Here's Who Might Be in Line to Replace Comey

John Pistole, Rudy Giuliani are possibilities
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted May 10, 2017 8:57 AM CDT
Here's Who Might Be in Line to Replace Comey
John Pistole in Washington in 2013.   (AP Photo/Molly Riley, File)

James Comey is out as director of the FBI—but who's in? Comey's deputy, Andrew McCabe, has become acting director and is a potential candidate to fill the post permanently, reports CNN. But he's not the only one. John Pistole, the FBI's deputy director under former President George W. Bush and TSA administrator under former President Obama, is a possibility, as is Ray Kelly, who served as NYPD commissioner for 13 years before joining Bill Clinton's administration, CNN reports. Fox News names Trey Gowdy, the former chairman of the Select Committee on Benghazi, as another possibility. Rudy Giuliani or Chris Christie could also get the promotion, though the choice of either would be heavily criticized.

Republicans and Democrats have suggested Comey's replacement be a credible individual with a background in law enforcement. Democrats add the person should have no political or professional link to Trump; both Giuliani and Christie backed Trump during his campaign and have remained close to him. We won't be long in suspense: A White House official tells the New York Times that Trump plans to fill the post by the end of the week. He offered no clue to his feelings in a tweet Wednesday, but said Comey's replacement "will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI," per the Hill. The appointment needs just 51 votes to pass the Senate. (Many are calling Comey's firing "Nixonian.")

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