House Oversight Committee chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R., Utah.) has asked the Justice Department to investigate the circumstances of President Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey.
"Previously I asked Inspector General Horowitz to review the FBI's actions in advance of the 2016 election," Chaffetz said in a statement Wednesday reported by the Hill. "Today I sent a letter urging IG Horowitz to expand the scope of his review to include the decision to fire Director Comey. I look forward to receiving the IG's findings."
According to the Hill, the inspector general is also probing the Justice Department's and the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation before the 2016 election.
Trump said he dismissed Comey this week on the recommendation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein, who cited Comey's mishandling of the Clinton probe. They said fresh leadership was needed at the agency to restore public trust.
However, the Washington Post reports Trump grew increasingly frustrated with Comey over not taking action on federal leaks and giving too much attention to the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
Officials also say Comey sought more money for the FBI's investigation into alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, days before Trump fired him.
The White House said Wednesday that Trump considered firing Comey ever since being elected, and Trump himself said simply that Comey "was not doing a good job."