Posted on 01/29/2018 10:04:14 AM PST by Signalman
FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who was expected to retire in the coming months, is stepping down, according to multiple reports.
A career civil servant who was appointed deputy director in 2016, McCabe has been a frequent target of Republicans alleging systemic bias against President Trump at the top tiers of the bureau.
McCabe oversaw the controversial investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. The GOP has accused him of a conflict of interest in that case because his wife accepted nearly $500,000 in political donations from Clinton ally Terry McAuliffe in a state legislature bid that predated the investigation.
The Washington Post first reported McCabe's intention to retire when he became eligible for pension benefits, in early March. Trump, who has been among McCabe's fiercest critics, characterized the move as "racing the clock to retire with full benefits."
A spokesperson for the FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump as early as July had called for McCabe's ouster, demanding, "Why didn't A.G. Sessions replace Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, a Comey friend who was in charge of Clinton investigation?"
"How can FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the man in charge, along with leakin’ James Comey, of the Phony Hillary Clinton investigation (including her 33,000 illegally deleted emails) be given $700,000 for wife’s campaign by Clinton Puppets during investigation?" he tweeted in December.
As a civil servant, McCabe cannot be fired without clear evidence of wrongdoing.
According to documents release by the bureau in November, although McCabe recused himself from state corruption cases in Virginia as a result of his wife's candidacy, he was not warned by bureau officials to step back from the Clinton investigation.
Then the assistant director in charge of the Washington field office, McCabe "provided personnel resources" to the email investigation but "was not told what the investigation was about" until he was appointed deputy director—months after the Virginia election had concluded.
McCabe briefly ran the bureau after Trump fired former director James Comey, prior to the appointment of current director Chris Wray.
He has weathered one of the most controversial periods in the FBI's history, as Republicans have continued to argue that it inappropriately tried to tip the scale in Clinton's favor in the 2016 election.
He skyrocketed back into the public view after a series of texts from a former member of special counsel Robert Mueller’s team added fuel to Republican claims of bias at the bureau.
The agent, Peter Strzok, disparaged political figures of both parties in the texts, including Trump, whom he called an “idiot.” The agent was removed from Mueller's team earlier this year.
Republicans are also seeking to make public a controversial memo authored by committee chair Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) alleging surveillance abuses at the Department of Justice. McCabe is reported to be mentioned by name in the document.
“Andrew McCabe cuts across every facet of every investigation in 2016 that your viewers are interested in from Secretary Clinton’s emails to the investigation into the Trump campaign,” Gowdy told Fox News in December.
“As a civil servant, McCabe cannot be fired without clear evidence of wrongdoing.”
This is only true as to his status as an FBI agent. He could be fired as Deputy Director for any reason or no reason at all. He would still remain a rank and. File agent. Very poorly written and researched article.
Let me see your Thread Police badge
Looking forward to McCabe stepping down again... from that opening trap door on the gallows.
I doubt it. Last month Trump made a tweet that said McCabe is trying to race down the clock to get his pension?
The Nunes’ memo that Wray read yesterday.
Gabby Giffords (after being disabled by Jared Loughner) did the same thing. Democrats have no conscience nor character.
Gotta link or the text?
The FISA memo that’s been all over the news, written by Devin Nunes that explains how the 0bama Administration got the FISA warrant to do surveillance on Trump Tower during the election
It's the Nunes FISA Memo that the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is going to vote on releasing at 5:00 p today.
Keep an eye on him and the wifey in case they try to leave the US for a country without extradition treaty
I hope it was three 6-5 220lb marshals one with a hand on his shoulder
Who is next?
...and is apparently not available to the public yet?
Hopefully it soon will be.
I hope he was escorted out...in handcuffs.
On Jan 26, Q said “Continue to track those who are resigning across all platforms.”
MORE winning!!!
This may be more fake news. There are reports he was escorted from the building.
‘Stepping down’ means you had a choice.
I think he was fired. You can’t do that unless clear evidence of wrongdoing is provided.
I think we can expect more of this. NBC is not a credible source, and never has been. I’ll wait for another source. Atkisson would be preferred.
Not sure if true or if relevant to McCabe being shown the door but I’ve read Andy’s name was mentioned a lot in the text exchanges between Peter Strzok and FBI lawyer Lisa Page. Should be interesting.
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