Veteran agent named acting FBI director pending Senate confirmation of Trump’s pick for post

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Monday named a veteran agent as acting FBI director, following the official who was expected to lead the bureau on an interim basis following the departure of Christopher Wray retired after almost 30 years.

Brian Driscoll has been chosen to lead the FBI pending Senate confirmation. Kash Patelwho is President Donald Trump’s choice for director. The move came hours after Paul Abbate, who served as Wray’s deputy for the past four years and was set to become interim director, announced to colleagues in an email that he was retiring.

“When the director asked me to stay beyond my mandatory date for a brief period, I did so to ensure continuity and the best transition for the FBI. Now, with new leadership coming in, after nearly four years as Deputy, I am leaving the FBI today,” Abbate wrote in the email obtained by The Associated Press.

Abbate’s abrupt departure after a 28-year career with the FBI creates yet another transition for a law enforcement agency that was already bracing for upheaval in the event Patel is confirmed. A Trump loyalist, Patel has repeatedly criticized the FBI’s leadership and decision-making and alarmed Democrats with statements suggesting he would be willing to use the FBI to retaliate against Trump’s adversaries.

Abbate’s email did not identify who might succeed him, but the White House included Driscoll on a list of officials tapped to lead agencies in an interim capacity. Driscoll was named by Wray last week as special agent in charge of the Newark field office and had previously served as commander of the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team.

Wray’s last day was Sunday, making Abbate acting manager, although he only remained in that role for one day.

Abbate has served in a variety of leadership roles during his nearly three-decade career at the FBI, including chief of the Detroit and Washington field offices and executive assistant director for the Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch. He was named Deputy Director, the No. 2 position responsible for the FBI’s investigative activities, in 2021.

“As you move forward, stay true to our core values, be there for our partners, and care for those who serve alongside you. Thank you for your service,” Abbate wrote.

Wray was appointed by Trump during his first term and had been director for more than seven years. Wray announced his retirement last monthmore than a week after Trump said he wanted Patel to be director.