Trump’s decision to fire Comey raises questions about Russia

A White House statement on Tuesday said President Donald Trump had fired FBI Director James Comey, setting off an outcry from Democrats and some Republicans.

The statement from Trump’s Office of Public Liaison did not specify a reason for the move.

The announcement came after Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee he was not personally under investigation for the firing.

Comey’s resignation was confirmed by Vice President Mike Pence on Monday.

Comey was not directly involved in any of the investigations that led to the firing of former President Donald Trumps former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former FBI Director Robert Mueller, former CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.

Comey had been leading the FBI’s investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion between Russia and Trump’s campaign.

The White House did not cite any specific allegations or actions that led Trump to fire the FBI director.

The Senate Intelligence committee also did not directly cite the Trump administration’s decision as the reason for Comey’s firing.

Trump has repeatedly dismissed Comey as an obstructionist.

Trump fired Comey in May after a weeklong investigation into his handling of the Clinton email investigation and allegations of Russian interference in last year’s election.

Comey testified before Congress in October that he had not been under investigation.

The president, however, has denied having any improper influence over the FBI.

The FBI was investigating whether Trump or his associates were trying to interfere in the presidential election with the help of a Russian government agent.

The investigation was prompted by a report by the FBI that Russia had hacked the Democratic National Committee and Democratic campaign chairman, John Podesta.

Trump denied any collusion with Russia in his response to the investigation.

He said he fired Comey to protect himself.

The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill last week that would have fired Comey and Trump.

Comey, who had been appointed FBI director in 2017, was expected to announce his resignation at a news conference on Tuesday.