President Donald Trump has fired FBI Director James Comey in a shock decision following a recommendation from the Department of Justice that the public had lost faith in the bureau.
The shock decision comes one week after Comey testified on his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton‘s emails, during which he said he felt “mildly nauseous” to think his actions last October – when he announced he was reopening the investigation after finding Clinton emails on Anthony Weiner‘s computer – might have influenced the election.
Separately, the FBI is also charged with leading the investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to influence the election.
Comey had been widely criticised by Democrats for his actions last October, with the main criticisms being that he did not wait to announce the investigation without first confirming what the emails contained, and without also announcing the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign.
“It is not the function of the Director to make such an announcement,” the letter from Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosentein said. “At most, the Director should have said the FBI had completed its investigation and presented its findings to federal prosecutors.”
Trump, in his letter to Comey informing the director of his dismissal, managed to make things nice and personal, casually reminding Comey (and by extension, the public) that he personally was not under investigation.
Dear Director Comey:
I have received the attached letters from the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General of the United States recommending your dismissal as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I have accepted their recommendation and you are hereby terminated and removed from office, effective immediately.
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.
It is essential that we find new leadership for the FBI that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission.
I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours.
Donald J. Trump
Comey is now the fourth senior official fired by Trump since inauguration, following National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, Deputy National Security Advisor K.T. McFarland and acting Attorney General Sally Yates.
The leaks out of the FBI are going to be a sight to behold. Best of luck, @PressSec
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) May 9, 2017
Trump has crossed an uncrossable line. A president MUST NOT EVER fire the person investigating him. The president MUST BE IMPEACHED and NOW.
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) May 9, 2017
Comey loyalists will now start leaking *everything* the FBI has been doing on Trump-Russia behind the scenes. This begins the end for Trump.
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) May 9, 2017
Lots of folks in FBI quite loyal to Comey, so will be interesting to see what comes out….
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) May 9, 2017
Photo: Tom Williams / Getty.
