President Trump was angry that former FBI Director James Comey would not back his claims that former President Obama wiretapped him, according to a new report.
Comey’s lack of support partially led Trump to fire him, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.
The Post said that Trump was also angry Comey publicly revealed the breadth of counterintelligence into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential race.
{mosads}Trump also disliked Comey paying more attention to the FBI’s probe of Russian election interference than leaks from administration officials to journalists.
The Post said it confirmed its report of Trump’s growing animosity toward Comey with more than 30 officials, including from the White House, Justice Department, FBI and Capitol Hill, as well as Trump confidants and other senior Republicans.
The White House announced Tuesday that Trump had fired Comey on the recommendation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein, citing his handling of the probe into Hillary Clinton’s email server.
Trump’s decision stunned Washington, with many questioning the timing of the dismissal.
The president on Wednesday defended his decision, arguing that Comey “was not doing a good job.”
Reports emerged Wednesday that Comey requested more money and personnel for the FBI’s probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race.
Comey announced in March that the FBI’s investigation would include possible ties between Trump’s campaign and Russia.
Trump began claiming then — without presenting evidence — that Obama wiretapped Trump Tower in New York City during the 2016 race.
Comey told the House Intelligence Committee in March that the FBI had “no information” backing Trump’s allegations.