January 22, 2018
FBI Director Christopher Wray threatened to resign after Attorney General Jeff Sessions pressured him to remove FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, Axios reported Monday.
Wray reportedly told Sessions that he would resign if McCabe was removed from his post.
Sessions also reportedly told White House counsel Don McGahn about Wray's response to the pressure for him to fire McCabe. McGahn replied by telling Sessions that McCabe wasn't worth losing Wray, according to Axios.
If Wray had resigned, he would be the second FBI director to leave President Trump's administration, after Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey.
White House spokesman RaJ Shah said that Trump "believes politically-motivated senior leaders including former Director Comey and others he empowered have tainted the agency's reputation for unbiased pursuit of justice.
"The president appointed Chris Wray because he is a man of true character and integrity and the right choice to clean up the misconduct at the highest levels of the FBI and give the rank and file confidence in their leadership," Shah said.
Republicans have harshly criticized McCabe over the FBI's handling of the probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, as well as the investigation into Russian election interference.
Several GOP lawmakers have called for McCabe to be removed from the agency. He was interviewed by congressional committees behind closed doors for hours last month.
McCabe is also reportedly planning on retiring from the job in March, when he will be eligible for full pension benefits.
Trump also attacked McCabe on Twitter last month.
FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is racing the clock to retire with full benefits. 90 days to go?!!!
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2017
How can FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the man in charge, along with leakin' James Comey, of the Phony Hillary Clinton investigation (including her 33,000 illegally deleted emails) be given $700,000 for wife's campaign by Clinton Puppets during investigation?
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2017
Courtesy/Source: The Hill
