By Tamar Hallerman and Rhonda Cook

WASHINGTON -- Georgia attorney Christopher Wray, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the FBI, is taking his turn before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday morning, but much of the attention will be focused on people who won't be in the room.

Trump, his son Donald Trump Jr., and Russian President Vladimir Putin won't be far from the forefront during Wray's 9:30 a.m. confirmation hearing. Neither will Wray's former colleagues, fired FBI director James Comey and Robert Mueller, the special counsel who's been tasked with investigating possible ties between Trump's campaign and the Russian government ahead of last year's election.

Wray himself is considered to be a fairly non-controversial choice to lead the FBI – "a man of impeccable credentials," as Trump tweeted as he announced the nomination. The Atlanta-based attorney and former George W. Bush administration official is expected to be confirmed by the Senate at some point over the next several weeks.

What Republicans and Democrats will be watching for closely on Wednesday is how Wray plans to position himself between the president, Congress, the law enforcement and intelligence communities should he be confirmed to one of Washington's highest-profile positions.

Check out what to watch for on myAJC.