Four candidates interviewing for FBI director job Saturday

Acting FBI Director James McCabe and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) are among at least four candidates interviewing Saturday to serve as the FBI’s permanent director, a source told The Hill.

Alice Fisher, a former assistant attorney general, and Judge Michael J. Garcia of the New York Court of Appeals are also among those interviewing to replace former FBI Director James Comey, the source said.

All four candidates will be interviewed by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy Rod Rosenstein, according to multiple reports.

McCabe’s interview comes days after he directly contradicted a pair of White House claims involving Comey earlier this week.

{mosads}

The acting FBI director testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee that Comey “enjoyed broad support within the FBI” throughout his tenure, pushing back on a claim from a White House spokeswoman that “rank-and-file” agents had lost confidence in Comey.

McCabe also called the FBI’s probe into Russia’s interference in the U.S. election “highly significant,” contradicting the White House aide’s assessment that the probe was one of “the smallest things” on the bureau’s plate.

President Trump reportedly has a shortlist of nearly a dozen candidates to replace Comey, who he fired Tuesday. The reported candidates include several attorneys, lawmakers and law enforcement officials.

Former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and former New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly are among reported potential picks.

Cornyn, the Senate’s No. 2 Republican, said in a statement Friday that the upper chamber is his top priority.

“I have the distinct privilege of serving 28 million Texans in the United States Senate, and that is where my focus remains,” he said.

FBI directors are appointed for 10-year terms, though they can be removed by the president. They must be confirmed by the Senate.