Comey recalls that during the meeting, in late November 2016, Obama told him, “I picked you to be FBI director because of your integrity and your ability. I want you to know that nothing — nothing — has happened in the last year to change my view,” the Post reports.

Comey had been widely criticized for his handling of Hillary Clinton’s email server investigation when he announced just before the presidential election that the FBI was reopening the probe. In the days leading up the election, he announced there were no new developments, but Clinton has said Comey’s actions contributed to her loss.