Key dates in Trump, Comey relationship

Donald Trump and FBI director James Comey, who was fired by the president on Tuesday, have been on a collision course since last year when US intelligence discovered a Russian plot to interfere in the presidential election. Here are key dates in the saga:

JULY 2016

The FBI quietly opens an investigation into Russian interference in the US election, which would only be officially revealed eight months later

OCTOBER 7, 2016

US intelligence officials announce that top Russian officials are behind hacking and disinformation operations designed to disrupt the election

NOVEMBER 8, 2016

Trump wins the election in a shock upset over Democrat Hillary Clinton, under the shadow of Russian interference and Comey's controversial handling of an investigation into Clinton's private email server

DECEMBER 10, 2016

Democrats accuse Comey of withholding information about Russian election interference during the campaign to boost Trump

JANUARY 6, 2017

Comey and three other top intelligence officials brief Trump on their conclusion that Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind the bid to interfere with the election, in support of Trump

MID-JANUARY 2017

Trump asks Comey to stay in his post in the new administration

FEBRUARY 14, 2017

The FBI rejects a White House request to refute a New York Times story alleging numerous contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russian intelligence

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Trump blasts the FBI over news reports on the Russia case, tweeting: "The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time"

MARCH 8, 2017

Comey says he plans to stay in his job for a full 10-year term, until 2023, quipping: "You are stuck with me for another six-and-a-half years"

MARCH 20, 2017

Comey confirms for the first time that the FBI is investigating Russian interference in the election -- including any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government, and any possible coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts.

He also flatly denies Trump's claim that former president Barack Obama ordered investigators to tap the phones at Trump's New York home.

MAY 9, 2017

Trump fires Comey.

SOURCE: AFP