FBI Director Christopher Wray announces resignation

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced he will resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term, paving the way for President-elect Donald Trump's nominee, Kash Patel, to potentially take over."This is the best way to avoid dragging the Bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important in how we do our work," Wray said during a town hall on Wednesday.Trump responded on social media, calling Wray's resignation a "great day for America."Trump appointed Wray during his first term but criticized him and the FBI's search for classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home.Although Wray still had years left in his term, Trump nominated Kash Patel to lead the agency. Trump's cabinet picks continue their fight to secure confirmation on Capitol Hill."It's about earning support in this process in ongoing conversations," said Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary.Controversial Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth met with Senator Susan Collins for more than an hour on Wednesday.Collins said she pressed him on various claims of misconduct, which he denies, but fell short of saying she would support him."We had a good discussion, I'm not going to go into every question I asked," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.Momentum appears to be shifting in Hegseth's favor."I had a good exchange, and we'll see what the process bears," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska."He's much better off this week than he was last week," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina.Analysts say Hegseth is not the only one under pressure."There have been some challenges to some senators. There's been some real arm twisting in terms of the threat of mounting primary challenges against them," said Todd Belt of George Washington University.Also on the Hill, Secretary of Homeland Security nominee and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem pushed back on allegations that she neglected her state during major flooding this year.