In the aftermath of President Donald Trump firing of former FBI Director James Comey, one housekeeping question emerged amid the circus of speculation: who would replace Comey, and how long will it take to for them to take office?
(R-SC), a member of the House Intelligence Committee and former chairman of the House's committee on Benghazi, was reportedly on the shortlist of Comey replacements, but in a statement released on Monday, Gowdy shot down the FBI director job offer. The South Carolina Republican cited his lack of qualification as his reasoning.
In the statement, Gowdy said he was out of the country on work for the House Intelligence Committee when Comey was fired, and upon returning spoke with AG Sessions about the position.
"I spoke briefly with Attorney General Sessions Saturday when I returned and again this afternoon," Gowdy's statement reads. "I shared with him two things: (1) the qualities I believe are indispensable for our next FBI Director to possess, and (2) my first conviction that I would not be the right person."
In a tweet, Gowdy said the country needs an FBI director who possesses "not only impeccable credentials but also one who can unite the country as we strive for justice & truth."
Read Gowdy's entire statement below via Twitter.