Acting FBI chief disputes White House version of Comey sacking
● Former director had the support of the bureau staff, says his deputy
Acting FBI director Andrew Mccabe has contradicted the White House position on the decision to fire his former boss, saying James Comey still had the support of rank-andfile members of the bureau.
Mr Mccabe also said he disagrees with the White House suggestion that it is a low priority of the FBI to investigate Russian interference in the election and potential Donald Trump campaign collusion.
The interim FBI chief said it is a “highly significant investigation”, contradicting statements made by the White House downplaying it.
On wednesday, white house deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the investigation into Russia’s attempts to interfere with the presidential election was “probably one of the smallest things” that the FBI has “got going on their plate”.
But Mr Mccabe told a Senate panel that he would not describe the investigation that way.
He declined to say exactly how many FBI personnel are involved in the investigation, adding that he cannot discuss that in a public setting.
The White House had earlier attempted to justify Mr Comey’s firing by claiming he had lost the support of bureau staff. But Mr Mccabe said the claim is not accurate.
He said Mr Comey “enjoyed broad support” within the agency and that he holds the former director in the “absolute highest regard”, adding that it was the “greatest privilege” of his career to serve under him.
Mrmc ca be assured senators he will alert them to any effort to interfere with the investigation.
Mr Trump’s firing of Mr Comey has led Democrats and others to raise concerns about the future of the investigation.
But Mr Mccabe, speaking publicly for the first time since his former boss’s exit, said there has been “no effort to impede our investigation”.
He added: “You cannot stop the men and women of the FBI from doing the right thing.”
Last night President Trump said he had planned to fire Mr Comey regardless of the recommendation from his deputy attorney general, contrary to earlier statements from the White House.
Mr Trump told NBC News he had made up his mind to dismiss Mr Comey before he met on Monday with attorney general Jeff Sessions and deputy Rod Rosenstein.
White House officials had said earlier in the week that mr Trump asked Mr Sessions and Mr Rosenstein for their opinions about Mr Comey, and the president then acted on those recommendations.
Mr Trump also told NBC “I know that I’m not under investigation” for collusion with Russia.
He said he spoke with Mr Comey once during dinner and twice in phone calls, during which time he says the FBI chief told him “you are not under investigation”.
He says he initiated one phone call, and Mr Comey initiated the other.
In his termination letter to Mr Comey, sent to reporters on Tuesday, Mr Trump thanked him for informing him “three times” that he is not under investigation.
Mr Trump added: “I know that I’m not under investigation. Me personally. I’m not talking about campaigns or anything else. I am not under investigation.”
Meanwhile, President Trump admitted in an interview with Time Magazine that his White House may be “combative” and he says it could be his fault. He added: “The only way you survive is to be combative. I know when I’m successful. I know victory, OK?”