Joe Lieberman Withdraws From Consideration As FBI Director
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(JTA) — Former Sen. Joe Lieberman withdrew his name from consideration to replace James Comey as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In a Thursday letter to President Donald Trump, first obtained by Politico, Lieberman cited Trump’s selection of attorney Marc Kasowitz to represent him in various investigations.
“I do believe it would be best to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest,” wrote the former Connecticut lawmaker, “given my role as a senior counsel in the law firm of which Marc is the senior partner.”
Lieberman was the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2000, becoming the first Jewish candidate to place on a national party ticket. He campaigned for Trump’s opponent, Hillary Clinton, in 2016 after endorsing Republican presidential nominee John McCain in 2008. Lieberman switched to being an independent in 2006.
After retiring from the Senate in January 2013 after his fourth term, Lieberman joined the law firm of Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP.
Lieberman had been considered a leading contender for the FBI position until earlier in the week, when the White House signaled that it was expanding the pool of candidates.
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