US: FBI's deputy chief to step down

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is stepping down from his position at the bureau, sources confirmed Monday to Anadolu Agency.

McCabe is eligible to retire in March but is using accumulated leave to effectively depart his post early, FBI sources said.

His decision comes amid tensions between the bureau and President Donald Trump's White House, an ongoing special counsel investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and the Trump campaign's possible collusion with the effort officials describe as seeking to undercut Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Trump has since accused McCabe of political bias and questioned his ties to Clinton in an unusual public airing of disputes between a president and a senior bureau official.

Shortly after Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey last year, he asked McCabe whom he voted for in the 2016 election, the Washington Post reported.

The FBI is intended to be independent from politics and presidential administrations.

"FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is racing the clock to retire with full benefits. 90 days to go?!!!" Trump tweeted in December.