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FORMER FBI DIRECTOR James Comey has said in a farewell letter to colleagues that he will “be fine,” and won’t dwell on how he was fired by President Donald Trump.
CNN reported the text of the letter sent by the former FBI director last night,
Comey was abruptly dismissed Tuesday by the Republican president, who said the issue was Comey’s inability to lead. But the decision surprised many since it was Comey himself leading the investigation of Trump’s campaign and Russia.
“I have long believed that a President can fire an FBI Director for any reason, or for no reason at all. I’m not going to spend time on the decision or the way it was executed,” Comey said in a letter to agents and colleagues.
I hope you won’t either. It is done, and I will be fine, although I will miss you and the mission deeply
“In times of turbulence, the American people should see the FBI as a rock of competence, honesty, and independence. What makes leaving the FBI hard is the nature and quality of its people, who together make it that rock for America,” Comey added.
Trump’s stunning sacking of Comey sparked a political firestorm in Washington and plunged his young presidency into turmoil.
Furious Democrats suggested the FBI’s work will now be hopelessly tainted and demanded a special prosecutor akin to those appointed during Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal or the run-up to Bill Clinton’s impeachment.
The White House rejected the idea.
“We don’t think it’s necessary,” said White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Trump yesterday lashed out on Twitter against his critics over Comey’s sacking.
“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!” Trump said in a series of morning tweets.
He referred to Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as “cryin’ Schumer” late Tuesday.
Subpoenas
As the controversy continued, it emerged that the US Senate intelligence committee had subpoenaed former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn for documents related to the panel’s investigation into Russia’s alleged election meddling.
Senator Richard Burr, the Republican chairman, and Senator Mark Warner, the committee’s Democratic vice chairman, said the panel had first requested the documents from Flynn on 28 April. They say Flynn’s lawyer declined to cooperate with the request.
Flynn was fired by Trump after less than a month on the job. The White House said he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other top officials about his communications with Russia’s ambassador to the United States.
Flynn’s Russia ties are also being scrutinised by the FBI as it investigates whether Trump’s campaign was involved in Russia’s election interference.
With AP reporting
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I don’t blame them. I had problems getting and HB1ac last week due to the first strike. But I would not blame these guys. And don’t start the FF/FG nonsense. This is the HSE. And nothing BUT the HSE. Governments come and go. But the permanent government in the HSE is to blame for decades of bad management. No party can fix this alone. There needs to be a route and branch and heads need to roll. That will require cross party support and a stomach in the public. These fat cats won’t go quietly.
@Dave Connolly: and who appoints the top positions in HSE??
@Dave Connolly: Wrong Dave. The HSE can’t just decide who gets paid what. They are forced to negotiate with one hand behind their back as, although it doesn’t attend pay negotiations, the sanction of the Department of Finance is required before ANY public service pay deal can be signed off.
@Dave Connolly: finally someone talking sense !
Although it affected me today had a procedure done was to do bloods after so specialist gets results for appointment next weekt. But fully support them so back in again on friday for bloods .
Just do the right thing. The day is coming when you (the government) will need these people who work tirelessly for all of us.
Just pay them the money. The cost of all the strikes and faffing about will be more than the rise in the long run. It’s not like they haven’t been flagging this for 20yrs.
Completely agree. Their work is essential and having upgraded their qualifications it’s short-sighted not to offer them opportunities to improve their salary without changing jobs. They’re familiar with the health system and have put in the years. I can’t see any reason to stall any longer – it’s a reasonable request.
Well good for them. They deserve it and are one group who went above and beyond during the pandemic and never got a mention.
@Mary Conneely: Well said Mary fair play to ya!
Fight for your rights, otherwise you will be trampled upon.
The HSE is a dysfunctional organisation, riddled with Managers appointed through the Peter Principle and kept in their roles by clinging and enabling bullies. This strike should never have happened, preempted resolution was the obvious answer should it have been accepted but now the ordinary people suffer again through deferred appointments.
@Terry Larkin: But your bus driver does not control the spread of viruses, bacteria and fungi all over the world,not to mention antibiotic resistance which is another calamity heading your way!!
Wage disparity happens in all work places. But fairs fair. And they should be paid accordingly.
have your say