The shock dismissal of FBI Director James Comey by the US President Donald Trump has sent shockwaves across the world. The ouster comes at a time when Comey was leading an investigation into a possible collusion between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia to influence the poll outcome.
Expectedly, the move has triggered off a political storm, with Democrats demanding the Russia probe be handed over to an independent prosecutor or commission.
In a letter from Trump to Comey, which was released by the White House, said: "It is essential that we find new leadership for the FBI that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission.
“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,” the letter further said.
The 56-year-old had served only three and a half years of his 10-year term as FBI director. So, what led to his sudden ouster? While it's anybody's guess, some might say, let's take a look at the highlights of Comey's tenure as FBI director:
September 4, 2013
Comey was sworn in as the seventh director of the FBI. President Barack Obama nominated him for the post and the Senate had seconded the decision.
August 2015
The FBI confirmed it was investigating Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server during her time as secretary of State.
July 2, 2016
Clinton was questioned by the FBI for more than three hours.
July 5, 2016
At a press conference, Comey slammed Clinton for being “extremely careless” with the email server added in the same breath that Clinton would not be prosecuted.
July 6, 2016
Attorney general Loretta Lynch accepted the FBI's recommendation not to charge Clinton.
July 7, 2016
Comey defended his decision not to recommend Clinton’s prosecution, at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
October 28, 2016
In a letter to Congress, Comey announced that the FBI has discovered new emails on the laptop of former Congressman Anthony Weiner, who is married to Huma Abedin, Clinton's aide, and that messages may be related to the Clinton probe.
November 6, 2016
Two days before the election, Comey told Congress that the newly discovered emails did not warrant a reversal of the FBI's earlier decision not to prosecute Clinton.
January 22, 2017
Two days after taking office, Trump offered Comey a handshake and a pat on the back, and said “he's become more famous than me”.
March 20, 2017
Comey confirmed publicly that the FBI is probing possible links between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia.
May 2 2017
Clinton blamed the Russian interference and Comey for her defeat in the presidential election. Trump tweeted his response, saying “FBI Director Comey was the best thing that ever happened to Hillary Clinton in that he gave her a free pass for many bad deeds! The phony Trump/Russia story was an excuse used by the Democrats as justification for losing the election. Perhaps Trump just ran a great campaign?”
May 3 2017
At the Senate Judiciary Committee, Comey defended his decision to make public the discovery of emails from Weiner's laptop. He, reportedly, said that Abedin had sent “hundreds and thousands” of emails to her husband’s laptop, including some with classified information.
May 9, 2017
Comey sent Congress a letter correcting his prior sworn testimony regarding emails discovered in Weiner's laptop. A few hours later, Trump fired Comey.
