Paul Abbate
Paul Abbate | |
|---|---|
 Abbate in 2017 | |
| Acting Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation | |
| In office January 19, 2025 – January 20, 2025 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Christopher A. Wray |
| Succeeded by | Brian Driscoll (acting) |
| 19th Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation | |
| In office February 1, 2021 – January 20, 2025 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | David Bowdich |
| Succeeded by | Dan Bongino |
| Associate Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation | |
| In office April 13, 2018 – February 1, 2021 | |
| President | Donald Trump Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | David Bowdich |
| Succeeded by | Jeffrey Sallet |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1967 (age 57–58) |
| Education | University of Connecticut (JD) |
Paul M. Abbate (/ˈɑːbeɪt/ AH-beɪt; born 1967) is an American law enforcement officer who served as the acting director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from January 19 to January 20, 2025, following Christopher A. Wray's resignation.[1] He served as the deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2021 until his retirement on January 20, 2025. He previously served as the associate deputy director from 2018 to 2021.
Abbate has a Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law.[2] He started his Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) career in March 1996.[3] He was assigned to the New York City Field Office, where he worked in the Criminal Division and served as a member of the SWAT team.[4][5] In 2012, he was named Special Agent In Charge of the Counterterrorism Division.[2] He led FBI field operations while deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.[6]
In 2017, after President Trump's dismissal of James Comey, Abbate was on the shortlist of officials considered for the role of FBI director.[7] In February 2018, Abbate was named associate deputy director of the FBI.[8] He was succeeded by Jeffrey Sallet, after being promoted to deputy director of the FBI in February 2021.[9] He retired on January 20, 2025, having stayed on briefly with then-FBI Director Chris Wray's permission after reaching the mandatory age of 57. Wray had retired four days earlier.[10] Acting Attorney General James McHenry then appointed Robert Kissane, special agent in charge for counterterrorism in New York, to serve as acting deputy director of the FBI.[11]
Awards
Abbate was named one of 22 people chosen as Security Magazine's "Most Influential People in Security 2020".[6]
References
- ^ Goldman, Adam (January 20, 2025). "Paul Abbate Retires as F.B.I. Acting Director After Wray Departs". The New York Times. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Paul M. Abbate named SAIC of the Counterterrorism Division, Washington field office, archives.fbi.gov. Accessed February 12, 2025.
- ^ "Paul M. Abbate". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "2021 National Cyber Summit | September 28–30, 2021". www.nationalcybersummit.com. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ "Paul M. Abbate Named FBI Deputy Director — FBI". www.fbi.gov. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "Security's Most Influential People in Security 2020 - Paul Abbate". Security Magazine. September 3, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ Barrabi, Thomas (February 1, 2021). "FBI taps Paul Abbate to serve as deputy director". Fox News. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ Gramer, Robbie; Detsch, Jack (February 4, 2021). "The Post-Trump Reset With NATO Starts in Germany". Foreign Policy. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ "Jeffrey S. Sallet". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ Paul Abbate abruptly resigns on day Trump takes office, deadlinedetroit.com. Accessed February 12, 2025.
- ^ "Acting FBI director chosen while Trump's nominee Kash Patel awaits confirmation". CNN. January 20, 2025. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
External links
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Italics denotes an acting deputy director. | ||