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Article snippet: WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly confirmed Christopher A. Wray as the next F.B.I. director to steer the United States’ premier law enforcement agency through a politically fraught period as it investigates whether any of President Trump’s associates colluded with the Russian government during last year’s election. The 92-to-5 vote to confirm Mr. Wray, a former federal prosecutor, is likely to be a relief to many agents at the F.B.I. who want a strong director to stave off any attempts by the White House to meddle in its investigations. The deteriorating relationship between Mr. Trump and the previous F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, was widely viewed as harmful to the bureau. “Now more than ever, the bureau needs a resolute and independent leader,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Christopher Wray has assured us he can be that leader.” Mr. Trump summarily fired Mr. Comey in May, infuriating many F.B.I. agents who saw the move as disrespectful. Since then, the bureau has been run by Andrew G. McCabe, the acting F.B.I. director, whom the president has attacked repeatedly because his wife, a Democrat, ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Virginia Legislature. Mr. McCabe was also close to Mr. Comey and served as his deputy before the director was fired, fueling suspicions among the president’s closest aides. With Mr. Wray confirmed, it is not clear what will happen to Mr. McCa... Link to the full article to read more