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Christopher Wray

Christopher Asher Wray is an American attorney and government official who served as the eighth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 2017 to 2025.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Christopher Asher Wray served as the eighth director of the FBI from August 2, 2017 to January 20, 2025. He was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Wray's tenure mattered to Canadian readers due to the FBI's close cooperation with Canadian law enforcement on cross-border crime, counterterrorism, cybercrime, and intelligence sharing.

Early life and education

Christopher Wray was born in New York City on December 17, 1966. He studied at Yale University and earned his law degree from Yale Law School.

Wray began his career in the Department of Justice in 1997 as an assistant U.S. attorney in Atlanta. He later held senior Justice Department roles and also worked in private legal practice, including at King & Spalding.

FBI director

Wray became the eighth director of the FBI on August 2, 2017, after being nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate. Federal law sets the FBI director term at 10 years, but Wray resigned in January 2025.

Post-FBI role

After leaving the FBI, Wray was identified by the Hoover Institution as a distinguished visiting fellow.

Key facts

  • Wray served as FBI director from August 2017 to January 2025.
  • He was appointed by President Donald Trump to replace James Comey.
  • The U.S. Senate confirmed him on July 30, 2017.
  • He began his legal career in the Department of Justice in 1997 as an assistant U.S. attorney.
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Canadian context

Christopher Wray’s tenure mattered to Canadian readers because the FBI works closely with Canadian law enforcement on cross-border crime, counterterrorism, cybercrime, and intelligence sharing.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Christopher Wray?
Christopher Wray is an American attorney and former FBI director who led the bureau from 2017 to 2025.
When did Christopher Wray serve as FBI director?
He served from August 2, 2017, to January 20, 2025.
Who appointed Christopher Wray to lead the FBI?
President Donald Trump nominated Wray to replace James Comey.
Where did Christopher Wray study?
He attended Yale University and Yale Law School.
What did Christopher Wray do before the FBI?
He worked at the Department of Justice and later in private practice, including at King & Spalding.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_A._Wray
    Supports: Birth date; FBI director term; nomination and resignation timeline
  2. Federal Bureau of Investigation — https://www.fbi.gov/history/directors/christopher-wray
    Supports: Birthplace; education; FBI directorship dates; career background
  3. Federal Bureau of Investigation — https://www.fbi.gov/history/directors
    Supports: Wray as former FBI director and succession context
  4. PBS NewsHour — https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/senate-confirms-wray-fbi-director
    Supports: Senate confirmation; earlier Justice Department and private practice background
  5. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40191283
    Supports: Private practice background; nomination context
  6. Hoover Institution — https://www.hoover.org/profiles/christopher-wray
    Supports: Post-FBI role as distinguished visiting fellow