The White House has offered several reasons for firing the man who oversaw the Russia probe.

"Cause he wasn't doing a good job."

"The rank and file of the FBI had lost confidence in their Director."

Not so according to the new face of the FBI testifying on Capitol Hill.

"Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI, and still does to this day."

And what of President Donald Trump's letter of dismissal claiming Comey had informed him on three occasions that he is not a target of the Russia probe, Senators had questions.

"Is it standard practice for the FBI to inform someone that they are not a target of an investigation?"

"I'm not aware of that being a standard practice."

In an interview with NBC, Trump stuck to his version of events.

"I actually asked James, I said 'if it's possible, would you let me know, am I under investigation?'

He said 'You are not under investigation.'"

Democrats meanwhile continue to fume over Comey's dismissal.

"He was leading an active kind of intelligence investigation into any links between the Trump campaign and the Russian government or representatives.

"It's hard to avoid the conclusion that the President's decision to remove Director Comey was related to this investigation.

And that, that is truly unacceptable."

Some Republicans have questioned the timing of Comey's firing, but say the President was fully authorized to do so.

Even with Comey gone, the FBI insists the investigation will go forward.

"The work the men and women of the FBI continues despite any changes and circumstance."

Comey had been scheduled to testify publicly before the Senate intelligence Committee Thursday.

He has now been invited to testify before the Committee next week behind closed-doors as a private citizen.