Trump Fires FBI Director James Comey
The shakeup of the federal investigation agency comes in the midst of probes into alleged Russian interference in the US presidential elections. Trump explained the firing by citing Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 10/05/2017
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/new-fbi-acting-director-mccabe-considered-respected-bureau-man-n757201
President Trump on Tuesday fired the director of the FBI, James B. Comey, abruptly terminating the top official leading a criminal investigation into whether Mr. Trump’s advisers colluded with the Russian government to steer the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.
Mr. Trump explained the firing by citing Mr. Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server, even though the president was widely seen to have benefited politically from that inquiry and had once praised Mr. Comey for his “guts” in his pursuit of Mrs. Clinton during the campaign.
But in his letter to Mr. Comey, released to reporters by the White House, the president betrayed his focus on the continuing inquiry into Russia and his aides.
“While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau,” Mr. Trump said in a letter to Mr. Comey dated Tuesday. White House officials refused to say anything more about the three occasions Mr. Trump cited.
Mr. Comey’s deputy, Andrew McCabe, a career FBI officer, became acting director, the Justice Department said. The White House said the search for a director will begin immediately.
[Source: The New York Times]
The shakeup of the federal investigation agency comes in the midst of probes into alleged Russian interference in the US presidential elections. Trump explained the firing by citing Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/new-fbi-acting-director-mccabe-considered-respected-bureau-man-n757201
President Trump on Tuesday fired the director of the FBI, James B. Comey, abruptly terminating the top official leading a criminal investigation into whether Mr. Trump’s advisers colluded with the Russian government to steer the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.
Mr. Trump explained the firing by citing Mr. Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server, even though the president was widely seen to have benefited politically from that inquiry and had once praised Mr. Comey for his “guts” in his pursuit of Mrs. Clinton during the campaign.
But in his letter to Mr. Comey, released to reporters by the White House, the president betrayed his focus on the continuing inquiry into Russia and his aides.
“While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau,” Mr. Trump said in a letter to Mr. Comey dated Tuesday. White House officials refused to say anything more about the three occasions Mr. Trump cited.
Mr. Comey’s deputy, Andrew McCabe, a career FBI officer, became acting director, the Justice Department said. The White House said the search for a director will begin immediately.
[Source: The New York Times]
