FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe stepped down from his post at the FBI on Monday because of pressure from the head of the bureau. McCabe had announced his retirement months ago and was expected to stay on until March. His departure today was sudden.
According to reports, FBI Director Christopher Wray found something in an upcoming inspector general’s report that sufficiently concerned him enough to reassign McCabe to another role. The move would have effectively been a demotion. McCabe chose instead to leave. Wray did not comment on specifics in a message to FBI employees Monday afternoon.
The upcoming inspector general’s report examines the bureau’s actions during the 2016 presidential election while investigating both the Hillary Clinton email and Trump-Russia scandals. Wray said that he and McCabe spoke, and that McCabe decided to step down immediately. The designation “stepping down” allows McCabe to remain employed by the FBI until his pension benefits fully vest in March. Director Wray said he thanked McCabe for his service.