Trump fires FBI chief James Comey, in stunning manoeuvre amid Russia investigation
Comey is fired for ‘usurping’ the Justice Department, by announcing last year that Hillary Clinton should not be prosecuted over her email practices
US President Donald Trump has fired FBI Director James Comey, who had been investigating connections between Trump associates and Russia.
The White House said Trump fired Comey on the recommendation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.
In a memorandum released on Tuesday, Rosenstein recommended Comey’s removal because of his announcement last July that Trump’s election rival Hillary Clinton should not be prosecuted over her email practices. Comey’s announcement had improperly usurped the Justice Department’s authority over the matter, Rosenstein said.
In a subsequent letter to Comey on Tuesday, Trump informed him that he had been “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 judgement of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau,” Trump wrote.
