FILE - In this July 20, 2016, file photo, FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe listens during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington. McCabe was elevated to acting FBI director after FBI director James Comey was fired by President Donald Trump on May 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Justice Department leaders are interviewing Wednesday four veteran law enforcement and intelligence officials for the role of interim FBI director, officials said.
The position is currently held by Andrew McCabe, top deputy to ex-FBI Director James Comey, who President Donald Trump fired on Tuesday evening.
Justice Department officials identified the contenders as Adam Lee and Michael Anderson, who run the FBI's field offices in Richmond, Virginia, and Chicago, respectively. Others are Paul Abbate, who oversees the FBI's criminal and cyber branch, and William Evanina, the government's chief counterintelligence officer and a former FBI supervisor.
McCabe met with Justice officials on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear how seriously he is being considered.
The interim chief would serve until Congress confirms a permanent director, which could take some time given bipartisan angst over Comey's firing. The Senate intelligence committee said it expects McCabe to appear at a hearing Thursday on current and projected national security threats.
The acting director would be able to serve in the position without Senate confirmation.
McCabe previously supervised the FBI's Washington field office, one of its largest, and also held leadership positions in counterterrorism and intelligence work.
McCabe's actions are among the decisions being scrutinized in an ongoing Justice Department inspector general probe of the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. That investigation is looking into whether McCabe should have recused himself from the Clinton case after his wife received large campaign contributions from a Clinton ally during her failed Senate run
The FBI has said that when his wife first considered running for the seat, McCabe consulted with FBI ethics officers for guidance to prevent against actual or potential conflict of interest.
FILE - In this May 19, 2016, file photo, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Chicago, Michael J. Anderson, listens at a news conference in Chicago. President Donald Trump is considering four high-ranking FBI officials, including Anderson, to serve as the bureau's interim director following the firing of James Comey on May 9, 2017. The Justice Department is overseeing the interview process for the interim director, which is separate from Trump's decision-making process on a permanent replacement. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2014, file photo, FBI special agent Adam Lee announces that Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. has been arrested in Galveston, Texas, during a news conference in Charlottesville, Va. President Donald Trump is considering four high-ranking FBI officials, including Lee, to serve as the bureau's interim director following the firing of James Comey on May 9, 2017. The Justice Department is overseeing the interview process for the interim director, which is separate from Trump's decision-making process on a permanent replacement. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this March 15, 2017, file photo, assistant FBI director Paul Abbate, speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington. President Donald Trump is considering four high-ranking FBI officials, including Abbate, to serve as the bureau's interim director following the firing of James Comey on May 9, 2017. The Justice Department is overseeing the interview process for the interim director, which is separate from Trump's decision-making process on a permanent replacement. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
The Associated Press
This image provided by the Director of National Intelligence, shows William Evanina, the government's chief counterintelligence officer. Justice Department leaders are interviewing Wednesday, May 10, 2017, four veteran law enforcement and intelligence officials, including Evanina, for the role of interim FBI director, officials said. The position is currently held by Andrew McCabe, top deputy to ex-FBI Director James Comey, who President Donald Trump fired on Tuesday evening. (Director of National Intelligence via AP)
The Associated Press