WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed former Justice Department lawyer Christopher Wray as FBI chief, nearly three months after the agency’s previous director, James Comey, was fired by President Donald Trump.

Wray, who was confirmed by vote of 92-5, will take charge of the country’s top domestic law enforcement agency during a federal probe into allegations of collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia.

Since the dismissal of Comey on May 9, the Justice Department has appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the investigation with the help of the FBI. Russia denies any interference, and Trump has denied collusion with Russia.

Wray vowed in his confirmation hearing last month to remain independent and not be swayed by politics or pressure from the president. He also praised Muller as the “consummate straight shooter.”

He also worked with Comey on the government’s case in the Enron Corp fraud scandal in the early 2000s.

During the confirmation hearing, Republican Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said Wray’s background showed he was committed to independence, an attribute he said was “vitally important” in the next FBI director.

Wray served as assistant attorney general in charge of the criminal division at the Justice Department under former Republican President George W. Bush.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, both Democrats who served under President Barack Obama, endorsed Wray.</s>WASHINGTON (AP) – The Latest on the Senate vote to confirm Christopher Wray as FBI director (all times EDT):

The Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as FBI director.

Tuesday’s vote was 92-5 for Christopher Wray. The lawyer is a former high-ranking official in President George W. Bush’s Justice Department who oversaw investigations into corporate fraud.

He will replace James Comey, who was fired by Trump in early May amid the investigation into Russia meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with officials of the Trump campaign.

The 50-year-old Wray inherits the FBI at a particularly challenging time given Trump’s ousting of Comey, who was admired within the bureau.

Wray had represented New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the so-called Bridgegate scandal.

President Donald Trump’s choice to replace James Comey as head of the FBI is heading toward Senate confirmation.

The Senate is slated to vote Tuesday evening on the nomination of Christopher Wray. The former Justice Department official won unanimous support from the Judiciary Committee last month, with Republicans and Democrats praising his promise never to let politics get in the way of the bureau’s mission.

Wray would replace Comey, who was abruptly fired by Trump in May amid an investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election and possible ties to the Trump campaign.

Wray, 50, would inherit the FBI at a particularly challenging time given the firing of Comey, who was admired within the bureau.

Wray had represented New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the so-called Bridgegate scandal.</s>WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate confirms Christopher Wray to be FBI director, replacing James Comey, who was fired by President Donald Trump.</s>The Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as FBI director.Tuesday's vote was 92-5 for Christopher Wray. The lawyer is a former high-ranking official in President George W. Bush's Justice Department who oversaw investigations into corporate fraud.He will replace James Comey, who was fired by Trump in early May amid the investigation into Russia meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with officials of the Trump campaign.The 50-year-old Wray inherits the FBI at a particularly challenging time given Trump's ousting of Comey, who was admired within the bureau.Wray had represented New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the so-called Bridgegate scandal.</s>The US Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump's nominee Christopher Wray to serve as FBI director.

The vote on Tuesday was 92-5 for Mr Wray, a lawyer who is a former high-ranking official in President George W Bush's justice department who oversaw investigations into corporate fraud.

He will replace James Comey, who was fired by Mr Trump in early May amid the investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with officials of the Trump campaign.

Mr Wray, 50, inherits the FBI at a particularly challenging time given Mr Trump's ousting of Mr Comey, who was admired within the bureau.</s>WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Christopher Wray to lead the FBI, replacing James Comey, who was abruptly fired by President Donald Trump amid the investigation into Russia meddling in last year's presidential election.

The vote was 92-5 for Wray, a former high-ranking official in President George W. Bush's Justice Department who oversaw investigations into corporate fraud. Wray, 50, inherits an FBI at a particularly challenging time given Trump's ousting of Comey, who was admired within the bureau.

"This is a tough time to take this tough job," Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said during Senate debate of the nomination. "The previous FBI director, as we know, was fired because of the Russia investigation. The former acting attorney general was fired. And we've had a slew of other firings throughout the government over the last few months."

