According to a New York Times report, Comey had found out he was dismissed from television news coverage that splashed on screens at an FBI field office in Los Angeles while he was addressing FBI employees.

After witnessing the televised report, Comey reportedly laughed, saying he thought it was a fairly funny prank, according to a separate New York Times report.

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Comey then stopped addressing the group after staff members told him to enter a nearby office. Shaking hands with the group, Comey entered the office and confirmed that he was fired.