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American Morning

President Bush Set to Name New FBI Director

Aired July 05, 2001 - 11:23   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Keeping an eye on the White House Rose Garden because President Bush is expected to be there shortly to announce his selection for the next FBI director.

And let's go now to CNN White House correspondent Major Garrett who joins us now live with the expected details -- Major?

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Brian.

And, yes, in just a couple of minutes President Bush will escort Robert Mueller, he's age 56, to the podium, and introduce him to the country as the FBI's next director. Now, the senior administration officials CNN has spoken to said the president actually made this decision on Friday, scheduling it today before he makes an education speech and then takes off for a long weekend in Kennebunkport.

They said the president took a bit of time on this because he considered it a very, very important appointment. It is the first one, advisers said, that could out last a full two term presidency. In the words of this one adviser, he wanted to make sure he got it right.

After having dinner with Mr. Mueller a couple of weeks ago, the president was very impressed but there were still some personnel matters that had to be checked out. He put his head of personnel director Clay Johnson to that task. And the president also wanted to make sure all available candidates were checked out. He is fully confident that they have been. This is the person he wants to head the FBI. Of course, Mr. Mueller will replace Louis Freeh, who is about to retire -- Brian?

NELSON: All right, thank you -- CNN's Major Garrett reporting to us from the White House.

And we're keeping an eye on the Rose Garden -- President Bush expected momentarily to be out there in the Rose Garden to make his announcement for the nomination shortly.

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