FBI Director Comey, who angered Democrats, gets hug from Trump

[January 23, 2017]    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - FBI Director James Comey upset Democrats over the email drama that engulfed Democrat Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. On Sunday, he got a hug from President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump greets Director of the FBI James Comey as U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (L) and Director of the Secret Service Joseph Clancy (2nd L) watch during the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 22, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

It occurred at a reception for law enforcement and security officials in the White House Blue Room on Trump's second full day as president.

Trump saw Comey in the audience and called out to him. Comey then strode up to Trump, who shook his hand and gave him a hug.

"He's become more famous than me," Trump said with a chuckle.

Comey sent a letter to the U.S. Congress only days before the Nov. 8 election announcing that he was reinstating an investigation into whether Clinton mishandled classified information when she used a private email server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2012.

The FBI director announced a week later that he had reviewed a new batch of emails and decided there was no new indication that a prosecution was needed, but the political damage was already done.

Days after the election, Clinton privately blamed Comey for her shock defeat, telling donors that Trump was able to seize on both of Comey's announcements and use them to attack her.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Paul Simao)

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