In his first interview since Comey's dismissal, Trump told NBC News the former FBI head was a 'grandstander'.
ADVERTISEMENTAs the fallout over the firing of FBI chief James Comey continues, so does the confusion.
President Donald Trump insisted he wasn’t under investigation in a probe into Russian meddling in the presidential election, and undercut the White House argument that justice officials recommended Comey be dismissed, saying it was his decision alone.
“He’s a showboat, he’s a grandstander. The FBI has been in turmoil. You know that. I know that. Everybody knows that. But regardless of (any) recommendations I was going to fire Comey,” Trump explained.
Meanwhile, the acting FBI head Andrew McCabe, told senators that the agency would ‘vigorously pursue’ the Russia investigation, adding there was ‘no crisis of confidence within the leadership of the FBI’, contradicting Trump’s appraisal.
“I can tell you that I hold Director Comey in the absolute highest regard. I have the highest respect for his considerable abilities and his integrity, and it has been the greatest privilege and honour of my professional life to work with him. I can tell you also that Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI and still does to this day,” McCabe told senators.
Comey’s dismissal came amid reports that he had asked for additional resources to conduct the Russia probe. The Democrats have accused the Republican President of attempting to derail the FBI investigation, and are calling for a special prosecutor to look into the case.