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Donald Trump fires FBI director James Comey: all the news and reaction – live James Comey firing: FBI director's dismissal rocks Washington – live
(35 minutes later)
1.22pm BST
13:22
Where will conservatives and elected Republicans settle in reaction to the Comey firing?
Will they see a threat to the rule of law, condemn Trump, promote a special prosecution of the Russia inquiry and bring their leverage to bear in Congress, where the president has tenuous health care and tax reform initiatives afloat?
Or will Republicans sense a political opening and once again back the president?
House Speaker Paul Ryan's office issued 3 press releases yesterday: 2 on health care, 1 on South Korea. 0 on Comey. https://t.co/TCNVyJoty6
David Frum is a former George W Bush speechwriter and conservative thought-leader who’s long opposed Trump. He ticks off the names of three Republican senators who have expressed a distinct lack of discomfort at the Comey firing:
Grassley, Cornyn, Collins. All aboard the Trump train. pic.twitter.com/G2wx2MS44h
This morning, it seems that 2/3 of what used to be called the conservative moment is jumping aboard as well. https://t.co/C3fYOyXGYo
1.16pm BST
13:16
Rudy?
.@RosieGray Just now: a source close to the president tells me Giuliani is 100% in consideration for the position.
Not Rudy?
Giuliani tells @rosiegray he's not a candidate for FBI Director https://t.co/t6yxrF7bZ9
Rudy Giuliani is a former federal prosecutor and NYC mayor whose hard-line law-and-order views and past Trump support reflect those of the current head of the justice department, attorney general Jeff Sessions.
1.10pm BST
13:10
Trump predicts he will be thanked for firing Comey
Here’s a roundup of Trump tweets about the Comey affair sent last night and this morning:
Cryin' Chuck Schumer stated recently, "I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer." Then acts so indignant. #draintheswamp
The Democrats have said some of the worst things about James Comey, including the fact that he should be fired, but now they play so sad!
James Comey will be replaced by someone who will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI.
Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike. When things calm down, they will be thanking me!
While his role in the last presidential election had sullied his reputation, Comey was not the Washington pariah that Trump here makes him out to be. He was admired on both sides of the aisle for his professional integrity and commitment. Both George W Bush and Barack Obama appointed him to top jobs in the justice department. “To know Jim Comey is also to know his fierce independence and his deep integrity,” Obama said in naming him FBI director.
Read more about Comey here:
1.04pm BST
13:04
Trump discussed firing Comey with figure in Russia inquiry – report
In testimony before Congress on 20 March, former FBI director James Comey confirmed in public for the first time that the bureau was investigating Russian ties to the Trump campaign.
One name that came up repeatedly at the hearing: Roger Stone, the Trump associate and political operative who had seemed to predict trouble for Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta in advance of Wikileaks’ release of Podesta’s emails.
Politico reports this morning that Stone was counseling Trump to fire Comey:
While shock dominated much of the FBI and the White House, the mood was more elated at Roger Stone’s house in Florida. Several Stone allies and friends said Stone, who has been frequently mentioned in the investigation, encouraged the president to fire Comey in conversations in recent weeks.
On Twitter, Stone signaled praise for the move by posting an image of Trump from The Apprentice saying “You’re fired.”
Stone declined to comment Tuesday night but said he was enjoying a fine cigar.
Discussing the FBI Director's termination w Roger Stone is so blatantly improper I can't wrap my head around it. https://t.co/9iT1hHICzc pic.twitter.com/zfChSpkgPA
12.22pm BST12.22pm BST
12:2212:22
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of fallout from president Donald Trump’s firing on Tuesday of FBI director James Comey.Hello and welcome to our live coverage of fallout from president Donald Trump’s firing on Tuesday of FBI director James Comey.
The White House has said, in a series of official letters, that Comey was fired for mishandling an investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails. But that explanation is the object of intense skepticism this morning, with critics claiming that Trump has attacked the independence of the justice department and the rule of law, either out of personal anger or impulsiveness, or out of a desire to protect himself or his associates from the law.The White House has said, in a series of official letters, that Comey was fired for mishandling an investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails. But that explanation is the object of intense skepticism this morning, with critics claiming that Trump has attacked the independence of the justice department and the rule of law, either out of personal anger or impulsiveness, or out of a desire to protect himself or his associates from the law.
Republican senators (no less) have pointed out that at the time of his firing Comey was heading up an investigation of ties between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign. Reports emerged after Comey’s firing on Tuesday night that that investigation had taken a substantive new twist, with grand jury subpoenas being issued for records belonging to associates of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, a central figure in the investigation.Republican senators (no less) have pointed out that at the time of his firing Comey was heading up an investigation of ties between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign. Reports emerged after Comey’s firing on Tuesday night that that investigation had taken a substantive new twist, with grand jury subpoenas being issued for records belonging to associates of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, a central figure in the investigation.
