- The Washington Times - Tuesday, January 24, 2017

President Trump has asked FBI Director James B. Comey to remain at his job, according to a published report.

Mr. Comey has told his top agents from around the country that he had been asked by the president to stay, The New York Times reported Tuesday. Mr. Trump had a brief encounter with Mr. Comey at the White House Sunday during a reception honoring law-enforcement officials and first responders.

Nominated to the post by then-President Obama in 2013, Mr. Comey was confirmed by the Senate to a 10-year term in July 2013.

He was at the center of a political furor during the presidential campaign over his decisions involving an investigation of Democrat Hillary Clinton’s email server. First, critics blasted Mr. Comey for deciding not to prosecute Mrs. Clinton, then he came in for another round of criticism when he announced weeks before the election that the FBI was reviewing more emails that had been uncovered.

Many Democrats blamed him for meddling in the election and damaging Mrs. Clinton’s candidacy.

The decision to keep Mr. Comey in his post also will keep him at the center of the FBI’s probe of some of Mr. Trump’s allies and their alleged connections to Russia, accusations that the Trump team has rejected vehemently.

• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Click to Read More and View Comments

Click to Hide