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James Comey fired: calls for special prosecutor after Trump sacks FBI director – live updates James Comey fired: calls for special prosecutor after Trump sacks FBI director – live updates
(35 minutes later)
2.08am BST
02:08
White House deputy press sec: 'Time to move' on from Russian investigation
Deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, in the middle of all this, on the Russia investigation: "It's time to move on" pic.twitter.com/aJYO0UljCv
2.01am BST
02:01
Another example of Trump’s former admiration for Comey. In January the president singled the FBI director out for praise at a White House reception for law enforcement, exclaiming: “he’s become more famous than me.”
1.54am BST
01:54
NYT reporting that initially Comey thought the whole thing was a practical joke.
When James Comey first learned he had been fired, he thought it was a fairly funny prank https://t.co/cy1VYUKHJZ pic.twitter.com/QWqd8qNf5i
1.53am BST
01:53
Speaking of Trump praising Comey, this is from October ...
1.51am BST
01:51
As the interview continues, Conway brings up criticism of Comey by the Democrats:
“What happened to all the Democrats who had no confidence in Comey when it was politically expedient for them?” she asks.
When Cooper asks about Trump’s previous praise for Comey, Conway ducks the questio and responds that “as president of the US [Trump] needs confidence in the director of the FBI and he doesn’t have it.”
She goes on to quote from the Rosenstein letter and says: “this has nothing to do with the campaign six months ago ... it has everything to do with whether the current FBI director has the president’s confidence.”
Anderson Cooper calls out Kellyanne Conway: your explanation for why Trump fired Comey doesn't make any sense. pic.twitter.com/NBflbxNPyP
1.46am BST
01:46
Kellyanne Conway speaks to Anderson Cooper on CNN
Conway says Trump’s removal of Comey is solely about “restoring public confidence in the FBI”.
Cooper is talking about how this is actually destroying confidence in the Russia investigations.
Conway replies: “Today’s actions had zero to do with that.”
1.40am BST
01:40
In scenes strangely reminiscent of the OJ Simpson chase, Fox News has sent a helicopter to film Comey’s car as it travels along an LA freeway.
The US government is at present literally a reality TV show as Fox News chases FBI Comey's car in LA. pic.twitter.com/eE8n570LBb
1.33am BST1.33am BST
01:3301:33
Comey won't talk to press tonightComey won't talk to press tonight
FBI LA Field Office Says Comey not speaking tonight - returning to DCFBI LA Field Office Says Comey not speaking tonight - returning to DC
CNN has been musing on how exactly Comey will return to DC.CNN has been musing on how exactly Comey will return to DC.
They say Comey flew out to meet FBI staff on a special, secure, plane which has a hotline to the president and other security features. Now he has been relieved of his position how will he get home?They say Comey flew out to meet FBI staff on a special, secure, plane which has a hotline to the president and other security features. Now he has been relieved of his position how will he get home?
“Does he come back on that plane, does he have to fly commercial. We don’t know,” says Evan Perez, justice correspondent.“Does he come back on that plane, does he have to fly commercial. We don’t know,” says Evan Perez, justice correspondent.
1.31am BST1.31am BST
01:3101:31
Trump’s controversial move has found *some* support from Republicans.Trump’s controversial move has found *some* support from Republicans.
Senator Susan Collins released a statement says suggestions that the firing of Comey was related to the FBI’s investigation of Russian attempts to influence the 2016 election were “misplaced”.Senator Susan Collins released a statement says suggestions that the firing of Comey was related to the FBI’s investigation of Russian attempts to influence the 2016 election were “misplaced”.
The President did not fire the entire FBI; he fired the director. I have every confidence that the FBI will continue to pursue its investigation. In addition, I am certain that the Senate Intelligence Committee, on which I serve, will continue its own bipartisan investigation and will follow the evidence wherever it leads. I hope that the next FBI Director will have the same kind of integrity, intelligence, and determination that Mr. Comey exhibited, but perhaps better judgment on when it is appropriate to comment publicly on the results of an investigation.”The President did not fire the entire FBI; he fired the director. I have every confidence that the FBI will continue to pursue its investigation. In addition, I am certain that the Senate Intelligence Committee, on which I serve, will continue its own bipartisan investigation and will follow the evidence wherever it leads. I hope that the next FBI Director will have the same kind of integrity, intelligence, and determination that Mr. Comey exhibited, but perhaps better judgment on when it is appropriate to comment publicly on the results of an investigation.”
1.28am BST1.28am BST
01:2801:28
Fox News is drawing attention to the fact that Bill Clinton also fired an FBI director.Fox News is drawing attention to the fact that Bill Clinton also fired an FBI director.
Since 1972, Comey is only the second FBI Director to be removed by the President. https://t.co/IO7R1bJKjlSince 1972, Comey is only the second FBI Director to be removed by the President. https://t.co/IO7R1bJKjl
Clinton did indeed sack Sessions in 1993 on the basis of an ethics investigation into his conduct carried out under George HW Bush into alleged abuse of office. However, Julian Borger explained in January that any move by Trump to dismiss Comey while the president’s associates were under investigation would be highly controversial and akin to Richard Nixon’s dismissal of special prosecutor Archibald Cox in 1973.Clinton did indeed sack Sessions in 1993 on the basis of an ethics investigation into his conduct carried out under George HW Bush into alleged abuse of office. However, Julian Borger explained in January that any move by Trump to dismiss Comey while the president’s associates were under investigation would be highly controversial and akin to Richard Nixon’s dismissal of special prosecutor Archibald Cox in 1973.
1.27am BST1.27am BST
01:2701:27
Seems this is not quite going according to the administration’s plan ...Seems this is not quite going according to the administration’s plan ...
