Getty

President Donald Trump took to Twitter early Wednesday morning to justify his firing of the now-former FBI Director James Comey, saying that his replacement will “do a far better job.”

Trump also took some of his critics to task for his decision, writing, “The Democrats have said some of the worst things about James Comey, including the fact that he should be fired, but now they play so sad!”

He also wrote: “Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike” and took a swipe at the top Democrat in the U.S. Senate, whom he dubbed “Cryin’ Chuck Schumer.”

The Democrats have said some of the worst things about James Comey, including the fact that he should be fired, but now they play so sad!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2017

James Comey will be replaced by someone who will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2017

Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike. When things calm down, they will be thanking me!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2017

Also Read: Anderson Cooper's Epic Eye Roll at Kellyanne Conway Is 'Everything'

Trump shocked the Washington establishment on Tuesday by removing Comey from his post over the FBI director’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.

“Today, President Donald J. Trump informed FBI Director James Comey that he has been terminated and removed from office,” White House press secretary Sean Spicer wrote in a statement.

The statement went on to say that a search for a new FBI director will begin “immediately.”

Trump’s decision was based on the recommendation of both Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, according to Spicer. The sudden firing dominated the news cycle and sent politics pundits into a tizzy.

Trump also mocked Chuck Schumer over his reaction to the Comey firing, calling him “Cryin’ Chuck Schumer” with a “drain the swamp” hashtag.

Cryin' Chuck Schumer stated recently, "I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer." Then acts so indignant. #draintheswamp

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2017

Comey had been investigating Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election and any potential collusion of Russians with members of the Trump campaign.

The move came as a surprise to members of the bureau. Officials at the F.B.I. told the New York Times they were not immediately aware of Comey’s dismissal.

It should be an interesting White House press briefing on Wednesday afternoon.

James Comey Timeline: Events That Led to FBI Director's Firing (Photos)

For the first time since 1993, a U.S. president has fired a director of the FBI. Comey's final year as head of the Bureau before his dismissal Tuesday was wrought with controversy, as Democrats and Republicans alike criticized him for his handling of the FBI's investigations into Hillary Clinton's emails and possible connections between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia. Here's how we got to this point:
Getty Images
July 2013:
Disgraced former NY Congressman Anthony Weiner sees his campaign for New York mayor derailed when screenshots of explicit conversations between him and several women are leaked. His wife, Huma Abedin, who was deputy chief of staff to Hillary Clinton while she was Secretary of State, stands by him.
Getty Images
September 2013:
President Barack Obama appoints James Comey as FBI Director. Comey served as U.S. Deputy Attorney General from 2003-2005 and had worked in the intervening years at Lockheed Martin and HSBC, among other private sector jobs.
April 2015:
Hillary Clinton announces her campaign for the president just weeks after The New York Times reported that she used a personal email server as Secretary of State. Abedin is named vice-chairwoman of her campaign.
July 2016:
After investigating Clinton's emails, Comey announces that the FBI does not recommend charging Clinton in connection to the personal server. Two days later, Comey is questioned by a Republican-led House Committee about his recommendation.
August 2016:
Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin announce their separation after reports surface that Weiner had sent explicit text messages to another woman.
September 2016:
Reports surface that Weiner had sent illicit text messages to a 15-year-old girl in North Carolina, prompting a federal investigation. During the investigation, authorities seize a laptop belonging to Weiner and Abedin.
Oct. 28, 2016:
Comey sends a letter to Congress informing members that Abedin's laptop may contain emails linked to the Clinton investigation. Clinton calls on the FBI to release all the information they have.
Nov. 6, 2016:
Comey writes another letter saying that nothing new was found on Abedin's laptop, with Newsweek reporting that most of the emails found were ones forwarded by Abedin so she could print them. Two days after Comey sends the second letter, Hillary Clinton loses the presidential election to Donald Trump.
March 2017:
Comey reveals during a House Intelligence Committee hearing that the FBI is performing an investigation into possible connections between the Kremlin and members of Trump's campaign.
May 3, 2017:
Comey testifies in Congress again, this time before a Senate Committee about the details of the FBI's investigation into Clinton's email server. He says that Abedin had forwarded "forwarded hundreds and thousands of emails, some of which contain classified information" to Weiner to print out of convenience.
May 9, 2017:
ProPublica and the Associated Press report that Comey had exaggerated the number of emails found in the laptop and that none of the emails were classified when sent. Later that day, Comey is fired from his position by Donald Trump.

1 of 12

Comey’s four-year tenure as FBI director ends 10 months after recommending Hillary Clinton not be charged for his email investigation

For the first time since 1993, a U.S. president has fired a director of the FBI. Comey's final year as head of the Bureau before his dismissal Tuesday was wrought with controversy, as Democrats and Republicans alike criticized him for his handling of the FBI's investigations into Hillary Clinton's emails and possible connections between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia. Here's how we got to this point:

View In Gallery

Trump Blasts James Comey, ‘Cryin’ Chuck Schumer’ in Morning Twitter Session

James Comey Timeline: Events That Led to FBI Director's Firing (Photos)

Josh Charles to Play Gretchen Carlson’s Husband on Showtime’s Roger Ailes Limited Series

Emily Blunt in Talks to Star in Memoir Adaptation ‘Not Fade Away’ at Annapurna

Amazon Finds Its Man in Black, Gunslinger for ‘Dark Tower’ Adaptation

MGM Names Stephen Bruno as Chief Marketing Officer

Disney Studio Chairman Alan Horn Tells Fox Staff to Prepare for ‘Quite a Bit of Change’

James Comey Timeline: Events That Led to FBI Director's Firing (Photos)

Related Content