Reports: Trump Sidelined Bannon From Decision To Fire Comey As FBI Head
By ESME CRIBB Published MAY 14, 2017 1:34 PM
Chief White House strategist Steve Bannon was sidelined from President Donald Trumps decision last week to fire James Comey as head of the FBI, according to several reports.
The Associated Press reported on Saturday, citing three unnamed White House officials, that much like Comey himself Bannon learned of the former FBI directors firing from television reports, though a fourth unnamed source close to Bannon disputed that account.
The Washington Post also reported on Saturday that Bannon was intentionally excluded from Trumps decision-making process, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the matter. A third unnamed source told the Post that Bannon advised Trump to delay Comeys termination to avoid backlash.
That account of events was supported by a New York Times report published on Wednesday in the immediate wake of Comeys termination. In that report, the Times cited two unnamed sources familiar with Bannons thinking who said he urged Trump to delay Comeys firing.
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