why was the deputy attorney general in charge of comey?

by Jennings Gislason Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago 5 min read

When did Comey become Deputy Attorney General?

Prior to becoming Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Comey served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York from January 2002 to the time of his confirmation. From 1996 through 2001, Mr. Comey served as Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney in charge of the Richmond Division of the United States Attorney's office for the Eastern ...

What was James Comey’s federal employment?

In December 2003 Comey became deputy attorney general, the second highest official in the Department of Justice (DOJ). Serving as acting attorney general in 2004, during the incapacity of Attorney General John Ashcroft , he thwarted efforts by officials in Pres. George W. Bush ’s administration to obtain legal clearance for an aggressive domestic eavesdropping program.

Should Comey have turned his findings over to federal prosecution?

Between 2003 and 2005, he held the second highest position at the Justice Department, serving as Deputy Attorney General of the United States. In that role, Comey was responsible for supervising operations of the Department of Justice.

What did James Comey do at Columbia Law School?

May 10, 2017 · The deputy attorney general said Comey was "wrong to usurp the attorney general's authority" by going public with the FBI's recommendation. "It is not the function of the director to make such an ...

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Jun 21, 2013 · Prior to becoming deputy attorney general, Comey was the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He oversaw numerous terrorism cases and supervised prosecutions of executives of WorldCom, Adelphia, and …

Where was James Comey educated?

James Comey attended the College of William & Mary, where he studied chemistry and religion (B.S., 1982), and the University of Chicago Law School...

What were James Comey’s jobs?

James Comey’s federal employment included service as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York (1987–93) and for the Eastern...

What did James Comey write?

As an undergraduate at the College of William & Mary, James Comey wrote a thesis comparing theologian Reinhold Niebuhr and televangelist Jerry Falw...

Why is James Comey famous?

James Comey is famous for his disclosures (2016) regarding the FBI’s investigation of Hillary Clinton’s use of a private e-mail server as secretary...

Why was James Comey criticized?

Comey had been criticized in 2016 for his handling of the FBI 's investigation of the Hillary Clinton email controversy and in 2017 for the FBI's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections as it related to alleged collusion with Trump's presidential campaign.

What did Rosenstein say about Comey?

On May 8, 2017, Trump directed Attorney General Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein to provide advice and input in writing. On Trump's direction, on May 9, Rosenstein prepared and delivered a memorandum to Sessions relating to Comey (Sessions and Rosenstein had already begun considering whether to dismiss Comey months earlier). Rosenstein's memorandum said that the "reputation and credibility" of the FBI had been damaged under Comey's tenure, and the memo presented critical quotes from several former attorneys general in previously published op-eds; Rosenstein concluded that their "nearly unanimous opinions" were that Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation was "wrong." In his memo, Rosenstein asserted that the FBI must have "a Director who understands the gravity of the mistakes and pledges never to repeat them." He ended with an argument against keeping Comey as FBI director, on the grounds that he was given an opportunity to "admit his errors" but that there is no hope that he will "implement the necessary corrective actions." Rosenstein also criticized Comey on two other grounds: for usurping the prerogative of the Justice Department and the Attorney General in his July 2016 public statements announcing the closure of the investigation into Clinton's emails, and for making derogatory comments about Clinton in that same meeting. Both of these actions, he argued, were in conflict with longstanding FBI practice. To Comey's previous defense that Attorney General Loretta Lynch had a conflict of interest, Rosenstein argued that in such a case, it is the duty of the Attorney General to recuse herself, and that there is a process for another Justice Department official to take over her duties.

When was James Comey fired?

Dismissal of James Comey. James Comey, the seventh Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was fired by U.S. President Donald Trump on May 9, 2017. Comey had been criticized in 2016 for his handling of the FBI 's investigation of the Hillary Clinton email controversy and in 2017 for the FBI's investigation ...

Who appointed James Comey to the FBI?

Bush administration as Deputy Attorney General. He was appointed FBI Director by President Barack Obama. Comey was confirmed by the Senate in 2013 by a vote of 93–1.

Did James Comey testify to Congress?

In January 2017, Comey testified to Congress confirming Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections and confirmed an ongoing investigation, although he refused to comment specifically on the Trump organization. President-elect Trump stated his intention to keep Comey as the FBI director.

Why did Comey fire Trump?

On June 7, 2017, during an interview with MSNBC, House Speaker Paul Ryan stated that it's "obviously" inappropriate for the president to ask the FBI director for loyalty. According to sources, Comey's unwillingness to offer personal loyalty to Trump was one of the reasons for the firing.

What did Comey say about the FBI?

Comey, in his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on June 8, objected strongly to Trump's description of the FBI as "in disarray" and "poorly led". "The administration chose to defame me, and more importantly the FBI," Comey said. "Those were lies, plain and simple.".

What is an encyclopedia editor?

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. ...

Why is James Comey so famous?

Why is James Comey famous? James Comey is famous for his disclosures (2016) regarding the FBI ’s investigation of Hillary Clinton ’s use of a private e-mail server as secretary of state and for his firing (2017) as FBI director by Pres. Donald Trump after Comey testified to Congress regarding the FBI’s investigation of possible collusion between ...

Where did James Comey go to college?

