Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe Steps Down

NBC News reports:

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe stepped down Monday, multiple sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. McCabe will remain on the FBI payroll until he is eligible to retire with full benefits in mid-March, the sources said. One source familiar said McCabe was exercising his retirement eligibility and characterized his decision as “stepping aside.”

McCabe has been at the center of ongoing tensions between the White House and the FBI and has reportedly been under pressure to quit from President Donald Trump, whose campaign is being investigated for possible collusion with Russia.

Earlier this month, the Washington Post reported that after Trump had fired FBI Director James Comey, he met with McCabe in the Oval Office and asked him whom he voted for in the 2016 election.

A long career servant, McCabe had served at the FBI since 1996 under former directors Robert Mueller and Comey. Trump was asked on Monday whether he knew McCabe was stepping aside and the president did not answer.

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is, and has been, a dedicated public servant who has served this country well. Bogus attacks on the FBI and DOJ to distract attention from a legitimate criminal inquiry does long term, unnecessary damage to these foundations of our government.

— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) January 29, 2018