President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey on May 9, based on recommendations from Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Trump said in a statement, “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.”
Sessions explained his reasons in a brief statement, noting that as attorney general, he is “committed to a high level of discipline, integrity, and rule of law to [sic] the Department of Justice,” and that based on his evaluation and that of others, “I have concluded that a fresh start is needed at the leadership of the FBI.”
He said the FBI director needs to be someone who “follows faithfully the rules and principles” of the DOJ, and who sets a good example to members of law enforcement and to those beneath him.
Comey testified on May 3 before a Senate Judiciary committee, where he answered questions on his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigations—and particularly his review of classified emails sent by the former secretary of state that were found on a laptop of former Congressman Anthony Weiner, who is currently being investigated for child pornography.
