Kevin Johnson

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — FBI Director James Comey, whose handling of the federal inquiry into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while secretary of State was harshly criticized by both Republicans and Democrats during the contentious presidential campaign, is expected to remain under new President Trump, an official with knowledge of the matter confirmed Tuesday.

Comey, more than three years into a 10-year term as chief of the federal law enforcement agency, told top aides in recent days that Trump had asked him to stay on, said the official who is not authorized to comment publicly on the matter. The director and Trump briefly discussed the matter during their first meeting in New York about three weeks ago.

Although FBI directors are appointed to decade-long terms, they can be removed by the president.

The news about Trump asking Comey to stay was first reported by The New York Times.

Last summer, Trump slammed Comey following a July announcement that the FBI would not be recommending criminal charges against the Democratic presidential nominee, despite characterizing her use of the private email server as "extremely careless.''

Read more:

FBI accepts CIA conclusion that Russians hacked to help Trump

Justice IG to launch review into FBI handling of Clinton probe

Trump reversed his assessment in October when Comey notified Congress 11 days before the general election that he was re-opening the inquiry after discovering a new cache of emails on a computer used by former New York congressman Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin.

That inquiry was closed again without charges two days before the election, though Clinton has blamed the episode and Comey for her defeat.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department launched an internal review of the FBI's handling of the inquiry, an action prompted by requests from federal lawmakers and members of the public, Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz said.

The inquiry will examine whether Justice and the FBI followed established "policies and procedures,'' specifically the series of public pronouncements by Comey related to the investigation in the midst of a contentious election season.

The FBI director's action in October went against long-established Justice and FBI policy not to take action in close proximity to an election that could influence the vote. Comey's late October decision also went against the counsel of the attorney general.

The inspector general's review will not evaluate the merits of the now-closed criminal inquiry or challenge the conclusions not to prosecute Clinton. Rather, it will focus on Justice and FBI policies that guided the probe.

More recently, the FBI has been leading part of an investigation into Russia's attempts to influence the U.S. election. Parts of that inquiry has reviewed contacts of current and former Trump aides with Russian officials.

Read more:

Dems ask for FBI probe of Trump-Russia link to DNC hack