Ousted FBI Director James Comey reportedly told associates in March that US President Donald Trump was “outside the realm of normal,” even “crazy."
Comey made these remarks in March after Trump suggested former President Barack Obama had spied on him, according to a report published by The New York Times on Wednesday.
Trump was furious when Comey publicly dismissed on March 20 his claims that he was wiretapped by Obama during the 2016 campaign before the House Intelligence Committee.
Comey told the committee that his agency had “no information” to back Trump’s allegations.
He even requested the Trump administration to withdraw the claim that Obama had ordered an illegal surveillance of Trump Tower before the 2016 presidential election.
On Tuesday, Trump fired Comey, who had been leading a politically-charged investigation into alleged ties between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia, telling him it was time for a "new beginning" at America’s "crown jewel of law enforcement."
"Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike," Trump tweeted on Wednesday. “Comey will be replaced by someone who will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI."
Comey has been criticized by lawmakers in both Republican and Democratic Parties for his handling of investigations connected to the 2016 presidential election -- the Russia investigation as well as the inquiry into Clinton's email practices while she was secretary of state between 2009 and 2013.