Trump blasts Comey as a showboat, standing by his claim the FBI was in turmoil before his sacking.

US President Donald Trump has contradicted his earlier rationale for firing James Comey, saying he would have sacked the FBI chief regardless of what the Justice Department recommended.

Key points:

• Donald Trump says he was going to fire James Comey regardless of recommendation
• Acting FBI director Andrew McCabe testifies before Senate committee
• Mr McCabe says Mr Comey enjoyed broad support at the FBI

In his letter firing Mr Comey earlier this week, Mr Trump wrote: “While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau.”

But in his first interview since the firing, Mr Trump told NBC News Mr Comey was a “showboat” and a “grandstander” who presided over an FBI “in turmoil”.

“I was going to fire Comey. My decision. I was going to fire regardless of recommendation,” Mr Trump said.

In testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, acting FBI director Andrew McCabe contradicted Mr Trump’s assessment of turmoil at the FBI under Mr Comey.

“I can tell you also that director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI and still does to this day,” Mr McCabe said.

In testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, acting FBI director Andrew McCabe contradicted Mr Trump’s assessment of turmoil at the FBI under Mr Comey.

“I can tell you also that director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI and still does to this day,” Mr McCabe said.

“I can tell you that I hold director Comey in the absolute highest regard. I have the highest respect for his considerable abilities and his integrity.

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“And it has been the greatest privilege and honour of my professional life to work with him.”

Mr McCabe testified in place of Mr Comey, who Mr Trump abruptly dismissed as FBI director on Tuesday in an action that has roiled Washington.

He promised to tell the panel of any White House meddling into the agency’s probe of possible Russian interference in the 2016 election.

But Mr McCabe declined to say whether he ever heard Mr Comey tell Mr Trump that the President was not a target of the investigation.

He said he could not comment on an ongoing investigation.

Source: Donald Trump says he would have fired James Comey ‘regardless’; acting FBI chief contradicts President – Donald Trump’s America – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)