Christopher Wray

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a House Select Committee focusing on China on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

The US is bracing for complex, fast-moving threats to elections this year, FBI director warns

McLEAN, VA. (AP) — The United States expects to face fast-moving threats to American elections this year as artificial intelligence and other technological advances have made interference and meddling easier than before, FBI Director Christopher Wray said Thursday.

FBI Director Christopher Wray, center, testifies during a House Select Committee focusing on China on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

US says it disrupted a China cyber threat, but warns hackers could still wreak havoc for Americans

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

FBI chief makes fresh pitch for spy program renewal and says it’d be ‘devastating’ if it lapsed

FILE - Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, May 16, 2023. With just seven weeks until the end of the year, the Biden administration is running out of time to win the reauthorization of a spy program it says is vital to preventing terrorism, catching spies and disrupting cyberattacks. The tool is called Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

A key US spy tool will lapse at year’s end unless Congress and the White House can cut a deal

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on threats to the homeland, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

FBI head cites a ‘potential conflict of interest’ in the selection process for a new headquarters

Congressmembers react to Biden investigation informant’s contact with Russian intelligence

Members of Congress react to an FBI informant in the Biden investigation being charged with lying to his FBI handler. Prosecutors laid out “extensive and extremely recent” contact Smirnov had with people aligned with Russian intelligence. (Feb. 21) (AP Video/Dan Huff)

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House Republicans impeach Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, AP Explains next steps

New US cyber warnings signal over Chinese hackers are ‘an important signal’ to Beijing

FBI chief warns of Chinese hackers determined to ‘wreak havoc’ on US critical infrastructure

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FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on threats to the homeland, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

The FBI director warns about threats to Americans from those inspired by the Hamas attack on Israel

FBI Director Christopher Wray is warning that Hamas’ rampage inside Israel could inspire violence in the U.S.

FILE - FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Wray spoke to one of the nation's largest police groups on Saturday, Oct. 14 about how the agency works with police around the country, including helping secure an indictment against two men accused in the death of a small-town Michigan teenager caught in an international online sexual extortion scheme. There's recently been a sharp in increase in such cases. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

A teen’s death in a small Michigan town led the FBI and police to an online sexual extortion scheme

FBI Director Christopher Wray has spoken to one of the nation’s largest police groups about how his agency works with police around the United States in tackling violent crime, fentanyl and gangs.

Law enforcement investigate the scene of a shooting involving the FBI Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023 in Provo, Utah. A man accused of making threats against President Joe Biden was shot and killed by FBI agents hours before the president was expected to land in the state Wednesday, authorities said. (Laura Seitz/The Deseret News via AP)

Utah man suspected of threatening President Joe Biden shot and killed as FBI served warrant

An armed Utah man accused of making violent threats against President Joe Biden was shot and killed by FBI agents hours before the president landed in the state Wednesday, authorities say.

FBI Director Christopher Wray attends a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

FBI wrongly searched for US senator and state senator in Section 702 spy data, court says

A newly released court opinion says FBI employees wrongly searched foreign surveillance data for the last names of a U.S. senator and a state senator.

FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil to honor the law enforcement officers who lost their lives in 2022, during the National Police Week at the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

GOP chairman moves to hold FBI director Wray in contempt over Biden doc

Republicans in Congress are locked in an escalating fight with the director of the FBI. The chairman of the House Oversight Committee says he plans to hold Wray in contempt of Congress over a record related to President Joe Biden and his family.

FBI Director Christopher Wray, speaks at the FBI Norfolk Field Office, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Chesapeake, Va. (AP Photo/John C. Clark)

FBI tested by attacks, politically explosive investigations

The FBI finds itself in a challenging moment as it conducts simultaneous investigations involving classified documents held by former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.

People wearing face masks walk past rows of lanterns at a tourist shopping street in Beijing, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

China dismisses FBI statement on COVID-19 lab leak theory

For the second day in a row, China is dismissing U.S. suggestions that the COVID-19 pandemic may have been triggered by a virus that leaked from a Chinese laboratory.

FBI Director Christopher Wray talks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos from Jan. 16 until Jan. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

FBI chief says he’s ‘deeply concerned’ by China’s AI program

FBI Director Christopher Wray says he’s “deeply concerned” about the Chinese government’s artificial intelligence program, asserting that it was “not constrained by the rule of law.”

