Chris Kleponis—AFP
Media reports say controversial Republican, who is accused of damaging Hillary Clinton’s candidacy, has been asked to stay on.
U.S. President Donald Trump has asked FBI director James Comey to stay in his post, despite criticism for his actions during the presidential election, which many Democrats say damaged Hillary Clinton’s candidacy, media reports said on Tuesday.
Comey informed senior agents at the Federal Bureau of Investigation about Trump’s decision during a conference call last week, The New York Times reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.
The FBI director is a Republican who was appointed by former president Barack Obama in 2013.
An FBI spokeswoman declined to comment when asked about The New York Times report. The Washington Post also reported on Comey’s decision to stay on, citing unnamed sources.
Comey has faced tough criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for his role during last year’s election campaign in the investigation into Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was at the State Department.
Relations between the current White House and the FBI are especially sensitive because the Bureau is currently investigating potential ties of several Trump associates to Russian officials. Trump told Comey during their first meeting at Trump Tower in New York earlier this month that he hoped he would remain in office, the Times reported, citing anonymous sources.
“And Mr. Trump’s aides have made it clear to Mr. Comey that the president does not plan to ask him to leave,” the paper added at the time.
Although the director is appointed for a period of 10 years, the president has the power to dismiss him.
Comey first angered Republicans in July by recommending that Clinton not be prosecuted, though he called her actions “extremely careless.” Eleven days before the Nov. 8 election, he prompted more shock and dismay, this time among Democrats, by informing Congress that the FBI was reopening the inquiry into Clinton after some of her emails were discovered on the computer of an aide’s estranged husband.
Two days before the vote, the FBI said the emails contained no new relevant information. Clinton and many other Democrats blame Comey’s 11th-hour revelation for her defeat.
The Justice Department’s inspector general has launched an investigation into the FBI’s role in the Clinton case, including Comey’s decision to publicize it at a news conference in July and his October announcement on re-opening the case.