FBI Director Chris Wray announced Tuesday that his chief of staff, James Rybicki, is leaving the bureau.
Rybicki, who served in the same position under former FBI Director James Comey, had come under scrutiny from Republicans in recent months about his role in the Hillary Clinton email investigation.
Federal law enforcement sources told Fox News that Rybicki was not fired. His departure, they said, has “been in the works for awhile.”
“Jim Rybicki notified me last month that he will be leaving the FBI to accept an opportunity in the corporate sector,” Wray said in a statement. “While this is an exciting move for the whole Rybicki family, Jim will be dearly missed by the FBI family – and by me personally.”
Wray added: “His many years of dedication to the bureau and DOJ, his level-headed judgement and earnest professionalism, and his steady good cheer have been an asset to us all and have contributed greatly to the safety and security of our nation.”
The FBI director said he tapped attorney Zachary Harmon to replace Rybicki.
FBI Director Chris Wray says chief of staff Jim Rybicki is leaving for job in the private sector. He will be replaced by Zachary Harmon. Wray and Harmon worked together at law firm King & Spalding.
— Ryan Lucas (@relucasz) January 23, 2018
Yep, when you don’t want the guy’s departure to be a big story you totally announce it on Monday.
There have been several reports that Jeff Sessions wanted Christopher Wray to “clean house” at the FBI. Deputy director Andrew McCabe is waiting to retire in March. The general counsel, James Baker, has been removed from his position. Now the chief of staff is out the door. I can’t imagine Peter Strzok’s boss, Bill Priestap, survives because he either knew or should have known of his number two’s partisanship.
Maybe some of the scum on the swamp is being stirred at least.
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