Cornyn, Gowdy among candidates to replace Comey at FBI

President Trump is looking at "nearly a dozen" candidates to take over for fired FBI Director James Comey, The Associated Press reported Friday, citing two White House officials. Trump's list boasts attorneys, lawmakers, and law enforcement officials, including Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), and former New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) has also been floated as the possible next FBI director since Trump abruptly dismissed Comey on Tuesday. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) noted that while Ayotte — who narrowly lost re-election to Democrat Maggie Hassan last fall — has "a complicated relationship with Trump, first backing him and then backing away from him during her re-election campaign last year," she was instrumental in helping Trump secure the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.

Trump may also select an FBI official to serve as interim director until he chooses Comey's official replacement. Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe on Thursday called the FBI's investigation of Trump's potential ties to Russia, which began under Comey, "highly significant."

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