Wray won unanimous support from the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, with Republicans and Democrats praising his promise never to let politics get in the way of the bureau's mission.

Asserting his independence at his confirmation hearing, Wray said: "My loyalty is to the Constitution and the rule of law. Those have been my guideposts throughout my career, and I will continue to adhere to them no matter the test."

Trump roiled Washington in May, firing Comey in the midst of his 10-year term as the FBI was investigating Russia's role in the election and possible ties to Trump campaign officials.

Wray has worked on white-collar crime and regulatory cases as a partner at the King & Spalding law firm. From May 2001 to May 2005, he held various high-ranking positions in the Justice Department, rising to the head of the criminal division in September 2003. He also served as principal associate deputy attorney general.

 He was a federal prosecutor in the U.S. attorney's office for the Northern District of Georgia from May 1997 to May 2001.

"Mr. Wray possesses the skill, the character and the unwavering commitment to impartial enforcement of the law that we need in a FBI Director," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

 The top Democrat on the panel, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, said Wray "has the strength and fortitude to stand up and do what it is right when tested."

She added, "We need leaders with steel spines, not weak knees, and I am hopeful that Mr. Wray will be just such a leader."

Wray had represented New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the so-called Bridgegate scandal.</s>The Senate voted today to confirm Christopher Wray to lead the FBI, replacing James ‘leaker’ Comey, who was abruptly fired by President Donald Trump for poor job performance and pushing political objectives through the FBI.

Post firing Mr. Comey admitted to leaking FBI information, including his own notes, to various media sources in an effort to push his own political objectives.

The confirmation vote was 92-5. Mr. Wray had previously represented New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in the so-called Bridgegate scandal. The five senators who voted against Mr. Wray included Democrats Ron Wyden, Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren.</s>Christopher Wray inherits the job at a challenging time given Trump's ousting of Comey, who was admired within the FBI.

The US senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly confirmed Christopher Wray to lead the FBI, replacing James Comey, who was abruptly fired by US President Donald Trump amid the investigation into Russian meddling in last year's presidential election.

The vote was 92-5 for Wray, a former high-ranking official in President George W. Bush's Justice Department who oversaw investigations into corporate fraud. Wray, 50, inherits the FBI at a particularly challenging time given Trump's ousting of Comey, who was admired within the bureau.

"This is a tough time to take this tough job," Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said during a relatively low-key Senate debate of the nomination. "The previous FBI director, as we know, was fired because of the Russia investigation. The former acting attorney general was fired. And we've had a slew of other firings throughout the government over the last few months."

Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska said after the vote, "Chris Wray will bring character and competence to a city that is hemorrhaging public trust."

Wray won unanimous support from the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, with Republicans and Democrats praising his promise never to let politics get in the way of the bureau's mission.

Asserting his independence at his confirmation hearing, Wray said: "My loyalty is to the constitution and the rule of law. Those have been my guideposts throughout my career, and I will continue to adhere to them no matter the test."

'We need leaders with steel spines'

Trump roiled Washington on May 9 by firing Comey in the midst of his 10-year term as the FBI chief and as the law enforcement agency was investigating Russia's role in the election and possible collusion with Trump campaign officials.

Andrew McCabe has served as acting FBI director during the nearly three-month interim period.

Wray has worked on white-collar crime and regulatory cases as a partner at the King & Spalding law firm.

From May 2001 to May 2005, he held various high-ranking positions in the Justice Department, rising to the head of the criminal division in September 2003. He also served as principal associate deputy attorney general.

He was a federal prosecutor in the US attorney's office for the Northern District of Georgia from May 1997 to May 2001. Wray had represented New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in the so-called Bridgegate scandal.

Wray is a graduate of Yale University, where he also received his law degree in 1992.

