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President Donald Trump has officially fired FBI Director James Comey.

On Tuesday (May 9), Attorney General Jeff Sessions suggested the third-year director’s firing and claimed the bureau had suffered “substantial damage” under his command.

The move comes as a bit of a surprise as, just a month ago, Trump claimed that Comey was doing a satisfactory job at the helm. Apparently, the move also shocked others at the FBI, who said the move was completely unexpected.

"Nobody saw this coming or had any warning this was coming down the chain today," an officer told BuzzFeed News. "We have no idea what is going on. It's chaotic here right now."

The letter Comey received, which was leaked to the public, stated that he was “not able to effectively lead the bureau,” even though Trump thanked him for keeping him updated over whether or not he was under investigation.

“While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau,” Mr. Trump said in a letter.

The whole thing is rather strange considering that it was Comey who likely helped Trump win the presidency after he publicly spoke of the supposed Hillary Clinton email scandal last July. This was followed up by a strange re-opening, then closing of the investigation during the presidential campaign’s final days.

If Trump had an issue with how that investigation was handled, why did he say that Comey was doing a fine job a month ago, then fire him over something from prior to the beginning of his presidency?

“It is essential that we find new leadership for the F.B.I. that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission,” The Donald continued in the letter.

Many on the internet believe the firing is a smokescreen over the FBI’s investigation into Trump’s alleged ties to Russia and the country’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Typically, the deputy director of the bureau would take over, however, in Trump’s America, that’s far from certain. Republicans are overall defending the move, while congressional Democrats have raised concerns.

“Any attempt to stop or undermine this F.B.I. investigation would raise grave constitutional issues,” said Illinois Senator Richard J. Durbin. “We await clarification by the White House as soon as possible as to whether this investigation will continue and whether it will have a credible lead so that we know that it’ll have a just outcome.”

See some of the reaction to James Comey’s firing as well as the official letter below.

Here's the letter President Trump sent to FBI Director James Comey regarding his dismissal https://t.co/EMgwUlg0j4 pic.twitter.com/yCdDgugcX7

— CNN (@CNN) May 9, 2017

Remember AG Sessions, who recused himself from Russia investigation, has fired the leader of that investigation, Director Comey

— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) May 9, 2017

I'm very concerned that @realdonaldtrump just fired FBI Director Comey. As a prosecutor, I believe law enforcement should be above politics

— Andrew Janz (@JanzforCongress) May 9, 2017

Really? Firing Jim Comey smack in the middle of a major Russia investigation is very suspect. We need independent prosecutor & commission

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) May 9, 2017

Any Republicans who defend Trump on Comey are complicit and will share the wrath of voters and of history.

— Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) May 9, 2017

Today in Both Things Are True:

1. Comey should have been fired a long time ago.
2. Trump choosing to fire him now looks really bad.

— Radley Balko (@radleybalko) May 9, 2017

@20committee Comey can still testify on Thursday, and he should.

— Sarah Smith (@SarahLSmith677) May 9, 2017