FBI director nominee Christopher Wray says he would lead the agency "without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to political influence."

Wray's statement came after Sen. Chuck Grassley asked how he viewed the independence of the FBI and its director. He says the American public rightly expects that commitment.

He says there's only one right way to lead the FBI, and that's with "strict independence" and by being faithful to the Constitution.

Some lawmakers will want assurances that he will be able to be independent from the White House after President Donald Trump is said to have asked for a loyalty pledge before firing former director James Comey.

Wray also testified that attempts to tamper with a special counsel investigation into Russian election meddling would be "unacceptable."

Wray's comments came under questioning by Sen. Dianne Feinstein about special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

During questioning from Sen. Feinstein, Wray says he also never discussed Comey or his abrupt dismissal with the Justice Department or the FBI.

Wray says the issue only came up once, when Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told him he had appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. That happened after Comey's firing.

POOL

Washington - 12 July 2017

1. Various of Christopher Wray appearing at confirmation hearing for FBI director

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I believe to my core that there's only one right way to do this job and that is with strict independence by the book, playing it straight, faithful to the constitution, faithful to our laws and faithful to the best practices of the institution, without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to any partisan political influence. That's the commitment that I brought to my years to duty as a line prosecutor, that's the commitment that I brought to my time as the head of the criminal division, that's the commitment that I think the American people rightly respect of the FBI director. That's the commitment I would make to this committee and the country, if confirmed. And I have way, way, way too much respect and affection frankly for the men and women of the FBI to do anything less than that. And I would just say anybody who thinks that I would be pulling punches as the FBI Director sure doesn't know me very well."

3. Sen. Dianne Feinstein asking Wray if he discussed firing of former FBI Director James Comey with anyone at White House

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Sen. Feinstein, I did not discuss those topics at all with anyone in the White House. My only discussion at all was Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein making the observation to me at the time that I was first contacted about this position by him, by Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein was that now Special Counsel Mueller had been appointed to deal with that issue and that that in effect made for a better landscape for me to consider taking on this position."

5. Feinstein asking question

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"My view is that torture is wrong. It's unacceptable. It's illegal and I think it's ineffective. Second, let me say that I know ... Both of my predecessors, Director Comey and Director Mueller, had a policy which I think is the right policy and I would expect to continue, that the FBI is going to play no part in the use of any techniques of that sort."

7. Various of hearing

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I'm very committed to supporting Director Mueller in the special counsel investigation in whatever way is appropriate for me to do that. I worked closely with Director Mueller in my past government service. I view him as the consummate straight shooter and someone who I have enormous respect for and I would be pleased to do what I can to support him in his mission."

9. Sen. Feinstein asking question UPSOUND: (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California: "What I'm asking is if you learn about any machinations to tamper with that (special counsel probe) that you let this committee know. (Understood.) If you want to say more, I'm happy to hear. "

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I would consult with the appropriate officials. Anytime talking to this committee, I would consult with the appropriate officials to make sure that I'm not jeopardizing the investigation or anything like that but I would consider an effort to tamper with Director Mueller's investigation to be unacceptable and inappropriate and would need to be dealt with very sternly and appropriately, indeed."

11. Various of hearing

FBI director nominee Christopher Wray says he would lead the agency "without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to political influence."

Wray's statement came after Sen. Chuck Grassley asked how he viewed the independence of the FBI and its director. He says the American public rightly expects that commitment.

He says there's only one right way to lead the FBI, and that's with "strict independence" and by being faithful to the Constitution.

Some lawmakers will want assurances that he will be able to be independent from the White House after President Donald Trump is said to have asked for a loyalty pledge before firing former director James Comey.

Wray also testified that attempts to tamper with a special counsel investigation into Russian election meddling would be "unacceptable."

Wray's comments came under questioning by Sen. Dianne Feinstein about special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

During questioning from Sen. Feinstein, Wray says he also never discussed Comey or his abrupt dismissal with the Justice Department or the FBI.

Wray says the issue only came up once, when Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told him he had appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. That happened after Comey's firing.

