Donald Trump picks Christopher Wray as new FBI director, replacing James Comey

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump says he’ll nominate a former Justice Department official to replace James Comey as FBI director.

In this January 12, 2005 file photo, then assistant Attorney-General, Christopher Wray, is pictured. Wray is Donald Trump’s choice to be FBI director. Picture: AP

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump says he’ll nominate a former Justice Department official as FBI director.

Mr Trump tweeted that his choice — lawyer Christopher Wray — is “a man of impeccable credentials.”

I will be nominating Christopher A. Wray, a man of impeccable credentials, to be the new Director of the FBI. Details to follow.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2017

There’s no more information in the two-sentence tweet that ends, “Details to follow.”

Mr Wray emerged from a list of former prosecutors, politicians and law enforcement officials interviewed by Mr Trump since the president fired FBI Director James Comey last month.

Mr Wray works at the King & Spalding law firm.

(FILES) This file photo taken on August 20, 2004 shows then US Attorney-General John Ashcroft (C) along with US Attorney-General for the Criminal Division, Christopher Wray (L), and US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Patrick Fitzgerald. Picture: AFP

He represented New Jersey Governor Chris Christie during the investigation into the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case.

Two former Christie aides were convicted of plotting to close bridge lanes to punish a Democratic mayor who wouldn’t endorse the Republican governor.

Mr Wray worked for the Justice Department under President George W. Bush.

Then-FBI Director James Comey was fired by US President Donald Trump. Picture: AP

Former FBI Director James Comey will testify publicly tomorrow about links between the Trump campaign and Russia.

In a statement released ahead of that testimony Mr Comey revealed on Wednesday that Mr Trump had demanded his loyalty and pressed him to drop an investigation in to Mr Trump’s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and his ties to Russia.