FBI deputy director steps down amid Trump criticism
The deputy director of the FBI has stepped
down, a decision that comes amid several weeks of harsh criticism from
Donald Trump, US media has reported.
Andrew McCabe resigned from his position
on Monday, the Associated Press reported, quoting two anonymous sources
familiar with the decision who were not authorised to speak to the
media.
The exact reason behind McCabe's early departure from the agency remains unknown, AP said.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the White
House does not "have any specific comments" on the reports, and she
referred reporters to the FBI "on any specifics".
Sanders added the White House had no hand in McCabe's decision to step down.
McCabe, who assumed his position as deputy director in 2016
and had planned to retire this spring, has come under fire from the US
president in recent weeks.
Trump has accused McCabe of exerting influence on the FBI's
decision not to file charges against Hillary Clinton over her use of a
private email server.
In December, he tweeted that McCabe was "racing the clock to retire with full benefits".
Trump also reportedly summoned McCabe to his office in May,
shortly after he had fired FBI Director James Comey, to ask him whom he
voted for in the 2016 elections, The Washington Post reported last week.
McCabe was serving as the FBI's acting director at the time.
When asked on January 25 to confirm or deny the report, Sanders said:
"The president and Andrew McCabe have had limited and pretty
non-substantive conversations. I can't get into the details of what was
discussed. I wasn't there. There are widespread reports of his
retirement."
FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is, and has been, a dedicated public servant who has served this country well. Bogus attacks on the FBI and DOJ to distract attention from a legitimate criminal inquiry does long term, unnecessary damage to these foundations of our government.— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) January 29, 2018
As news of the surprise resignation broke on Monday, Eric
Holder, the US attorney general under Barack Obama, tweeted his support
for McCabe.
"FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is, and has been, a
dedicated public servant who has served this country well," Holder
wrote.
Source: Al Jazeera
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