President Donald J. Trump dismissed FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday, citing recommendations from the Justice Department.
Trump notified Comey of the termination in a letter:
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 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 that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission.
I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
DONALD J. TRUMP
Comey learned of the news while speaking to FBI employees in Los Angeles. “TVs in the background began flashing the news,” The New York Times reported.
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“A search for a new permanent FBI Director will begin immediately,” Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement.
In September 2013, Comey was appointed Director of the FBI by President Barack Obama.
In that capacity, he was responsible for overseeing the FBI’s investigation of the Hillary Clinton email controversy. His role in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, particularly with regard to his public communications, was highly controversial.
In March, in testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, Comey said the FBI has been investigating possible coordination between the Donald Trump election campaign and Russia, and whether any crimes were committed.
