“Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker pressed President-elect Donald Trump on whether he will fire FBI Director Christopher Wray during a Friday interview which aired Sunday.
Trump nominated Kash Patel to serve as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Nov. 30, despite the fact that Wray, who the president-elect appointed during his first term, has yet to end his appointment. Noting that, the NBC News host asked Trump whether he plans to fire Wray.
“Well, I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home — I’m suing the country over it,” Trump responded. “He invaded Mar-a-Lago.”
NBC: Will you fire Christopher Wray?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “It would sort of seem pretty obvious that if @Kash_Patel gets in, he’s going to be taking somebody’s place, right? That somebody is the man you’re talking about.” pic.twitter.com/dYQwfx5l5O
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 8, 2024
On Aug. 8, 2022, the FBI raided Trump’s Florida estate over the alleged mishandling of classified documents in a case since dismissed over the legality of special counsel Jack Smith’s appointment.
“I’m very unhappy with the things he’s done and crime is at an all-time high. Migrants are pouring into the country that are from prisons and from mental institutions, as we’ve discussed,” the incoming president told Welker. (RELATED: ‘They Came In Illegally’: Trump Clashes With’Meet The Press’ Host Over Deportation Promises)
“I can’t say I’m thrilled. I don’t want to say — again,” Trump continued, taking a more stern tone of voice. “I don’t want to be Joe Biden and give you an answer and then do the exact opposite.”
Trump was referencing President Joe Biden’s Dec. 1 pardoning of his son, Hunter, after repeatedly claiming he would never do it.
Welker tried interjecting as Trump spoke undeterred, telling her again how dissatisfied he was with Wray’s conduct. He recalled the FBI director’s initial apparent downplay of the assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania in July.
“You take a look at what’s happened. And then when I was shot in the ear, he said, ‘Oh, maybe it was shrapnel.’ Where’s the shrapnel coming from?” Trump questioned. “Is it coming from heaven? I don’t think so.”
Welker tried again, asking if Wray must be fired to make way for Patel, a question which Trump punted.
“It would sort of seem pretty obvious that if Kash gets in he’s gonna be taking somebody’s place, right? The somebody is the man that you’re talking about,” he answered.
