Trump fires FBI Director James Comey

President Trump fired FBI Director James B. Comey on Tuesday, saying the country’s top law enforcement agency had lost the public’s trust, but sparked a new round of questions over why he ousted the man leading an investigation into his campaign operatives’ ties to Russia.

Democrats called the firing outrageous, made Watergate comparisons, said it tainted the presidency and insisted the only way forward would be to turn over the bureau’s Russia probe to an independent prosecutor to free it of Mr. Trump’s influence.

Even many Republicans said they were troubled by the firing and praised Mr. Comey for ably handling a tough job. They said his ouster now will only feed perceptions that Mr. Trump is trying to scuttle the investigation.

Mr. Trump insisted he is not personally a target of the probe but said in his dismissal letter to Mr. Comey that he felt compelled to fire him anyway.

“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,” Mr. Trump said.

Mr. Trump has racked up a long list of casualties at the Justice Department: an acting attorney general fired just days into his tenure, the forced resignation of nearly every U.S. attorney and now the head of the country’s premier law enforcement agency.

The White House said the search for a replacement will begin immediately. In the meantime, Mr. Sessions said, Deputy Director Andrew McCabe will act as director - More, washingtontimes

Trump fires FBI Director James Comey