Trump made FBI pick without briefing key lawmakers

Nicole Gaudiano and Eliza Collins | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Who is Christopher Wray? Christopher Wray to replace former FBI Director James Comey.

WASHINGTON — President Trump did not brief key lawmakers before announcing on Twitter Wednesday his pick to replace James Comey, the former FBI director who was fired last month while leading the investigation of possible Trump campaign ties to Russia.

Trump tweeted his decision to nominate as FBI director Christopher Wray, a former Justice Department official whom House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin said he doesn’t know.

“I don’t know the guy, but I’ve looked at his résumé, he seems like the right person,” Ryan told reporters.

Ryan said he was not consulted on Trump’s decision, while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office was more vague. When USA TODAY asked McConnell spokesman David Popp whether McConnell was aware an announcement would be made today, Popp responded: “I’ll let you know if I have any readouts to share.”

Eight hours after Trump's tweet, McConnell issued a statement, calling Wray "more than qualified and quite capable of shouldering this important responsibility. "

Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer of New York was not briefed, and neither were other key Democrats, including the Senate Judiciary Committee’s former chairman and most senior member, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, or its current ranking member, Dianne Feinstein of California.

Feinstein spoke with Trump weeks ago about the topic but was not given a heads-up on Trump's choice, according to her office.

Once Wray is officially nominated, the committee will hold a hearing and the Senate will vote on his confirmation. Democrats indicated Wray's ability to be independent from the Trump administration will be key.

Trump has suggested that he fired Comey in part because of his frustrations over the Russia probe. Former FBI director Robert Mueller was appointed as a special counsel to lead the investigation following an outcry from Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans.

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Leahy said he is interested in Wray’s ability to be “independent and resist presidential pressure at a time when the White House has repeatedly tried to interfere with the FBI.”

Comey reportedly kept notes alleging that Trump pressured him to shut down part of his investigation — a topic that’s certain to be addressed when Comey testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday.

Leahy said the Judiciary Committee “must get to the bottom of that interference as part of evaluating Mr. Wray’s nomination.”

Another committee Democrat, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut tweeted, “FBI nominee Wray has solid credentials — now this job will require independence & guts to stand up to political interference.”

Ryan said Wray seems to be “the perfect kind of person” to take over the FBI helm.

“I thought we should have a career person take over the FBI, someone with a deep bench of experience and he certainly seems to fit that,” Ryan said.

Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, who is heading up the House Intelligence Committee's investigation into Russian election meddling, said he had no advance notice.

“I did not, in fact, y'all surprised me on the way in,” Conaway told reporters. “It appears from the reading of his bio he’s a great choice — he’s got the right credentials."

It is also not clear how much notice Trump gave other White House officials.

Trump's tweet was the sole notice about Wray for several hours. It wasn't until after noon that the White House issued an official statement announcing the nomination.

Contributing: David Jackson