File photo taken on May 3, 2017 shows that James Comey, director of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during a hearing in Washington D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Bao Dandan)

WASHINGTON, May 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump fired James Comey, the director of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the White House said on Tuesday.

"Today, President Donald J. Trump informed FBI Director James Comey that he has been terminated and removed from office," a White House statement said.

"President Trump acted based on the clear recommendations of both Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions," the statement added.

"The FBI is one of our nation's most cherished and respected institutions and today will mark a new beginning for our crown jewel of law enforcement," the statement quoted Trump as saying.

A process to select a new FBI director is underway.

Comey was appointed as FBI director in 2013, and has been embroiled in controversy during the presidential election in 2016 after announcing an investigation into the emails of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton days before election day, a move Hillary said was partially the cause of her loss.