Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe rejected the White House claim that rank-and-file members of the agency had lost faith in former FBI Director James Comey, testifying Thursday that Comey "enjoyed broad support" within the bureau.
President Trump fired Comey from his position on Tuesday, saying that the FBI's integrity was damaged from his mishandling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday that the "rank-and-file" of the FBI were among those who lost confidence in Comey.
"In your opinion, is it accurate that the rank-and-file no longer supported Director Comey?" Sen. Martin Heinrich (D., N.M.) asked McCabe.
"No, sir, that is not accurate," McCabe said.
McCabe described a close working relationship with Comey over his career at the agency.
"I can tell you that I hold Director Comey in the absolute highest regard," he said. "I have the highest respect for his considerable abilities and his integrity, and it has been the greatest privilege and honor of my professional life to work with him. I can tell you also that Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI, and still does to this day."
"We have a diversity of opinions about many things, but I can confidently tell you that the vast majority of FBI employees enjoyed a deep and positive connection to Director Comey," he added.