President Trump will skip the ceremony for newly appointed FBI Director Christopher Wray to avoid contacts with key figures in the ongoing Russia probe, the White House told Newsweek on Wednesday.

Trump will be breaking the precedent established by past presidents in not attending the ceremony on Thursday, where he could likely encounter special counsel Robert Mueller, a former FBI director who is now leading the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

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The president will also avoid a possible run-in with former FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump fired earlier this year. Former FBI directors usually attend the ceremony for new directors.

Christopher Wray was sworn in as FBI director in August by Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsGOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status MORE after being confirmed in the Senate by a 92-5 vote. Sessions, who will also attend the ceremony, has recused himself from the investigation into Russian meddling, passing the reigns to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.