(KGTV)--Ousted FBI director James Comey found out he had been fired when television screens flashed the breaking news while he was speaking to FBI employees in Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon.
That's according to a tweet sent by New York Times reporter Michael Schmidt.
RELATED: Pres. Trump fires FBI Director James Comey
It read: "[White House] and [Department of Justice] had been working on firing Comey since at least last week. [Jeff Sessions] had been working to come up with reasons."
and
"Comey learned of firing as he addressed FBI employees in LA. TV screens in background flashed news of firing. Letter was then given to FBI."
Schmidt wrote that Comey even laughed in response to the TV screens, thinking it was all a prank.
ABC 7 reported Comey was scheduled to speak at an event in West Hollywood tonight and that Los Angeles Police Department said he was still expected to speak despite being fired only hours before.
He was instead seen Tuesday boarding a jet and leaving Los Angeles.
The White House issued a statement that read in part:
"The FBI is one of the Nation's most cherished and respected institutions and today will mark a new beginning for our crown jewel of law enforcement."
Sandy Coronilla is a KGTV digital producer. Follow her @10NewsSandy
WH and DOJ had been working on firing Comey since at least last week. Sessions had been working to come up with reasons.
— Michael S. Schmidt (@nytmike) May 9, 2017
Comey learned of firing as he addressed FBI employees in LA. TV screens in background flashed news of firing. Letter was then given to FBI.
— Michael S. Schmidt (@nytmike) May 9, 2017
Fired FBI Director James Comey was scheduled to speak at an event tonight in WeHo. LAPD tells us he's still expected to attend. @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/ZqHFexr3zz
— Jory Rand (@ABC7Jory) May 9, 2017
