Replacing Comey: Candidates Interviewing for Interim Director at the FBI

James Comey FBI director FBN

The FBI is wasting no time replacing former FBI Director James Comey; a host of candidates are at the Department of Justice interviewing for the position of "interim director" and the job could be filled as early as the end of the day Wednesday, sources say.

Senior DOJ officials told Fox News there are several people being considered, including Adam Lee, Special Agent in charge of the FBI's Richmond division, Michael Anderson, Special Agent in charge of the Chicago division, Paul Abbate, an FBI executive from the cyber division and William Evanina who works in counter terrorism for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Wednesday's interviews are being conducted by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, who will testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee in Comey’s place Thursday, is also in the running. Sources told Fox News he was at the DOJ Tuesday.

President Donald Trump showed confidence in the future leadership of the bureau Wednesday, sending out a tweet defending his decision to let Comey go.

To become FBI Director, the candidate will need to be both nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate. If the president chooses the same candidate as Sessions and Rosenstein, that person will have to leave the interim director post while the confirmation process takes place.