Senator John Cornyn Withdraws Name From FBI Consideration

Senator John Cornyn of Texas has officially withdrawn his name from consideration to be the next Director of the FBI. Cornyn interviewed over the weekend for the nomination, but withdrew his name Tuesday. According to the Texas Tribune, Cornyn cited his continued push for a conservative agenda and the need for an independent FBI Director as reasons for his withdraw.

"Now more than ever the country needs a well-credentialed, independent FBI director," he said in a statement. "I’ve informed the administration that I’m committed to helping them find such an individual."

The Texas Tribune reported Cornyn saying his spot is in the U.S. Senate.

"best way I can serve is continuing to fight for a conservative agenda in the U.S. Senate."

Cornyn's withdraw comes after Democrats and some Republican Senator's raised doubts about Cornyn's nomination. According to CNN, many lawmakers who were opposed to Cornyn were opposed to a politician being nominated to run the FBI. Senator Susan Collins of Maine said that normally, Cornyn would be a great choice, but not now.

"I think the world of John Cornyn, and he would be a great choice in normal times, but we're not living in normal times," Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, told CNN Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been pushing Merrick Garland for the post.

Cornyn's decision to stay in the U.S. Senate means all those Texas politicians who had dreamed about running for a special election will have to put those plans on hold.