WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says that President Donald Trump had considered firing FBI Director James Comey "since the day he was elected president."
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday that the president had "lost confidence" in Comey and acted on the advice of the deputy attorney general and others when he decided to fire him on Tuesday.
Sanders said, "I think it's been an erosion of confidence" and that there were a lot of "missteps and mistakes" leading up to the decision to let Comey go.
The White House wants the FBI to complete its investigation into Russia interference in the 2016 election.
Sanders said Wednesday "we encourage them to complete investigation" so that it will be proven that "there is no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia."
Sanders said the White House does not think appointing a special prosecutor is necessary.
Sanders said President Trump is meeting with Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe later Wednesday.
Sanders said during the daily White House briefing that the president will be discussing morale at the FBI. She says that rank-and-file employees of the FBI had lost faith in Comey's leadership.
She says Trump is willing to make a personal appearance at FBI headquarters if he feels that's necessary and appropriate.
