Trump may announce new FBI director this week

UNITED STATES: Eight candidates for FBI director were interviewed at Justice Department headquarters yesterday as President Donald Trump suggested a decision on a nominee to replace ousted director James Comey could be announced within days.

Trump was scheduled to leave Friday for his first overseas trip as president. He told reporters it was possible he could make public his selection before he departs for the Mideast and Europe.

``I think the process is going to go quickly. Almost all of them are very well-known,’' Trump said aboard the plane that took him to Lynchburg, Virginia, where he gave the commencement address at Liberty University.

``They’ve been vetted over their lifetime essentially, but very wellknown, highly respected, really talented people. And that’s what we want for the FBI.’'

Comey’s replacement requires Senate confirmation. The FBI director serves a 10-year term but can be replaced by the president.

So far 14 people – lawmakers and attorneys among them – have emerged as candidates. Eight met yesterday with Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein.

The first candidate to arrive was Alice Fisher, a high-ranking Justice Department official in the George W Bush administration.

Also interviewed were: Adam Lee, special agent in charge of the FBI’s office in Richmond, Virginia.

Acting FBI director McCabe.

Michael J Garcia, a former prosecutor and associate judge on New York’s appeals court

Senator John Cornyn of Texas, the No 2 Senate leader and a former Andrew Texas attorney general.

US District Judge Henry E Hudson, a Bush appointee who struck down the centrepiece of the Obama administration’s healthcare law in 2010.

Frances Townsend, former Bush homeland security and counterterrorism adviser.

Former Rep Mike Rogers of Michigan, who was chairman of the House intelligence committee. An ex-FBI agent, Rogers drew the backing of the FBI Agents Association, which said his diverse background makes him the best choice. –AP