"Mr. Wray possesses the skill, the character and the unwavering commitment to impartial enforcement of the law that we need in a FBI director," said Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

The top Democrat on the panel, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, said Wray "has the strength and fortitude to stand up and do what it is right when tested."

She added, "We need leaders with steel spines, not weak knees, and I am hopeful that Mr. Wray will be just such a leader."

Commenting on the vote, Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said: "Today's bipartisan show of support is indicative of Wray's professionalism and commitment to independence. I have no doubt the FBI is in good hands with Mr. Wray at the helm."</s>Christopher Wray is sworn-in to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on his nomination to be Director of the FBI . (AAP)

The US Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Christopher Wray as the new director of the FBI on Tuesday, three months after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor James Comey.

The high-flying criminal lawyer was an uncontroversial choice for the post, winning widespread bipartisan backing after telling lawmakers he would rather resign than bow to political interference. Senators voted 92-5 to confirm him.

He assumes charge at a difficult time for the FBI.

Comey's sacking had led to accusations Trump was attempting to impede an investigation into links between his aides and Russia during last year's presidential election, which led to the appointment of independent prosecutor Robert Mueller as a special counsel.

Wray's first challenge will likely be to reassure the bureau's more than 30,000 employees of his commitment to their independence, after insisting to lawmakers he would be his own man.

"You can't do a job like this without being prepared to either quit or be fired at a moment's notice you're asked to do something or confronted with something that is either illegal, unconstitutional or even morally repugnant," he told the Senate Judiciary Committee last month.

"You have to be able to stand firm to your principles."

Born into a family of New York lawyers, Wray, 50, graduated from Yale Law School and was a Justice Department prosecutor for years.

In 2003, he rose up to assistant attorney general in charge of the criminal division, where he mostly oversaw fraud investigations, including the huge case of Enron, the Texas energy firm that imploded with billions of dollars of losses tied to corruption.

In 2005, he resigned to join private practice as a partner at King & Spalding law firm in Washington and Atlanta.

Wray has represented major companies in litigation but also, most recently, worked for Trump ally Chris Christie in the so-called "Bridgegate" political scandal in New Jersey.

FBI chiefs have alternately bolstered and made life miserable for presidents over decades. In the 1990s, Bill Clinton's eight years in office were plagued by investigations led by Louis Freeh, whom he personally chose to run the agency.</s>Christopher Wray will be the next director of the FBI, as the Senate has confirmed his nomination in a bipartisan vote. President Donald Trump has accused the acting FBI director Andrew McCabe of having close ties to Hillary Clinton.The Tuesday vote tally was 92 to 5.Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, noted before the Tuesday floor vote that she was encouraged by Wray's testimony against waterboarding, stress positions, forced nudity and mock executions, which he said constituted torture.Wray's independence and the rule of law, however, "sadly will likely be tested by this administration," Feinstein said, alluding to the Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller.Wray, 50, was the US assistant attorney general for the criminal division from 2003 to 2005 under former President George W. Bush.Wray's nomination was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 20. During that hearing, Senator Sam Nunn (D-Georgia) described Wray as someone with an "unwavering commitment to the rule of law."Senators had asked Wray if he would be an independent law enforcer or one tied to his boss."Nobody asked me for a loyalty oath, and I didn't offer one," Wray said multiple times, adding, "My loyalty is to the Constitution and the rule of law."Trump announced the impending nomination of Wray on June 7, about one month after firing James Comey.Late last month, Trump accused acting FBI director Andrew McCabe of being too close to Hillary Clinton, citing McCabe's wife's run for a Virginia State Senate seat supported by Clinton associates.During his committee hearing, Wray denied reports that he had reviewed a 2004 Department of Justice memorandum on enhanced interrogation techniques, or torture. He also said that "torture is wrong, it's unacceptable, it's illegal, and I think it's ineffective."Wray also made a point to credit Muslim-Americans with providing "some of the best leads we ever got."
The United States Senate, in a 92–5 vote, confirms Christopher A. Wray as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.