U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) James Comey.
Trump, in a letter to Comey, said he appreciated the sacked FBI chief for informing me on three different occasions that I am not under investigation.
“Dear Director Comey: I have recently 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,” Trump said in a letter dated Tuesday to Comey.
The President also, in a statement issued by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, said Comey’s sack was with immediate effect.
“Today, President Donald J. Trump informed FBI Director James Comey that he has been terminated and removed from office.
“President Trump acted based on the clear recommendations of both Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
“The FBI is one of our Nation’s most cherished and respected institutions and today will mark a new beginning for our crown jewel of law enforcement.
President Trump said a search for a new permanent FBI Director will begin immediately.
Comey has come under fire from Democrats since Oct. 28, 2016, when he sent a letter reviewing the emails of then Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, two weeks before the presidential election.
The Democrats have also continued to criticice Comey for not indicting Trump over his possible links to Russia.
Trump’s Republicans on the other hand, criticised him for not carrying out criminal prosecution against Clinton.
Comey appeared on Monday before the Senate Committee investigating the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. (NAN)
APT