POOL

Washington - 12 July 2017

1. Various of Christopher Wray appearing at confirmation hearing for FBI director

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I believe to my core that there's only one right way to do this job and that is with strict independence by the book, playing it straight, faithful to the constitution, faithful to our laws and faithful to the best practices of the institution, without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to any partisan political influence. That's the commitment that I brought to my years to duty as a line prosecutor, that's the commitment that I brought to my time as the head of the criminal division, that's the commitment that I think the American people rightly respect of the FBI director. That's the commitment I would make to this committee and the country, if confirmed. And I have way, way, way too much respect and affection frankly for the men and women of the FBI to do anything less than that. And I would just say anybody who thinks that I would be pulling punches as the FBI Director sure doesn't know me very well."

3. Sen. Dianne Feinstein asking Wray if he discussed firing of former FBI Director James Comey with anyone at White House

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Sen. Feinstein, I did not discuss those topics at all with anyone in the White House. My only discussion at all was Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein making the observation to me at the time that I was first contacted about this position by him, by Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein was that now Special Counsel Mueller had been appointed to deal with that issue and that that in effect made for a better landscape for me to consider taking on this position."

5. Feinstein asking question

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"My view is that torture is wrong. It's unacceptable. It's illegal and I think it's ineffective. Second, let me say that I know ... Both of my predecessors, Director Comey and Director Mueller, had a policy which I think is the right policy and I would expect to continue, that the FBI is going to play no part in the use of any techniques of that sort."

7. Various of hearing

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I'm very committed to supporting Director Mueller in the special counsel investigation in whatever way is appropriate for me to do that. I worked closely with Director Mueller in my past government service. I view him as the consummate straight shooter and someone who I have enormous respect for and I would be pleased to do what I can to support him in his mission."

9. Sen. Feinstein asking question UPSOUND: (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California: "What I'm asking is if you learn about any machinations to tamper with that (special counsel probe) that you let this committee know. (Understood.) If you want to say more, I'm happy to hear. "

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I would consult with the appropriate officials. Anytime talking to this committee, I would consult with the appropriate officials to make sure that I'm not jeopardizing the investigation or anything like that but I would consider an effort to tamper with Director Mueller's investigation to be unacceptable and inappropriate and would need to be dealt with very sternly and appropriately, indeed."

11. Various of hearing

FBI director nominee Christopher Wray says he would lead the agency "without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to political influence."

Wray's statement came after Sen. Chuck Grassley asked how he viewed the independence of the FBI and its director. He says the American public rightly expects that commitment.

He says there's only one right way to lead the FBI, and that's with "strict independence" and by being faithful to the Constitution.

Some lawmakers will want assurances that he will be able to be independent from the White House after President Donald Trump is said to have asked for a loyalty pledge before firing former director James Comey.

Wray also testified that attempts to tamper with a special counsel investigation into Russian election meddling would be "unacceptable."

Wray's comments came under questioning by Sen. Dianne Feinstein about special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

During questioning from Sen. Feinstein, Wray says he also never discussed Comey or his abrupt dismissal with the Justice Department or the FBI.

Wray says the issue only came up once, when Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told him he had appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. That happened after Comey's firing.

POOL

Washington,D.C. - 12 July 2017

1. Wide of Christopher Wray appearing at confirmation hearing for FBI director

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I believe to my core that there's only one right way to do this job and that is with strict independence by the book, playing it straight, faithful to the Constitution, faithful to our laws and faithful to the best practices of the institution, without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to any partisan political influence. That's the commitment that I brought to my years to duty as a line prosecutor, that's the commitment that I brought to my time as the head of the criminal division, that's the commitment that I think the American people rightly expect of the FBI director. That's the commitment I would make to this committee and the country, if confirmed. And I have way, way, way too much respect and affection frankly for the men and women of the FBI to do anything less than that. And I would just say anybody who thinks that I would be pulling punches as the FBI Director sure doesn't know me very well."

