Trump Expected to Keep FBI Director James Comey
Analysts Believe Comey’s Letter Handed Election to Trump
President Donald Trump reportedly has asked James Comey to stay on as head of the FBI. By law, thanks to reforms put in place after J. Edgar Hoover’s enure, the head of the Bureau is appointed to a ten-year term, designed to overlap more than one administration. But the president can fire the FBI Director. And with the exception of Robert Mueller, who served President George W. Bush during and after 9/11, no FBI chief after Hoover has served their full ten-year term.
On Sunday, President Trump, during a White House reception for law enforcement and first responders, blew Comey a kiss, whispered something in his ear, and gave him a thumbs up sign as the two exchanged greetings.
The most fantastic thing I’ve ever seen. #tRump blows a kiss to #Comey. Thank you @fastny for creating this gem. pic.twitter.com/GhLTFHMDEL
— Jeffrey Guterman (@JeffreyGuterman) January 23, 2017
Many believe Comey is friendly to Trump, given his actions during the election. Comey chose to very publicly tell Congress the FBI had discovered a laptop shared by Clinton top aide Huma Abedin and her estranged husband Anthony Weiner, which had emails on it.Â
Election analysts, including Nate Silver, strongly believe Comey’s letter to Congress announcing the discovery of the emails turned the election to Trump’s favor.
I’ll put it like this: Clinton would almost certainly be President-elect if the election had been held on Oct. 27 (day before Comey letter).
— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) December 11, 2016
Comey also hid the fact that the FBI for many months has been investigating members of the Trump campaign and their relationship with Russian officials.Â
Director Comey “told his top agents from around the country that he had been asked by President Trump to stay on the job running the federal government’s top law enforcement agency,” The New York Times reports, citing “people familiar with the matter.”Â
“When Mr. Comey and the president-elect met in Trump Tower for the first time earlier this month for an intelligence briefing, Mr. Trump told the F.B.I. director that he hoped he would remain in his position, according to people briefed on the matter. And Mr. Trump’s aides have made it clear to Mr. Comey that the president does not plan to ask him to leave, these people said.”
The Dept. of Justice is reviewing the FBI’s handling of the investigation into Clinton’s emails, including Comey’s decision to publicize the discovery of Abedin’s laptop with Clinton emails.
Some responses via Twitter:
Comey was in on the plan. & Trump’s ego is so intense. pic.twitter.com/a5S0oX0KqP
— deray mckesson (@deray) January 22, 2017
Trump is planning to keep James Comey as FBI Director.
Comey gave him a job, so it looks like Trump is returning the favor.
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) January 24, 2017
Comey stays on as head of FBI. FBI now stands for “Federal Bureau of I Got Trump Elected.”
— Tea Pain (@TeaPainUSA) January 24, 2017
He’s keeping Comey. Quid pro quo. https://t.co/OFzq7oTtCj
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 24, 2017
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