Questions cloud Comey's ouster

Late Tuesday, news broke that President Trump removed FBI Director James Comey at the recommendation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

In a letter to the director, the President said that it is "imperative that we find new leadership for the FBI that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission." He also added that he greatly appreciated Comey's informing the President "on three separate occasions" that he is "not under investigation."

Comey was leading an investigation into whether members of President Trump's campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 election.

Former federal prosecutor John Radsan spoke with MPR News reporter Marianne Combs on the political significance of this moment.

"I was shocked. I was amazed, and I don't have those reactions often. This was a big story to me," Radsan said.

Comey was speaking to a room of FBI agents in Los Angeles when the news broke. He initially thought it was a prank.

"That's an indication of how out of the blue this story was for me, and for many other people," Radsan continued.

Aside from the need for a "fresh start" one of the reasons given yesterday for Comey's dismissal was his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email server.

Last October, then candidate Trump praised Comey's work at a campaign rally in Michigan.

"I have to give the FBI credit, that was so bad what happened originally, and it took guts for Director Comey to make the move that he made, in light of the kind of opposition he had, where they're trying to protect her from criminal prosecution, you know that. ... I really disagreed with him, I was not his fan. But I'll you what he did, he brought back his reputation."

What changed?

"That's very difficult to say," Radsan replied.

William Sessions is the only other former FBI Director to be removed from office by a sitting president. President Bill Clinton fired him in 1993 after a six months long ethics investigation that yielded a damning 161 page report.

Comey was unpopular with Democrats or Republicans.

"I think that's a sign that he's doing his best to do the right thing," Radsan said. "He's going to disappoint both sides if he's in a position of power long enough.

Comey served less than half of what was supposed to be a 10-year term; FBI directors cannot be reappointed.

The design of this term length limits the FBI director's power, while also allowing them to serve under multiple presidential administrations. It is also a way to help insulate this position from the political fray.

However, there are no laws that prevent President Trump, or any president, from removing the FBI director from office.

Questions remain about who will replace Comey. "I don't know who the next FBI director will be. I can't imagine somebody that's going to satisfy us all," Radsan said.