Michigan man charged with threatening congressman, FBI head

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan man used the phone and internet to make violent threats against a California congressman and the head of the FBI, authorities said Tuesday.

FILE - FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during a news conference on Aug. 10, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. The White House is bringing together three dozen nations, the European Union and a slew of private-sector companies for a two-day summit starting Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, that looks at how best to combat ransomware attacks. Several administration officials are planning to participate in the event, including Wray. President Joe Biden was not expected to attend. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

White House invites dozens of nations for ransomware summit

The White House is bringing together three dozen nations, the European Union and a slew of private-sector companies for a two-day summit that looks at how best to combat ransomware attacks.

FILE - The FBI seal is displayed on a podium before a news conference at the agency's headquarters on June 14, 2018, in Washington. A U.S. senator is pressing the FBI for more information after a whistleblower alleged that an internal review found 665 FBI personnel have resigned or retired to avoid accountability in misconduct probes over the past two decades, according to a letter early from the senator early Oct. 2022. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Whistleblower: 665 left FBI over misconduct in two decades

A U.S. senator says a whistleblower has alleged that an internal review found 665 FBI personnel have resigned or retired to avoid accountability in misconduct probes over the past two decades.

FILE - New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham smiles after delivering the State of the State address during the 56th legislative session, Jan. 18, 2022, in Santa Fe, N.M. Grisham is promoting her management of the economy and health care during the COVID-19 pandemic, support for abortion access and expanded social programs, including tuition-free college for New Mexico residents and expanded access to preschool and no-pay child care. (Jim Weber/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, Pool, File)

New Mexico governor seeks FBI reinforcements amid crime

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Democratic governor of New Mexico has asked the federal Department of Justice to assign more FBI agents to the state in response to violent crime.

FBI Director Christopher Wray arrives for a news conference, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

FBI’s Wray denounces threats following search of Trump home

The director of the FBI has strong words for supporters of former President Donald Trump who have been using violent rhetoric in the wake of his agency’s search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home.

Missouri AG says FBI can’t audit concealed carry permits

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Attorney General Eric Schmitt said Wednesday that FBI agents will not be allowed to audit concealed carry permits collected by county sheriffs in Missouri.

FILE - Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Christopher Wray testifies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the fiscal year 2023 budget for the FBI in Washington, May 25, 2022. The head of the FBI and the leader of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency are raising fresh alarms about the Chinese government in a joint appearance. They're warning business leaders Wednesday, July 6, that Beijing is determined to steal their technology for competitive gain. (Bonnie Cash/Pool Photo via AP, File)

US, UK leaders raise fresh alarms about Chinese espionage

The FBI director and the leader of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency are raising alarms about the Chinese government, warning business leaders that Beijing is determined to steal their technology for competitive gain.

FILE - FBI director Christopher Wray testifies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in Washington, on May 25, 2022. Wray says his agents thwarted a planned cyberattack on a Boston children's hospital that was to have been carried out by hackers sponsored by the Iranian government. (Bonnie Cash/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Wray: FBI blocked planned cyberattack on children’s hospital

FBI Director Christopher Wray says agents thwarted a planned cyberattack on a Boston children’s hospital that was to have been carried out by hackers sponsored by the Iranian government.

FBI names Spencer Evans as new agent in charge in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Nevada office of the FBI has a new special agent in charge, with the announcement Monday that Spencer Evans will head the bureau’s Las Vegas field office.

FBI cyber crime specialist to lead Indianapolis office

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray named a cyber crime specialist Friday to be the special agent in charge of the Indianapolis Field Office.

FILE - FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks at a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, on Nov. 8, 2021. Wray says the threat to the West from the Chinese government is "more brazen" and damaging than ever before. In a speech on Jan. 31, 2022, at the Reagan Presidential Library in California, Wray accused Beijing of stealing American ideas and innovation and launching massive hacking operations. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

FBI chief: Threat from China ‘more brazen’ than ever before

FBI Director Christopher Wray says the threat to the West from the Chinese government is “more brazen” and damaging than ever before.

