US President Donald Trump says he could announce a replacement for sacked FBI director James Comey by the end of this week, with interviews for the role already underway.

Key points: Shortlisted candidates already being interviewed to replace James Comey

Shortlisted candidates already being interviewed to replace James Comey Close to a dozen people under consideration for the position

Close to a dozen people under consideration for the position Candidates include acting FBI director Andrew McCabe, a judge and a Senate figure

"Even that is possible," he told reporters when asked whether he could announce his nominee by Friday.

Eight candidates for the role were in line on Saturday (local time) for the first interviews with Attorney-General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein, at Justice Department headquarters.

They will be among more than a dozen candidates Mr Trump will consider — a group that includes several lawmakers, attorneys and law enforcement officials.

"I think the process is going to go quickly. Almost all of them are very well-known," Mr Trump said aboard the plane that took him to Lynchburg, Virginia, where he gave the commencement address at Liberty University.

"They've been vetted over their lifetime essentially, but very well-known, highly respected, really talented people. And that's what we want for the FBI," he said.

The Trump administration is looking to fill the job, which requires Senate confirmation, after Mr Trump abruptly fired director James Comey last week.

Sorry, this video has expired Donald Trump has promised a quick decision on a replacement for James Comey.

Candidates include acting director, associate judge

The first candidate to arrive was Alice Fisher, a high-ranking Justice Department official in the George W Bush administration.

Also among those interviewed was Adam Lee, special agent in charge of the FBI's Richmond, Virginia, office.

Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe also interviewed for the permanent post, despite his repeated willingness to break from White House explanations of Mr Comey's ouster and its characterisations of the Russia investigation.

Sorry, this video has expired Acting FBI director Andrew McCabe defends James Comey

Michael Garcia, a former prosecutor and associate judge on New York's highest court also interviewed, along with John Cornyn, the number two Senate leader and a former Texas attorney general.

US District Judge Henry Hudson, a George W Bush appointee who struck down the centrepiece of the Obama administration's health care law in 2010, is also vying for the role.

Frances Townsend, former homeland security and counterterrorism adviser to George W Bush, and former Michigan Representative Mike Rogers also met with Justice officials.

Mr Rogers came endorsed by the FBI Agents Association, which said his diverse background made him the best choice for the job.

He is the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who also worked as an FBI special agent based in Chicago in the 1990s.

Former Michigan Representative Mike Rogers met with Justice officials. ( AP: Manuel Balce Ceneta, file )

FBI has never had a female director

Ms Fisher and Ms Townsend were the only women on the list of candidates.

The FBI has never had a female director.

Frances Townsend was the homeland security and counterterrorism adviser to George W Bush. ( Reuters: Phil McCarten )

Each has worked in high-profile positions in the Justice Department.

Ms Fisher formerly served as assistant attorney-general for the Justice Department's Criminal Division.

She faced resistance from Democrats during her confirmation over her alleged participation in discussions about detention policies at the Guantanamo Bay facility in Cuba.

Mr Lee, a longtime agent, has worked in a variety of positions within the bureau.

Before Mr Comey tapped him to lead the Richmond office in 2014, he was chief of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, investigating some of the highest profile cases against government officials and civil rights violations in recent years.

He also led the FBI's global Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Antitrust Programs.

Mr Sessions has faced questions over whether his involvement in Mr Comey's firing violated his pledge to recuse himself from investigations into Russian interference in the election.

Some politicians have alleged the firing was an effort to stifle that FBI probe.

Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said Mr Sessions and Mr Rosenstein were involved in the interviews because the FBI director will report to them as Attorney-General and the Deputy Attorney-General.

They can make recommendations, but the President will ultimately make the hiring decision.

AP