American President Donald Trump has dismissed the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Comey. In a statement, Trump said Comey's removal "will mark a new beginning" for the FBI. Administration officials say the search for a new FBI director will begin immediately. Comey's dismissal comes days after he appeared before a U.S. Senate committee. He answered questions about the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election. The investigation centered on possible connections between Russia and Trump's campaign. In his letter to dismiss Comey, Trump wrote “I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation.”