FBI chief of staff named interim US attorney for S. Carolina

Corey F.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

US Homeland Security secretary tests positive for COVID

The Department of Homeland Security says Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has tested positive for COVID-19.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, left, and FBI Director Christopher Wray, testify before a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to discuss security threats 20 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Greg Nash/Pool via AP)

Wray: Afghanistan unrest could inspire extremism inside US

Top national security officials say the possibility of a 9/11-type attack has diminished over the last 20 years despite the recent Taliban victory in Afghanistan, but the unrest in Kabul could embolden U.S.

United States gymnasts from left, Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Maggie Nichols, arrive to testify during a Senate Judiciary hearing about the Inspector General's report on the FBI's handling of the Larry Nassar investigation on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, in Washington. Nassar was charged in 2016 with federal child pornography offenses and sexual abuse charges in Michigan. He is now serving decades in prison after hundreds of girls and women said he sexually abused them under the guise of medical treatment when he worked for Michigan State and Indiana-based USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AP)

Biles: FBI turned ‘blind eye’ to reports of gymnasts’ abuse

Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles has told Congress that the FBI and gymnastics officials turned a “blind eye” to USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse of her and hundreds of other women.

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2018, file photo, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh stands before a ceremonial swearing-in in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Senate Democrats are raising new concerns about the thoroughness of the FBI's background investigation into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after the FBI revealed that it had received thousands of tips and had provided “all relevant” ones to the White House counsel's office. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Dems renew questions about FBI background check of Kavanaugh

Senate Democrats are raising new concerns about the thoroughness of the FBI’s background investigation into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after the FBI revealed that it had received thousands of tips and had provided “all relevant” ones to the White House counsel’s office.

Terre Haute Police Det. Greg Ferency gives a presentation during the protecting places of worship forum on April 12, 2019, at St. George's Orthodox Church in Terre Haute, Ind. Ferency, a 30-year department veteran who had been a federal task force officer since 2010, was killed in an ambush shooting outside an FBI office in western Indiana, an FBI official said Thursday, July 8, 2021. (Joseph C. Garza/The Tribune-Star via AP)

FBI director: Slain Indiana cop did what ‘needed to be done’

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — A veteran Indiana police officer who was killed in an ambush outside of an FBI field office last week was a valued member of an FBI task force for more than a decade, the agency’s director said at the officer’s funeral Tuesday.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray testifies before the House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Capitol Hill, Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Wray: FBI frowns on ransomware payments despite recent trend

FBI Director Christopher Wray says the bureau discourages ransomware payments to hacking groups even as major companies in the past month have participated in multimillion-dollar transactions aimed at getting their systems back online.

FILE - In this March 10, 2011, file photo, then-Vice President Joe Biden, left, shakes hands with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia. Hit by a barrage of new sanctions from the Biden administration, the Kremlin is carefully weighing its response in a tense showdown with the United States. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Russia to expel 10 US diplomats in response to Biden actions

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia on Friday responded to a barrage of new U.S. sanctions by saying it would expel 10 U.S. diplomats and take other retaliatory moves in a tense showdown with Washington.

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2021, file photo shattered glass from the attack on Congress by a violent pro-Trump mob is seen in doors leading to the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. Violent extremists motivated by political grievances and racial biases pose an “elevated threat” to the U.S. homeland, officials said Wednesday, March 17, in a unclassified intelligence report released more than two months after a violent mob of insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Officials: Violent extremists pose ‘elevated threat’ to US

WASHINGTON (AP) — Violent extremists motivated by a range of political grievances and racial biases pose an “elevated threat” to the United States, officials said Wednesday in an unclassified intelligence report released more than two months after a mob of insurrectionists stormed the U.S.

New FBI boss in Portland aims to tackle soaring gun violence

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Portland’s soaring rate of gun violence and deaths is a “public safety crisis,” one in which the FBI intends to try to stem with local law enforcement, the new head of the FBI’s field office in the city said Monday.

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Wray is condemning the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol as “domestic terrorism.” (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

FBI chief warns violent ‘domestic terrorism’ growing in US

WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray bluntly labeled the January riot at the U.S. Capitol as “domestic terrorism” Tuesday and warned of a rapidly growing threat of homegrown violent extremism that law enforcement is scrambling to confront through thousands of investigations.