White House told allies that Democrats wouldn't be able to protest it because of their previous Comey criticisms https://t.co/2auSk02122White House told allies that Democrats wouldn't be able to protest it because of their previous Comey criticisms https://t.co/2auSk02122
1.26am BST1.26am BST
01:2601:26
Trump plans to meet Lavrov on WednesdayTrump plans to meet Lavrov on Wednesday
Timing!Timing!
In possible sign of closer ties between US and Russia, Trump plans to meet Russia's foreign minister at White House. https://t.co/n9K6nEy2GrIn possible sign of closer ties between US and Russia, Trump plans to meet Russia's foreign minister at White House. https://t.co/n9K6nEy2Gr
1.19am BST1.19am BST
01:1901:19
Andrew McCabe now in charge of FBI – reportsAndrew McCabe now in charge of FBI – reports
CNN says the deputy director is now acting director of the bureau while Jeff Sessions reviews potential candidates to take Comey’s place.CNN says the deputy director is now acting director of the bureau while Jeff Sessions reviews potential candidates to take Comey’s place.
1.16am BST
01:16
More Democrat senators are expressing disquiet over the sacking of Comey:
I share the Chairman's concern. https://t.co/evw8G5o2DD
It defies logic to believe @POTUS fired Comey for any other reason than to interfere with the #TrumpRussia investigation. My statement: pic.twitter.com/IONbskhYr2
1.07am BST
01:07
Keith Schiller hand delivered letter to FBI
Ben Jacobs
The Guardian confirmed that Keith Schiller, Trump’s longtime bodyguard, hand delivered a copy of letter sacking Comey to the FBI.
Schiller, whose title in the administration is “Director of Oval Office Operations,” is the subject of ongoing litigation for allegedly assaulting protestors outside Trump Tower in 2015.
The loyal Trump aide has worked for the President since 1999 when he was first hired to be Trump’s bodyguard and constantly accompanied Trump on the campaign trial.
The dispatch of Schiller, a former New York City policeman, to formally notify Comey of his firing is one of the more unusual aspects of the drama. Comey, as we have noted below, was not in Washington to receive the letter and instead, reportedly learned of his dismissal from television news.
1.05am BST
01:05
Jeffrey Toobin, CNN’s senior legal analyst and former federal prosecutor, make a great point about the Trump letter which “terminated” James Comey’s employment. In the letter Trump thanks Comey for apparently three times telling him he was not under investigation. (BTW: we don’t know whether that statement is actually true).
It is not normal. This is not how presidents behave. They don’t exonerate themselves in letters in which they fire the person who is investigating them. It is just not how American history has unfolded.”
1.02am BST
01:02
More on how Comey learned he was out.
Understand that #Comey was in mid speech addressing agents in LA when handed a note by aide. He read it & told staff he'd been fired
1.01am BST
01:01
It is not just Democrats who are concerned over the administration’s treatment of Comey. Republican senator and Trump supporter Richard Burr has been tweeting his thoughts and says he was troubled by the “timing and reasoning” of the termination.
My statement on the dismissal of FBI Director Comey https://t.co/ovoe34xajZ pic.twitter.com/1hB0QveczE
His dismissal further confuses an already difficult investigation by the Committee.
His dismissal, I believe, is a loss for the Bureau and the nation.
12.51am BST
00:51
Here is a video of Chuck Schumer describing how he told Trump that he was making a “big mistake” firing Comey and that the president needs to answer a key question: “Why now?”.
Sen. Schumer to President Trump on firing James Comey: "You are making a big mistake" https://t.co/6IqYfEE8QV
In response, a White House aide has circulated a memo detailing times when Schumer criticised Comey.
BREAKING: WH aide just handed this out, noting Schumer's recent criticisms of Comey. pic.twitter.com/wdq2RdnUXz
Updated
at 12.52am BST
12.48am BST
00:48
GOP congressman and Freedom Caucus member Justin Amash has said wants an independent commission on Russia to be set up in the wake of Comey’s sacking.
My staff and I are reviewing legislation to establish an independent commission on Russia. The second paragraph of this letter is bizarre. https://t.co/wXeDtVIQiP
12.44am BST
00:44
Hello, Bonnie Malkin here picking up the blog from Sam for the coming hours.
The New York Times is reporting that Comey learned of his firing while he was addressing FBI employees in Los Angeles.
Comey learned of firing as he addressed FBI employees in LA. TV screens in background flashed news of firing. Letter was then given to FBI.
12.37am BST
00:37
What led to Comey's downfall
Guardian reporters Sabrina Siddiqui and Ben Jacobs have an analysis on how Comey became tangled in the US election and what led to his downfall:
His decision to use a lengthy press conference to clear Clinton of any criminal activity on 6 July – even as he characterized her behavior as “extremely careless” – was met with scorn by Trump and Republicans running to thwart her White House ambitions.
That moment swiftly transformed Comey into Public Enemy No 1 on the right, which accused him of giving Clinton preferential treatment as the central plank of their campaign collapsed, after months of arguing that her email use had disqualified her from the presidency.
Here’s the full piece:
And with that, we’re passing the blog to our colleague Bonnie Malkin, who will continue to post live updates here.
12.27am BST
00:27
Chuck Schumer calls for special prosecutor
The Senate minority leader has weighed in:
First Pres Trump fired Sally Yates, then Preet Bharara. Now #Comey. Doesn't seem like an accident. We must have a special prosecutor.
He added, “If we don’t get a special prosecutor, every American will rightfully suspect that the decision to fire #Comey was part of a cover-up.”
Meanwhile Brian Schatz, US senator from Hawaii has offered an even stronger rebuke of Trump:
We are in a full-fledged constitutional crisis.