Christopher Wray’s announcement of his resignation as FBI Director signals the end of a tumultuous chapter for the agency under his leadership, with President-elect Donald Trump poised to reshape the bureau under the direction of his nominee, Kash Patel.

Wray’s decision to step down ahead of Trump’s inauguration is no surprise, given the relentless criticism he has faced from Trump and congressional Republicans for what they describe as political bias, mismanagement, and weaponization of the FBI.

Wray’s tenure as FBI Director, beginning with his 2017 appointment by Trump, has been fraught with controversy. His stewardship saw the bureau involved in high-profile and politically charged investigations, including the raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, probes into pro-life activists, and alleged targeting of conservative figures. These actions fueled accusations of bias from Republicans and drew whistleblower complaints about internal abuses of power.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), set to chair the Senate Judiciary Committee, did not mince words in a recent letter to Wray, declaring a “vote of no confidence” in his leadership and calling for him and Deputy Director Paul Abbate to step aside. Grassley’s harsh critique reflected broader GOP dissatisfaction with Wray’s handling of the bureau.

Trump’s criticism of Wray has been unequivocal, accusing the FBI under his leadership of engaging in politically motivated actions designed to undermine him and his allies. In a social media post, Trump hailed Wray’s resignation as a “great day for America,” expressing optimism that Kash Patel’s confirmation as the next director would mark a turning point for the agency. Trump’s promise to “restore the Rule of Law for all Americans” underscores his intention to dismantle what he sees as the FBI’s partisan legacy.

Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee for the position, brings a track record of loyalty to Trump and experience from his time at the Department of Defense and National Security Council. Patel’s nomination has been well-received by Republican senators, with a smooth confirmation process anticipated. Patel has pledged to be ready to lead the FBI “on day one,” signaling his commitment to reforming the bureau’s culture and operations.

While Wray’s decision to resign rather than face dismissal might seem conciliatory, reports suggest he is not leaving quietly. Sources within the bureau indicate that Wray has been promoting senior executive service members to entrench establishment figures in leadership roles.

This tactic, known as “burrowing,” is seen as a way to resist potential reforms under Patel. Furthermore, a plan reportedly in development aims to delay Patel’s full assumption of the director’s role by three to four months after Wray’s departure.

Such maneuvers reflect a deep institutional resistance to Trump’s agenda for the FBI, highlighting the uphill battle Patel may face in implementing changes. While Wray has defended these actions as protecting the FBI’s independence and objectivity, critics argue that they perpetuate the very issues Republicans have decried for years.