thank you. thank you, everybody. >> what is your response to those who ask whether or not this was an effort to stop the investigation? >> yesterday president donald trump provided strong and decisive leadership to restore the trust and confidence of the american people and the federal bureau of investigation. i'm grateful for the action the president has taken and i'm confident that the president will choose an individual who will be able to restore the confidence of our nation and our leading law-enforcement agency. president trump made the right decision at the right time. to accept the recommendation of

the deputy attorney general and the attorney general to ask for the termination, to support the termination of the director of the fbi was simply the right decision. we go forward with confidence that the president, as he has done so many times in this administration, he will select that individual who will be able to lead that agency and the outstanding men and women of the fbi back to a place where that agency can enjoy the confidence of the american people. >> [indiscernible] >> as you know very clearly, as has been stated repeatedly in the president has been told, he is not under investigation. as former director clapper said there is no evidence of collusion between our campaign

and any russian officials. let me be clear with you. that was not what this is about. that is not what this is about. the president took strong and decisive leadership here to put the safety and security of the american people first by accepting the recommendation of the deputy attorney general to remove director comey as head of the fbi. the american people have to have confidence in the federal bureau of investigation. because of the action the deputy attorney general outlined to the president that were endorsed and agreed with by the attorney general, the president made the right decision at the right time. now we look forward to finding that individual who will be able to lead that agency and the outstanding men and women of the fbi back to a place where we

move past the difficult politics of the last year that have swirled around director comey's leadership, and we can move back to a place where every american can no the fbi is able to do its job to enforce our laws and protect our nation. >> what about the dissatisfaction with the russia probe? did this play into that? >> let me be very clear. the president's decision to accept the recommendation of the deputy attorney general and the attorney general to remove director comey as the head of the fbi was based solely and exclusively on his commitment to the best interest of the american people and to ensuring the fbi has the trust and confidence of the people of this nation. the president's leadership year -- leadership here represents the kind of strong leadership the american people expect. the american people expect the president to act on

recommendations of those within the administration charged with oversight. in this case the deputy attorney general provides the oversight to the federal bureau of investigation. while the deputy attorney general was confirmed a few weeks ago by the united states senate, when he brought the recommendation to the president of the director of the fbi should be removed president trump provided strong and decidedly leadership the american people have come to be accustomed from him and took the action necessary to remove director comey. now the president is in the process of evaluating individuals who will be able to fill that spot and leave the fbi -- and lead the fbi and restore confidence of the american people. this was the right decision at the right time. >> considering the bipartisan concern, why not support an independent panel?

>> the evidence, the facts that are in public today are very clear, the former director of national intelligence has said there is no evidence of collusion. the president and i remain confident the committees in the house and senate looking into every aspect of issues that arise out of the election will be able to do their work in an orderly way. the president was informed several times by the former director of the fbi he was not under investigation. the simple fact is director comey had lost the confidence of the american people. the support i heard from them is of the senate today when i was over by the senate chamber, support for the decision being expressed in this capitol building and around the country is reflective of the fact that it was time for a fresh start at the fbi. the president did as he is done

in so many cases, he provided strong leadership. to act on the recommendation of the deputy attorney general. the american people welcome that , and they know that as president trump is done so many times before, the president is going to take the time necessary to find an individual of great experience and integrity to lead the nation's law enforcement agency and i look forward to being a part of that process. >> that the president ask -- did the president ask the attorney general to conduct a review director comey? >> the new deputy attorney general who was just worn in two weeks ago and confirmed by the fbi came to work. he's a man of extraordinary independence and integrity and a reputation in both political parties of great character.

sat down and made the recommendation for the fbi to be able to do its job it would need new leadership. he brought that recommendation to the president. the attorney general concurred with that recommendation. i am personally grateful that we have a president willing to provide the decisive and strong leadership to take the recommendation of the deputy attorney general to remove and fbi director who lost the confidence of the american people. that being said, let me be very clear. we have some great men and women who serve in the federal bureau of investigation every day, who make enormous sacrifices for the people of this country. i'm confident that the president will go through a process and will choose an individual who will be able to leave the fbi -- be able to lead the fbi not only back to credibility, to restore the trust and confidence in american people that lead the fbi to greater heights to ensure

that it does its job enforcing our laws and protecting our country. >> the white house considering replacements for james comey. this headline am usa today, james comey's replacement could come from these six people. white house officials would not discuss the dental candidates to replace james comey permanently but media reports seem to focus on six candidates. chris christie, david clark, kelly.wdy, ray also on the list, and your who isand john pistole the president of anderson university in indiana.

deputy white house press secretary sarah huckabee sanders to questions on the james comey firing. she said the president had lost confidence in comey's ability to lead the agency. [indiscernible] >> polite crowd. >> [inaudible] >> so i've heard.