Trump Fires Comey in the Midst of Russia Investigation
Last night, President Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday fired the director of FBI James Comey, abruptly terminating the lead official in the investigation into whether Trump’s advisors conspired with the Russian government to ensure a certain presidential candidate would win the 2016 presidential election.
Comey has been under intense scrutiny in the past couple of months for his public comments on an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email practices. In a letter, Trump told Comey that his termination was necessary to restore “public trust and confidence” in the FBI.
Comey was speaking to agents at the FBI’s field office in Los Angeles when the news of his firing flashed on TV screens, the AP reported. Law enforcement who were there said Comey chuckled and finished his speech. Comey later left on a plane to Washington.
In a tweet from Trump’s twitter account, he said that Comey will be “replaced by someone who will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI.”
This is only the second firing of a FBI director in history. In 1993, President Bill Clinton dismissed William Sessions amid allegations of ethical lapses.