Politics & Government

Yonkers Native Confirmed by Senate to Lead the FBI

Senate voted 93 to 1 to confirm Yonkers native James Comey, Jr. as Director of FBI.

Yonkers native James Comey, Jr. was confirmed by the US Senate on Monday to lead the FBI.  

Comey, who served as deputy attorney general from December 2003 through August 2005 under President George W. Bush, will succeed Robert Mueller, who will leave the job of director in September after 12 years, according to the FBI's website.

Earlier this week the FBI executed "Operation Cross Country," a three-day nationwide sweep of 76 cities focusing on underage victims of prostitution. The operation led to the  arrest of 150 pimps and the rescue of105 exploited children.

In 2003, Comey became deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice (DOJ). As second in command, he ran the day-to-day operations of the department. In 2005, he left DOJ to become general counsel and senior vice president at Lockheed Martin. Five years later, he joined Bridgewater Associates, a Connecticut-based investment fund, as its general counsel, according to the FBI's website.

"Jim is a natural leader of unquestioned integrity," said President Obama in a statement posted the White House website on Monday.  "In the face of ever-changing threats, he has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to defending America’s security and ideals alike."


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