Several Democratic lawmakers on Thursday slammed FBI Director Christopher Wray for setting a new "precedent" by resigning his post ahead of the next presidential administration, instead of forcing President-elect Donald Trump to fire him.

Wray, who was nominated by Trump in 2017 to replace James Comey, announced on Wednesday that he would resign next month even though his term actually lasts 10 years. Trump nominated Kash Patel for FBI director last month.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Glenn Ivey claimed Wray should have forced Trump to fire him because the former president was breaking with tradition by announcing a replacement before Wray had made his decision on the post.

“I think he should have forced Trump to fire him because by stepping down he sort of took the onus off Trump for breaking with the tradition and the policy of having FBI directors serve 10 year terms,” Ivey told The Hill. “There’s this precedent now for FBI directors stepping down when a new president comes in. And that’s not how this should work.”

House Oversight Ranking Member Jamie Raskin also expressed disappointment with Wray's decision, claiming he would have preferred if Wray remained in the role for continuity purposes.

New York Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman on Thursday said that while he understands why Wray decided to step down, he should have remained in the role as long as possible.

"We’re in different times now, and I wish he had stuck it out to make it difficult for Donald Trump to fire his second FBI director when they have a 10-year term for a reason,” Goldman told the outlet. "Because of what Donald Trump is threatening to do with the FBI, what his nominee, Kash Patel, would do, it’s really important that everybody who has a position of significance or a position in the federal government continues to do their job to uphold the rule of law, because that’s under attack right now."

Wray is set to resign his post on Jan. 20, 2025, the same day as Trump's presidential inauguration.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.