WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has asked James Comey, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to stay on, U.S. media reported Tuesday.

The New York Times has quoted sources as saying that Comey had told his top agents across the country that he had been extended the offer.

Comey has thrown himself into the spotlight during the presidential campaign for launching two investigations into allegations that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton had improperly handled her work emails as the Secretary of State.

The second investigation just took place days before the presidential vote, though Comey said the FBI had closed the case just before the vote, Democrats say the publically-announced action could have cost Clinton her presidency.

The U.S. Justice Department on Jan. 13 said it would look into whether Comey's handling of Clinton's emails were proper during the election campaign.

If he stay on as FBI director, Comey would play a crucial part in the ongoing probe to determine the specific around Russia's alleged hacking activities that may have swayed the presidential election.