US President Donald Trump has defended his firing of FBI director James Comey as Democrats intensified accusations that the ousting was intended to undermine an agency probe into his presidential campaign’s possible collusion with Russia to sway the 2016 election.
Key points:
- Vice President Mike Pence backs Donald Trump’s move to sack James Comey
- Growing number of Republicans express concern over Mr Comey’s dismissal
- Comey had reportedly asked for more money for the Russian probe
- Mr Trump meets Russian FM Sergei Lavrov at White House
The Republican President’s abrupt move on Tuesday stunned Washington and was swiftly condemned by Democrats and by some in his own party.
Senior Democrats pressed for an independent investigation into the Russia issue.
As he met with former secretary of state Henry Kissinger at the White House, Mr Trump was asked by reporters why he fired Mr Comey, responding: “He wasn’t doing a good job, very simply.”
In a flurry of Twitter posts earlier, Mr Trump offered a further explanation and lambasted his critics.
“Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike. When things calm down, they will be thanking me,” he said.
“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!”
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