Trump hints DOJ may investigate ex-FBI Director Christopher Wray

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Ex-FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a House Judiciary Committee hearing about oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Capitol Hill July 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has hinted that the Department of Justice may investigate former FBI Director Christopher Wray days after pressuring the department to seek a grand jury indictment against James Comey, another former FBI director, with lying to Congress.

What they're saying:

Trump is demanding answers following reports that the FBI secretly placed 274 agents into the crowd during the January 6th Capitol protest, allegedly in violation of rules and protocols. 

RELATED: Former FBI Director James Comey charged with making false statements, obstruction

Trump said the disclosure directly contradicts Wray’s repeated testimony that the bureau had no such role in the events of that day.

"This is a total disgrace," Trump said in a social media post. "As it turns out, FBI agents were right there in the crowd—probably acting as agitators and insurrectionists, but certainly not as law enforcement. Many great American patriots paid a very big price only for the love of their country, and the American people deserve to know the truth. We can never let this happen again."

"I owe this investigation of 'Dirty Cops and Crooked Politicians' to them! Christopher Wray, the then Director of the FBI, has some major explaining to do," Trump added. 

Wray steps down amid tensions with Trump

The backstory:

Wray resigned before Trump took office earlier this year. 

Wray said at a town hall meeting that he would step down "after weeks of careful thought," roughly three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations, including two that led to separate indictments of Trump last year as well as inquiries into Biden and his son.

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies on Jan. 6 Capitol riot

FBI Director Chris Wray condemned the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Trump applauded the news on social media, calling it "a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice" and saying that Patel’s confirmation will begin "the process of Making the FBI Great Again."

Despite having appointed Wray, Trump had telegraphed his anger with the FBI director on multiple occasions throughout the year.

In a previous interview with NBC’s "Meet the Press" Trump said, "I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home," a reference to the FBI’s 2022 search of Trump’s Florida property, Mar-a-Lago, for classified documents from Trump’s first term as president.

Trump takes aim at political opponents

Big picture view:

Last week, Comey was indicted days after Trump appeared to urge his attorney general to prosecute the former FBI director and other perceived political enemies.

The indictment makes Comey the first former senior government official involved in one of Trump’s chief grievances, the long-concluded investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, to face prosecution. Trump has for years derided that investigation as a "hoax" and a "witch hunt" despite multiple government reviews showing Moscow interfered on behalf of the Republican’s campaign, and has made clear his desire for retribution.

Grand jury indicts ex-FBI Director James Comey

The US Department of Justice indicted former FBI director James Comey this week. Comey responded on social media saying he was innocent. Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor who currently serves as president of West Coast Trial Lawyers joined LiveNOW's Josh Breslow to discuss the charges against Comey.

The criminal case is likely to deepen concerns that the Justice Department under Attorney General Pam Bondi is being weaponized in pursuit of investigations and now prosecutions of public figures the president regards as his political enemies. It was filed as the White House has taken steps to exert influence in unprecedented ways on the department, blurring the line between law and politics at an agency where independence in prosecutorial decision-making is a foundational principle.

Comey was fired months into Trump’s first administration and since then has remained a top target for Trump supporters seeking retaliation related to the Russia investigation. He was singled out by name in a social media post in which Trump appeared to appeal directly to Bondi bring charges against Comey and complained that Justice Department investigations into his foes had not resulted in criminal cases.