According to NBC News, FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCAbe is stepping down as of today:
BREAKING: Andrew McCabe has stepped down effective today as FBI deputy director, multiple sources familiar with the matter tell @ NBC News pic.twitter.com/kLrhDjzq7B
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 29, 2018
Well that’s certainly an interesting development. Perhaps it’s getting a little too hot for him in the kitchen?
Of course this is just days after reports surfaced that Trump pressured Director Wray to fire McCabe.
So it sounds like Trump is finally getting his wish.
UPDATE:
Could McCabe’s early resignation be over the FISA memo that might be released this evening?
.@JuliaEAinsley: Timing of McCabe's departure is curious, because this is the day that the House and Senate are voting to release information about FISA requests.
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) January 29, 2018
UPDATE 2:
Just to bolster the last update, this is being reported now:
Sources told Fox News’ Catherine Herridge that FBI Director Christopher Wray went to the Capitol on Sunday to view the four-page memo.
According to one source, Wray was asked to point out inaccuracies or other issues with the wording — and said he would need “his people to take a look at it.” The source said the review is ongoing.
So the question is did Wray share any information with McCabe and/or suggest he go ahead and take his leave?
UPDATE 3:
Sources tell CNN that McCabe’s announcement came as a surprise…
From Evan Perez's reporting: The announcement came as a surprise but the fact that McCabe had been under pressure by the president and other Republicans loomed over the decision. McCabe was eligible with accumulated leave to retire with full benefits
— Steve Brusk (@stevebruskCNN) January 29, 2018
News: Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe’s departure came as a surprise, even to some expecting his March retirement. One source told @CNN that today’s departure was not in the plans as of Friday.
— David Wright (@DavidWright_CNN) January 29, 2018
Well I would imagine it did, considering he was expected to retire in March. I guess I’m wondering if Wray himself was surprised by it, or was he in on the decision…
UPDATE 4:
Somehow I missed this from Fox News, but they are reporting that McCabe was ‘removed’:
A source familiar tells Fox News it would be accurate to say McCabe was, “Removed.” Further, I’m told this is most likely the earliest date possible for the FBI to remove him and still leave him fully eligible for his pension. #FoxNews
— Jake Gibson (@JakeBGibson) January 29, 2018
And…
Top FBI official Andrew McCabe has been “removed” from his post as deputy director, Fox News is told, leaving the bureau after months of conflict-of-interest complaints from Republicans including President Trump.
A source confirmed to Fox News that McCabe is taking “terminal leave” – effectively taking vacation until he reaches his planned retirement in a matter of weeks. As such, he will not be reporting to work at the FBI anymore.
(h/t: Hotair)