Story highlights President Donald Trump fired James Comey and the hunt is on for a replacement

John Cornyn is the second GOP lawmaker to remove himself from consideration

(CNN) Sen. John Cornyn, the second ranking Republican in the Senate, has asked to be removed from consideration to be the next FBI director, the Texan said in a statement.

"Now more than ever the country needs a well-credentialed, independent FBI Director," Cornyn said. "I've informed the Administration that I'm committed to helping them find such an individual, and that the best way I can serve is continuing to fight for a conservative agenda in the US Senate."

Cornyn's decision comes after his own Senate colleagues suggested he might not be right for the job, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recommending former Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland over Cornyn for the job.

Cornyn and at least seven other candidates interviewed with Justice Department officials about the position this weekend.

Cornyn is the second GOP lawmaker to remove himself from consideration, just days after he interviewed with Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

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