Reports indicate FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe was forced out; White House denies involvement

Shortly after FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe announced Monday that he was stepping down from the agency, reports surfaced that he was forced out by FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Following the publishing of those reports, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that the White House was not involved in the personnel decision.

Fox News, CNN, and other outlets reported that McCabe was "removed" from his position.

CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta said that sources reportedly familiar with the situation said McCabe's decision to step down was mutually made by both him and the administration.

"Source familiar with McCabe matter describes his departure as a 'mutual' decision," Acosta tweeted after the news broke. "He was tired of being 'undermined' but Trump and WH was 'not happy' with him."

Source familiar with McCabe matter describes his departure as a “mutual” decision. He was tired of being “undermined” but Trump and WH was “not happy” with him.

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) January 29, 2018

He later added, "Source telling us FBI Director Wray told McCabe he was bringing on a new team and that he was not part of it. Writing was on the all. All points to McCabe essentially being pushed out."

More... Source telling us FBI Director Wray told McCabe he was bringing on a new team and that he was not part of it. Writing was on the all. All points to McCabe essentially being pushed out. https://t.co/6gET0Y7dOH

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) January 29, 2018

How did the White House react?

President Donald Trump held an apparent vendetta against McCabe amid accusations that McCabe colluded with FBI official Peter Strzok, who was removed from the Russian collusion investigation, to undermine the president.

During the news conference, reporters asked Sanders whether the administration had a response to the news of McCabe's imminent departure, and whether Trump was instrumental in McCabe's decision to leave the FBI.

"None of this decision was made by the White House," Sanders said. "The president stands by his previous comments, but in terms of the situation today, we have seen reports as all of you have. We don’t have any specific comments."

She later added that the president "wasn’t part of this decision-making process."

Sarah Sanders on FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe stepping down: “The President stands by his previous comments” about McCabe and “the President wasn’t part of this decision-making process” https://t.co/M2ufI0AmZO pic.twitter.com/MJWgOFLMw3

— CNN (@CNN) January 29, 2018

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders denies POTUS has been putting pressure on DOJ or FBI officials: "The White House has been fully cooperative and will continue to be fully cooperative" with the special counsel investigation https://t.co/JumG5cxeCD pic.twitter.com/mYWbsRRpg0

— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) January 29, 2018

What's the history?

According to a Monday NBC News report, a source familiar with the situation said McCabe, 49, was “exercising his retirement eligibility” and that McCabe was “stepping aside.”

McCabe will reportedly stay on government payroll until he is able to retire in with full benefits in March.

Trump took aim at McCabe in recent months, and a December report alleged that the president wanted McCabe fired.