Were FBI directors other than James Comey fired? A listing of America's Bureau leaders through the years

President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday, sparking a wave of criticism and skepticism throughout the world.

According to the FBI, Comey was the 18th FBI director in America's history. It was reported on Wednesday morning that Andrew McCabe -- who joined the FBI 20 years ago -- will serve as the new acting director until a permanent Comey replacement is named and confirmed.

The president informed Comey of his termination a week after he generated national headlines with his dramatic testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Reports emerged on Tuesday that the FBI had found part of that testimony to be inaccurate.

In a letter sent on Tuesday, President Trump told Comey, "While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigations" before stating that he agreed with the recommendations of both Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to relieve the director of his post.

"I nevertheless concur with the judgement of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau," wrote Trump.

Click through to see America' FBI directors through the years:

Former FBI leader J. Edgar Hoover served under eight presidents and held his position for 48 years -- longer than any other FBI director in U.S. history. Most FBI directors serve in their role for about 10 years. Comey had sat as FBI lead since 2013 for three years.

Comey is the second FBI director to be fired from his position -- only following Williams Sessions, who was fired by former President Bill Clinton. As did Trump, Clinton cited the recommendation of then-attorney general Janet Reno in explaining his removal of Sessions as Bureau leader.

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William Steakin contributed to this report.