FBI deputy director 'steps down' after clashes with Donald Trump

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, pictured in June 7, 2017, will retire in March. His departure has been expected for a while. Photo / AP

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe — a frequent target of US President Donald Trump's ire dating back to the 2016 presidential election — is stepping down from that job as he nears the date in March when he can retire with full pension benefits, according to people familiar with the matter.

McCabe's departure has been expected for some time, though the exact date was uncertain. The Washington Post reported in December that he planned to retire in March . At that time, people close to McCabe said he would probably use accrued holiday time to get him to the retirement date.

A person close to the matter confirmed that McCabe will still formally retire in March, but is leaving the deputy director position now, and plans to use leave time to fill out his remaining time at the FBI.

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is, and has been, a dedicated public servant who has served this country well. Bogus attacks on the FBI and DOJ to distract attention from a legitimate criminal inquiry does long term, unnecessary damage to these foundations of our government.

— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) January 29, 2018

So they will keep him on till then despite all this to make sure the American tax payer is stuck paying him for the rest of his life? https://t.co/5MVh9xAUxR

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 29, 2018

McCabe has become a lightning rod in the political battles surrounding special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's probe into whether any Trump associates coordinated with Russian agents to interfere in the 2016 presidential race.

Last week, The Post reported that after James B. Comey was fired in May 2017 and McCabe assumed the director's job on an acting basis, the president asked him in a private discussion whom he had voted for in the presidential election. McCabe responded that he had not voted, according to several current and former US officials.