Moment by moment, here is how FBI Director James Comey's firing unfolded
President Trump's abrupt firing of FBI Director James Comey Tuesday evening sent Washington spiraling, while raising questions about everything from Mr. Trump's motives to how the closely-held decision happened.
Mr. Trump had lost confidence in Comey over the past months, the White House told reporters Wednesday night. Watching Comey's testimony last week -- testimony in which Comey misspoke about the Clinton email investigation -- inclined him to remove the FBI director, the White House said.
- Russia probe was picking up speed before Comey firing, sources say
Timing of James Comey's firing as FBI director raises questions
On Monday, Mr. Trump met with Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to discuss the reasons for removing Comey. The next day, Tuesday, Rosenstein sent his written recommendation justifying Comey's removal to Sessions, who in turn sent his own recommendation to Mr. Trump, according to the White House.
Mr. Trump's motive for firing Comey -- his mishandling of the Clinton email investigation is the justification Rosenstein offered -- is under scrutiny, as Comey was in the throes of managing the FBI's investigation into any ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, and was set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday.
The following are the details as they unfolded when Trump fired his FBI director:
Tuesday, May 9
6:51 a.m. (Eastern Time) CBS News confirms the FBI has acknowledged that Comey misspoke during testimony he gave the week before about how many Clinton emails Clinton aide Huma Abedin forwarded to her husband, congressman Anthony Weiner.
Shortly after 5 p.m. The White House emails the FBI to notify the agency that Comey is fired, Mr. Trump has his longtime body guard Keith Schiller hand deliver a letter to the FBI's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
5:30 p.m. Andrew McCabe is called into a meeting and appointed acting director of the FBI.
(Roughly) 5:30 p.m. Mr. Trump calls U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein and other lawmakers to say he would be removing Comey, and that the agency needs a change.
5:40 p.m. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer tells reporters who happen to be in the White House briefing room area that Comey has been fired. He and his staff then disappear, locking the door to his office behind them.
The White House emails a statement to reporters announcing Comey's removal.
"Today, President Donald J. Trump informed FBI Director James Comey that he has been terminated and removed from office," the statement from Spicer said. "President Trump acted based on the clear recommendations of both Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions."
The White House gives reporters Mr. Trump's letter firing Comey, along with letters from Sessions and from Rosenstein. Rosenstein's letter sets out the justification for Comey's firing — namely, his mishandling of the Clinton email investigation.
Meanwhile, Comey, at the Los Angeles FBI field office, walks into an area with numerous television screens on the walls. As he speaks with a handful of agents, either the agents first notice or he personally sees on TV that he has been fired, according to a CBS News source. Comey, taken by surprise, at first thought it was a joke. He goes with his security detail to a nearby office to verify that he has indeed been fired. He returns to the area with the TVs, by which point dozens of agents have gathered. He thanks them for their service and says he is proud of their work and dedication.
8 p.m. McCabe holds a video conference with the FBI's 56 field offices.
8:50 p.m. Comey boards a government plane in Los Angeles, presumably destined for the East Coast.
10:42 p.m. The president fires off one tweet about Comey's firing, putting down Democratic Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in the process.
Cryin' Chuck Schumer stated recently, "I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer." Then acts so indignant. #draintheswamp
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2017
Wednesday, May 10
Throughout the day, Mr. Trump unleashed a slew of tweets about Comey.
7:10 a.m. Trump tweets about how Democrats in the past have called for Comey's firing, but have since changed their tune.
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2017
7:27 a.m. Trump claims Comey lost the confidence of "almost everyone in Washington."
Also on Wednesday:
- A CBS News source says Comey met with Rosenstein last week to ask for additional resources for the investigation into any Russian ties to Mr. Trump's campaign.
- The White House confirms Mr. Trump met with McCabe behind closed doors, but would not give additional information.
- Comey sends a letter to his former agents and employees at the FBI, writing that he "long believed the president can fire an FBI director for any reason, or no reason at all."