Jump to content

Paul Abbate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Paul Abbate
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Acting
January 19, 2025 – January 20, 2025
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byChristopher A. Wray
Succeeded byBrian Driscoll (acting)
Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
In office
February 1, 2021 – January 20, 2025
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byDavid Bowdich
Succeeded byRobert Kissane (acting)
Associate Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
In office
April 13, 2018 – February 1, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byDavid Bowdich
Succeeded byJeffrey Sallet
Personal details
EducationUniversity of Connecticut (JD)

Paul M. Abbate (/ˈɑːbt/ AH-beɪt) 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] Abbate 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]

Abbate has also 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][9] He was succeeded by Jeffrey Sallet, after being promoted to deputy director of the FBI in February 2021.[10] He retired on January 20, 2025 and Acting Attorney General James McHenry appointed Robert Kissane, special agent in charge for counterterrorism in New York, to serve as acting deputy director of the FBI.[11]

Awards

[edit]

Abbatte was named one of 22 people chosen as Security Magazine's "Most Influential People in Security 2020".[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/washingtondc/press-releases/2012/paul-m.-abbate-named-special-agent-in-charge-of-the-counterterrorism-division-washington-field-office
  3. ^ "Paul M. Abbate". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved March 4, 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ "2021 National Cyber Summit | September 28–30, 2021". www.nationalcybersummit.com. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  5. ^ "Paul M. Abbate Named FBI Deputy Director — FBI". www.fbi.gov. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Security's Most Influential People in Security 2020 - Paul Abbate". Security Magazine. September 3, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  7. ^ Barrabi, Thomas (February 1, 2021). "FBI taps Paul Abbate to serve as deputy director". Fox News. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  8. ^ "How racial diversity can help the FBI solve its "privilege naiveté" problem". Salon. February 6, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  9. ^ Gramer, Robbie; Detsch, Jack (February 4, 2021). "The Post-Trump Reset With NATO Starts in Germany". Foreign Policy. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  10. ^ "Jeffrey S. Sallet". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  11. ^ "Acting FBI director chosen while Trump's nominee Kash Patel awaits confirmation". CNN. January 20, 2025. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
[edit]
Government offices
Preceded by Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
2021–2025
Succeeded by
Robert Kissane
Acting
Preceded by Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Acting

2025
Succeeded by