FBI chief sees no evidence of White House interference in Russia probe

[webfact]

FBI chief sees no evidence of White House interference in Russia probe

By Sarah N. Lynch

 

Christopher Wray is sworn in prior to testifying before a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be the next FBI director on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos

 

BarriaWASHINGTON (Reuters) - FBI Director Christopher Wray said on Thursday he has "not detected any whiff of interference" by the White House into the ongoing investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

 

Speaking publicly for the first time since being confirmed as head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wray also expressed confidence in Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating whether President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Russia during the election.

 

"I can say very confidently that I have not detected any whiff of interference with that investigation," Wray said during a panel discussion at the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Washington.

 

Wray was installed as FBI director after his predecessor, James Comey, was fired by Trump in May. In an interview with NBC after Comey's removal, Trump admitted he was thinking about "this Russia thing" when he decided to fire the then-FBI chief.

 

Comey later told Congress he believed Trump had tried to get him to drop an FBI probe into former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, as part of the broader Russia investigation - testimony that has raised questions about whether Trump was potentially trying to obstruct justice.

 

The White House has repeatedly denied the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in the election.

 

Trump's advisers and allies also have questioned Mueller's independence and credibility, with some pointing out that he has hired attorneys who have given political donations to Democrats.

 

But Wray said he has "enormous respect" for Mueller, who is also a former FBI director. He stressed that Mueller is running the probe but said the FBI is assisting by dedicating agents and providing other support to the investigation.

 

Wray also reiterated his confidence in a January report compiled by U.S. intelligence agencies which concluded that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election and tried to tilt it in Trump's favour - a finding Trump has often questioned.

 

Prior to his confirmation as FBI director, Wray had only read a non-classified version of the report.

 

"I have no reason to doubt the conclusions that the hard- working people who put that together came to," Wray said.

 

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Paul Simao)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-09-08

[quandow]

Yeah - firing the former FBI chief doesn't constitute a "whiff," it's more like a hurricane.

[Rancid]

Therein lies the problem with political appointees, if its from your team they are honest and capable, if appointed by the opposition team then lying incompetents. If the day comes that you realize both teams are on the nose, then actual clarification and enlightenment ensues.

[thehelmsman]

Sorry guys.

[iReason]

Selective Anosmia.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

In an interview with NBC after Comey's removal, Trump admitted he was thinking about "this Russia thing" when he decided to fire the then-FBI chief.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Wray also reiterated his confidence in a January report compiled by U.S. intelligence agencies which concluded that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election and tried to tilt it in Trump's favour - a finding Trump has often questioned.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

"I have no reason to doubt the conclusions that the hard- working people who put that together came to," Wray said.

 

TRUMP FBI PICK CHRIS WRAY WORKED ON RUSSIA CASE BUT DELETED IT FROM HIS COMPANY BIO

"As early as 2009, Wray’s profile for law firm King and Spalding described his clients and included the line: “An energy company president in a criminal investigation by Russian authorities.”

 

"The firm said that Wray made the changes in January but that he wasn’t the only attorney to work on the case over the years for a client the firm would not name."

 

"Wray represented New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in the infamous “Bridgegate” scandal and is reportedly still working for Christie, the Asbury Park Press reported Monday."

http://www.newsweek.com/trump-fbi-wray-russia-627587

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/20/politics/kfile-fbi-nominee-law-firm-bio/index.html

http://web.archive.org/web/20161118122237/http://www.kslaw.com/people/Christopher-Wray

Edited September 8, 2017 by iReason