trust in it and the other foundations of democracy. will do.”
Mr. Christie took a different position from previous FBI officials, saying he did not believe the FBI had been weaponized under President Joe Biden and would not fire Mr. Wray. The former governor endorsed Mr. Wray for a job under Trump.
But Mr. Christie said, “We need a change in the Justice Department,” and if he were president, “I can assure you that we will have an Attorney General who will lead without fear or favor and wipe out the Justice Department.” ‘ said. Anyone who exhibits partisanship. “
The FBI told Kohler that it would not comment on candidates seeking the removal of Mr. Wray.
