Follow up to previous postings included in Comey Asks Justice Dept. to Reject Trump’s Wiretapping Claim – tonight via CNN – Trump’s letter firing FBI Director James Comey – (Comey was appointed for a 10 year term.)

Update – Politico – The Problems With the FBI’s Email Investigation Went Well Beyond Comey – “…the FBI is under an affirmative duty to comply, and a failure to do so could be considered obstruction of justice. In general, any official documents that were in Comey’s office relating to the Russia investigation, such as memos regarding investigative steps or conclusions, approvals for decisions taken and communications with field offices would become part of the case file itself. Personal notes, emails and informal communications would likely be compartmentalized, classified if necessary, and remain in the custody of acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe…”

The Washington Post – Inside Trump’s anger and impatience — and his sudden decision to fire Comey, May 10, 2017. “But the private accounts of more than 30 officials at the White House, the Justice Department, the FBI and on Capitol Hill, as well as Trump confidants and other senior Republicans, paint a conflicting narrative centered on the president’s brewing personal animus toward Comey.”

The Washington Post – “Officials said director had mishandled probe of Hillary Clinton’s emails – “Officials said FBI Director James B. Comey was dismissed after senior Justice Department officials concluded he had violated department principles and procedures by publicly discussing an investigation of Clinton’s use of private email. Just last week, President Trump publicly accused Comey of giving Clinton, his Democratic challenger for president, “a free pass for many bad deeds” when he decided not to recommend criminal charges in the case.”

ProPublica – Comey’s Testimony on Huma Abedin Forwarding Emails Was Inaccurate – “The FBI hasn’t decided how to correct the director’s false claim that she forwarded thousands of Clinton emails to the laptop computer of her husband, former Congressman Anthony Weiner. ”

The New York Times – Handling of Clinton Emails and Russia Meddling Criticized – “President Trump has fired the director of the F.B.I., James B. Comey, over his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails, the White House said.”

The Firing of James Comey – NYT Editorial Board –  “Despite claims to the contrary, the F.B.I. director was clearly ousted for leading an investigation into Russian ties that could threaten the president.”

The New York Times – Echoes of Watergate in Trump’s Abrupt Move – “Mr. Trump’s decision drew instant comparisons to President Richard M. Nixon’s firing of the special prosecutor looking into the so-called third-rate burglary that would eventually bring him down.”

Updates and Reactions to Comey’s Firing – The New York Times – Democrats called for the appointment of an independent prosecutor.

• • Bio of Comey via Wikipedia.
  • Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) via The Hill – “The FBI Director serves at the pleasure of the president. Under these circumstances, President Trump accepted the recommendation of the Justice Department (AG Jeff Sessions) that the Director lacked the confidence needed to carry out his important duties.”
  • Comey Sought to Expand Russia Inquiry – Made Request to Official Who Wrote Memo on His Firing
    • Last week, James B. Comey asked the Justice Department for a significant increase in resources for the F.B.I.’s Russia investigation.
    • He made the appeal to the deputy attorney general, who wrote the memo used to justify his firing.
    • Via CNN – Text of Comey’s farewell message to friends and agents at the FBI.