FBI Director Warns Against Controversial Trump Plan Impacting Law Enforcement
(Reuters)
FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a stark warning on Wednesday about a controversial right-wing plan for Donald Trump’s potential second term, emphasizing the negative impact it could have on law enforcement.
During a House Judiciary Committee hearing focused on the attempted assassination of Trump, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) questioned Wray about the dangers of Project 2025, a presidential transition initiative organized by the Heritage Foundation.
“What he wants to do is to force the FBI director to report directly to him,” Johnson said of the plan. “That’s what he wants to do within the first 120 days. He also wants to eliminate the position of FBI General Counsel.”
Wray explained the critical role of the FBI’s Office of General Counsel, stating, “The idea of having an organization like ours, an independent law enforcement agency, that doesn’t have its own general counsel’s office doesn’t make sense to me.”
Johnson noted, “That seems like it’s an attempt to neuter the FBI and render it accountable only to the president.” Wray acknowledged that while he serves at the pleasure of the president, Project 2025 would undermine the FBI’s independence. “We need to be able to do our work in a way that is free from political interference,” he pointed out.
Johnson further probed, “You wouldn’t be able to do that by reporting everything you do to the president and getting his authority and approval before you take action, correct?” “I don’t think that would be a wise approach,” Wray agreed.
Johnson also highlighted another concerning aspect of Project 2025: replacing 38,000 civil servants in the FBI with individuals loyal to Trump. “It would be crazy to take 38,000 MAGA loyalists and put them at the FBI,” Johnson argued. “That’s frightening.”
Wray did not endorse this part of the plan either, signaling his disapproval. “That’s what Project 2025 proposes, and I’m glad to know that you are not with that program,” Johnson concluded.
The exchange underscored the serious implications of Project 2025 for the FBI’s operational integrity and independence. Wray’s comments reflect a broader concern about maintaining the nonpartisan nature of federal law enforcement amid political pressures and controversial proposals.
