Several lawmakers questioned the timing of Comey’s removal because the FBI is investigating Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election, including any possible links between the Trump campaign and Moscow.
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Attorney General Jeff Sessions says James Comey was sacked from his post as Federal Bureau of Investigation director because the law enforcement agency needs a “fresh start”. But Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in a letter justifying the reason for the firing to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, cited Comey’s handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation as grounds for his firing.
Earlier investigations, concluded in July, had not resulted in charges. Clinton said last week she believed that controversial decision contributed to her loss.
The vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee called Comey’s firing “shocking” and deeply troubling.
What’s new is that Comey’s investigation into potential ties between Russian Federation and Trump campaign officials is heating up, including whether there is any evidence of collusion between the two as Russian Federation sought to bolster Trump’s campaign and hurt Clinton’s, according to numerous US intelligence agencies. Comey initially chuckled, then finished his speech, said the official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the official wasn’t authorized to discuss the situation publicly.
Cooper continued to press Conway on the issue that there was an investigation into the Trump White House, to which Conway responded, “The president is not under investigation”.
Comey tried unsuccessfully to dig himself out of an ever-deepening hole at a government hearing last week, by giving new reasons why he chose to reopen an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s misuse of government emails eleven days prior to the election.
Comey appeared before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and was grilled for his decision to recommend against charging Clinton.
“Were these investigations getting too close to home for the president?” he asked.
“That night was probably the most hard night of my professional life”, Comey said. I appreciate Director Comey’s service to our nation in a variety of roles.
“No one should accept President Trump’s absurd justification that he is now concerned that FBI Director Comey treated Secretary Clinton unfairly”. The 56-year-old Comey, who is popular among rank-and-file agents, was appointed four years ago. Democrats immediately accused Trump of acting out of political motives.
Graham is heading the panel’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and Feinstein is the top Democrat on the committee.
North Carolina Senator Richard Burr took to Twitter on Tuesday to share his opinion on the firing of FBI Director James Comey. “President, with all due respect, you are making a big mistake.’ The first question the administration has to answer is why now”, Schumer said.
President Trump fired Comey Tuesday, claiming it was because of how he handled the investigation into Hillary Clinton. He informed Congress, via letter, that the FBI had re-opened its investigation into Clinton.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, Clinton’s primary opponent, said Trump’s sudden termination of Comey “raises serious questions about what his administration is hiding”. His dismissal came days after he testified on Capitol Hill May 3 about Clinton’s use of a private email server as secretary of state and the bureau’s investigation into Russian dealings with the presidential elections.
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Director James Comey was sacked by President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening – including none other than Comey himself.
