Obama Preparing To Nominate Former Bush Official as Next FBI Director

James Comey, a Republican, would replace Robert Mueller if confirmed by the Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is preparing to nominate former Bush administration official James Comey to head the FBI, people familiar with the decision said Wednesday.

Three people with knowledge of the selection said Obama planned to nominate Comey, who was the No. 2 in President George W. Bush's Justice Department. The three people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the selection ahead of Obama's announcement, which was not expected immediately.