A Day After his Removal, Comey Pens Farewell Letter to FBI Staff

In his letter, the former FBI Director calls his tenure one of the ‘great joys’ of his life.

Former FBI director James Comey (Photo: AP)

A day after he was unceremoniously removed from his post by President Donald Trump, former FBI Director James Comey penned a farewell letter to select FBI staff, friends and agents.

The letter was first obtained by CNN.

Comey said he does not plan to dwell on the decision to fire him or the "way it was executed".

Also Read: The Firing Line- Ouster of FBI’s Comey Tests New Justice Appointee

"It is done, and I will be fine, although I will miss you and the mission deeply," Comey said in his farewell email.

Comey was in the third year of his 10-year term when he was dismissed by Trump in a surprise move. The White House yesterday said Comey had lost the confidence of Trump, who was looking to fire him from day one.

“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. I hope you won't either,” Comey wrote.

Also Read: Firing Comey Thrusts Trump’s Presidency Into Perilous Area

Comey also said:

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.

The former FBI directorsaid it is very hard to leave a group of people who are "committed only to doing the right thing".

Also Read: Search For New FBI Director Begins As Trump Abruptly Fires Comey

With inputs from PTI