James Comey attended the College of William & Mary, where he studied chemistry and religion (B.S., 1982), and the University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1985).

Who was the acting attorney general in 2004?

Serving as acting attorney general in 2004, during the incapacity of Attorney General John Ashcroft, he thwarted efforts by officials in Pres. George W. Bush ’s administration to obtain legal clearance for an aggressive domestic eavesdropping program.

Who was the FBI director in 2013?

FBI director: Hillary Clinton e-mail inquiry, Donald Trump, and firing. In June 2013 Pres. Barack Obama officially nominated Comey to head the FBI, replacing the retiring Robert Mueller. Comey was easily confirmed by the Senate, and his 10-year term began on September 4, 2013. Notable events during his tenure included the agency’s investigation ...

Read the White House documents below

Today, President Donald J. Trump informed FBI Director James Comey that he has been terminated and removed from office. President Trump acted based o

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Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.

What did Rosenstein say about the FBI?

On Tuesday, Rosenstein detailed his case in a letter, titled "Restoring public confidence in the FBI, " and sent it to Sessions earlier in the day. "The FBI's reputation and credibility have suffered substantial damage, and it has affected the entire Department of Justice. That is deeply troubling to many Department employees and veterans, legislators and citizens," Rosenstein said. "I cannot defend the directors handling of the conclusion of the investigation of Secretary Clinton's emails, and I do not understand his refusal to accept the nearly universal judgment that he was mistaken."

When did Comey testify?

FBI Director James Comey arrives to testify before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 3. The White House removed him from his role Tuesday. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Was James Comey fired?

U.S. James Comey FBI Donald Trump Fired. Just hours after the FBI sent a letter Tuesday to the Senate Judiciary Committee clarifying his testimony in relation to the Hillary Clinton email scandal , FBI Director James Comey was fired. "Today, President Donald J. Trump informed FBI Director James Comey that he has been terminated ...

What does Rosenstein say about Comey's departure?

Rosenstein cites several attorneys general and other authorities who decried Comey's actions as a "departure from the department's widely respected, nonpartisan traditions." Rosenstein writes that "we should reject the departure and return to the traditions."

When did James Comey testify?

FBI Director James Comey testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on "Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation" on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2017. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters. Just hours after the FBI sent a letter Tuesday to the Senate Judiciary Committee clarifying his testimony in relation to ...

Did Comey give a news conference?

Rosenstein writes that Comey should not have given a news conference last July recommending that Clinton, who used a private email server while secretary of state, not face criminal charges. The deputy attorney general writes that Comey should have turned his findings over to federal prosecutors. He also takes issue with Comey's decision to send a letter just days before the November election revealing newly discovered Clinton emails. "When federal agents and prosecutors quietly open a criminal investigation, we are not concealing anything; we are simply following the longstanding policy that we refrain from publicizing non-public information," the letter states.

Did Obama wiretap his phone?

The president recently accused his predecessor, Barack Obama, of wiretapping his phones during the campaign. Comey has shut down this allegation, explaining that Obama could not order a wiretap of anyone's phone unchecked.

Overview

James Comey, the seventh Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was fired by U.S. President Donald Trump on May 9, 2017. Comey had been criticized in 2016 for his handling of the FBI's investigation of the Hillary Clinton email controversy and in 2017 for the FBI's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections as it related to alleged collusion with Trump's preside…

Background

The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is appointed by the President and, since 1972, confirmed by the Senate. Beginning in 1976, the director's term has been limited to ten years, which is a relatively long tenure that is meant to deter political pressure. The term can be extended with the approval of the Senate. Nevertheless, although the FBI director is appointed fo…

Dismissal

Post-dismissal

Criticism of Trump's decision came immediately from various experts on governance and authoritarianism, and various politicians from across the political spectrum. Top Republicanpoliticians supported the firing. Many elected officials called for a special prosecutor or independent commission to continue the investigation into Russia's influence on the election, while some Republica…

FBI investigation of Russian interference

In the Comey termination letter, Trump asserted that Comey had told him on three occasions that he (Trump) was not under investigation. The assertion was challenged. Fact checkers reported that while they had no way of knowing what Comey may have told Trump privately, no such assertion was on the public record, and the White House declined to provide any more detail. According to …

Reactions from Congress

Several Democratic members of Congress – among them, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, and California Rep. Maxine Waters – and some commentators suggested that Trump's rationale for Comey's dismissal in the interview amounted to a de facto admission to obstruction of justice. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democratic membersaid it was "ex…

Commentary

A number of professors of law, political science, and history have criticized the firing and argue that Trump's action destabilizes democratic norms and the rule of law in the U.S. Some have argued that Trump's action creates a constitutional crisis. Parallels have been drawn with other leaders who have slowly eroded democratic norms in their countries, such as Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan or Hungary's Viktor Orbán; political science professor Sheri Bermansaid those lea…

Testimony

In Comey's June 8 testimony, he said it was not for him to say whether Trump's February 14 request amounted to obstruction of justice, adding "But that's a conclusion I'm sure the special counsel will work toward, to try and understand what the intention was there and whether that's an offense." Some legal experts have said that Comey's testimony advanced the argument that Trump attempted to obstruct justice in his dealings with then-FBI Director James Comey. Diane …