McCain: Dems killed Lieberman’s FBI shot

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is accusing Democrats of torpedoing former Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (I-Conn.) chances at becoming FBI director.

“My Democratic colleagues clearly did [kill Lieberman’s chances],” McCain told reporters Wednesday, according to CNN.

“This is their nominee for vice president of the United States. If anything would make you cynical about this town, that’s it,” he said.

Lieberman is reportedly no longer the frontrunner to become the next FBI director after President Trump indicated last week that he was leaning toward the former Democratic-turned-Independent senator.

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An administration official told CNN this week that Trump wants to see a broader list of candidates.

Lieberman served as a Democrat for nearly two decades — including serving as Al Gore’s presidential running mate in 2000 — before becoming an Independent in 2006.

Democratic senators argued Lieberman lacked the same background in federal law enforcement previous FBI directors possessed.

Lieberman is also a partner at the same law firm as Marc Kasowitz, whom Trump is expected to retain to lead a team of private attorneys to represent him amid the federal probe into possible coordination between his campaign team and Russia. 

Still, the administration official told CNN that Lieberman’s ties to Kasowitz did not affect Trump’s decision.

Trump is under pressure from Congress to pick a new FBI director with strong bipartisan credentials after he abruptly fired James Comey as FBI chief earlier this month. Comey was leading the FBI’s Russia probe involving Trump’s campaign before he was fired. 

Several candidates have dropped out of consideration for the top FBI spot, including Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.).