If a desire to derail the Russia inquiry was a factor in Comey’s firing, other elements were also in play, including Trump’s unique personality. The president had grown increasingly angry with his inability to quell the Russian inquiry, according to a Politico report overnight. One of his spokespeople dispatched late Tuesday, Sarah Sanders, told reporters that it was “time to move on” from the Russia question.If a desire to derail the Russia inquiry was a factor in Comey’s firing, other elements were also in play, including Trump’s unique personality. The president had grown increasingly angry with his inability to quell the Russian inquiry, according to a Politico report overnight. One of his spokespeople dispatched late Tuesday, Sarah Sanders, told reporters that it was “time to move on” from the Russia question.
Here’s a selection from that Politico piece:Here’s a selection from that Politico piece:
President Trump has been screaming at the television @jdawsey1 reports https://t.co/GsLrFyCs8G pic.twitter.com/Ez5mBz7kZpPresident Trump has been screaming at the television @jdawsey1 reports https://t.co/GsLrFyCs8G pic.twitter.com/Ez5mBz7kZp
The White House was caught off guard by the strong reaction to the Comey firing, the New York Times reported. A second spokesperson, Sean Spicer, said that the timing of Comey’s firing was the result of a justice department recommendation in a letter that turned out to have been sent that same day. Not all conservatives were buying it:The White House was caught off guard by the strong reaction to the Comey firing, the New York Times reported. A second spokesperson, Sean Spicer, said that the timing of Comey’s firing was the result of a justice department recommendation in a letter that turned out to have been sent that same day. Not all conservatives were buying it:
The Rosenstein memo is dated...today. So there was no real recommendation from DOJ. Trump wanted to do it, and they created a paper trail.The Rosenstein memo is dated...today. So there was no real recommendation from DOJ. Trump wanted to do it, and they created a paper trail.
This morning in this blog we’ll be collecting reactions to the Comey firing as they unfold. Below is a roundup of reactions to the news last night and this morning from prominent Republicans.This morning in this blog we’ll be collecting reactions to the Comey firing as they unfold. Below is a roundup of reactions to the news last night and this morning from prominent Republicans.
Governor John Kasich: “extremely troubled”Governor John Kasich: “extremely troubled”
Gov. John Kasich statement on James Comey pic.twitter.com/Wrwj6sGqnzGov. John Kasich statement on James Comey pic.twitter.com/Wrwj6sGqnz
Senator Richard Burr, chairman of the intelligence committee, which is investigating the Trump-Russia link: “troubled”Senator Richard Burr, chairman of the intelligence committee, which is investigating the Trump-Russia link: “troubled”
I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey’s termination.I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey’s termination.
Senator John McCain: “disappointed”Senator John McCain: “disappointed”
While the President has the legal authority to remove the Director of the FBI, I am disappointed in the President’s decision to remove James Comey from office. James Comey is a man of honor and integrity, and he has led the FBI well in extraordinary circumstances. I have long called for a special congressional committee to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. The president’s decision to remove the FBI Director only confirms the need and the urgency of such a committee.While the President has the legal authority to remove the Director of the FBI, I am disappointed in the President’s decision to remove James Comey from office. James Comey is a man of honor and integrity, and he has led the FBI well in extraordinary circumstances. I have long called for a special congressional committee to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. The president’s decision to remove the FBI Director only confirms the need and the urgency of such a committee.
Senator Marco Rubio: “surprised”Senator Marco Rubio: “surprised”
Marco Rubio "surprised" by Comey's firing, "but it's a decision the president's made and we'll go from here." https://t.co/PGVFL9o6DK pic.twitter.com/HWVS4DWLsRMarco Rubio "surprised" by Comey's firing, "but it's a decision the president's made and we'll go from here." https://t.co/PGVFL9o6DK pic.twitter.com/HWVS4DWLsR
Senator Ben Sasse: “very troubling”Senator Ben Sasse: “very troubling”
my statement on Comey firing pic.twitter.com/Mc4o4pnQavmy statement on Comey firing pic.twitter.com/Mc4o4pnQav
Former NYC mayor and prosecutor Rudy Giuliani: “correct” decisionFormer NYC mayor and prosecutor Rudy Giuliani: “correct” decision
Just now: Giuliani here at the Trump hotel, says he thinks Trump was correct to fire Comey. pic.twitter.com/a8PiCSbQG4Just now: Giuliani here at the Trump hotel, says he thinks Trump was correct to fire Comey. pic.twitter.com/a8PiCSbQG4
Trump himself has started the morning with a typical Twitter blast:Trump himself has started the morning with a typical Twitter blast:
The Democrats have said some of the worst things about James Comey, including the fact that he should be fired, but now they play so sad!The Democrats have said some of the worst things about James Comey, including the fact that he should be fired, but now they play so sad!
Thanks for reading and please join us in the comments.Thanks for reading and please join us in the comments.