3. Sen. Dianne Feinstein asking Wray if he discussed firing of former FBI Director James Comey with anyone at White House

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Sen. Feinstein, I did not discuss those topics at all with anyone in the White House. My only discussion at all was Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein making the observation to me at the time that I was first contacted about this position by him, by Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein was that now Special Counsel Mueller had been appointed to deal with that issue and that that in effect made for a better landscape for me to consider taking on this position."

5. Feinstein asking question

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"My view is that torture is wrong. It's unacceptable. It's illegal and I think it's ineffective. Second, let me say that I know ... Both of my predecessors, Director Comey and Director Mueller, had a policy which I think is the right policy and I would expect to continue, that the FBI is going to play no part in the use of any techniques of that sort."

7. Various of hearing

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I'm very committed to supporting Director Mueller in the special counsel investigation in whatever way is appropriate for me to do that. I worked closely with Director Mueller in my past government service. I view him as the consummate straight shooter and someone who I have enormous respect for and I would be pleased to do what I can to support him in his mission."

9. Sen. Feinstein asking question UPSOUND: (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California: "What I'm asking is if you learn about any machinations to tamper with that (special counsel probe) that you let this committee know. (Wray: Understood.) If you want to say more, I'm happy to hear. "

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I would consult with the appropriate officials. Anytime talking to this committee, I would consult with the appropriate officials to make sure that I'm not jeopardizing the investigation or anything like that but I would consider an effort to tamper with Director Mueller's investigation to be unacceptable and inappropriate and would need to be dealt with very sternly and appropriately, indeed."

11. Various of hearing

President Donald Trump's pick for FBI director says he does not consider special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation a "witch hunt."

Christopher Wray made the comments under questioning by Sen. Lindsey Graham about Trump's own comments on the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign.

In a series of statements on Twitter, Trump called Mueller's investigation a "WITCH HUNT" based on the "phony" premise of possible collusion between Russia and a cadre of Trump campaign associates.

Wray says simply, "I do not consider Director Mueller to be on a witch hunt."

POOL

Washington - 12 July 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont:

"From what we've seen from the White House, they may be expecting your loyalty, as the president did with Directory Comey. You told me yesterday there's been no question by anybody in the White House asking you for a pledge of loyalty, is that correct?"

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"That's correct, Senator. My loyalty is to the Constitution, to the rule of law and to the mission of the FBI and no one asked me for any kind of loyalty oath at any point during this process and I sure as heck didn't offer one."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont:

"If the president asks you to do something unlawful or unethical, what do you say?"

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"First, I would try to talk him out of it and if that failed, I would resign."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"If I got a call from somebody saying the Russian government wants to help Lindsey Graham get reelected, they've got dirt on Lindsey Graham's opponent, should I take that meeting?"

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Well, Senator, I would think you'd want to consult with some good legal advisers before you did that."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"So the answer is, should I call the FBI... you're going to be the director of the FBI, pal. So here's what I want you to tell every politician: if you get a call from somebody suggesting that a foreign government wants to help you by disparaging your opponent, tell us all to call the FBI."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"To the members of this committee, any threat or effort to interfere with our elections from any nation state or any non-state actor is the kind of thing the FBI would want to know."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Is Russia our friend or our enemy?"

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Senator, I think Russia is a foreign nation that we have to deal with very warily."

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Do you think they're an adversary of the United States?"

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"In some situations, yes."

13. Wide of hearing

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee (on Comey press conference on Hillary Clinton email investigation):

"I can't imagine a situation where, as FBI director, I would be giving a press conference on an uncharged individual, much less talk in detail about it."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"I'm asking you, as the future FBI director, do you consider this endeavor (Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation) a witch hunt?"

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I do not consider Director Mueller to be on a witch hunt."

17. Wide of hearing

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"It's not ever been my practice to blur the line between FBI investigator and Department of Justice prosecutor. It's never been my practice to speak publicly as a prosecutor or as a department official about uncharged individuals. I think those policies are important, I think they're in place for a reason. And I would expect to comply with them."

19. Wide of hearing

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"No one has asked me for any loyalty oath and I wouldn't offer one. As I said, my loyalty is to the Constitution, the rule of law and the mission of the FBI."

21. Wide of hearing