FBI director nominee Christopher Wray admits Donald Trump Jr.'s Russia emails are 'the kind of thing the FBI would want to know'

(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/MSNBC)

published 12 July 2017

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Wednesday pressed FBI director nominee Christopher Wray during his Senate confirmation hearing about Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting in June 2016 with a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer. After reading Trump Jr.'s emails from publicist Rob Goldstone offering up compromising information on Hillary Clinton that was "part of Russia and its government's support for Mr. Trump," Graham asked Wray whether the FBI should be alerted of such offers. The Trump campaign did not notify the FBI.

Wray dodged giving a direct yes-or-no answer, instead saying he thought it "would be wise to let the FBI know." Graham wasn't having it. "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," Graham said.

Wray reiterated that such exchanges were "the kind of thing the FBI would want to know." "Alright, so I'll take that we should call you and that's a great answer," Graham responded.