President Donald Trump has feuded with his own political party, the Mayor of London, the father of an American arrested in China and now the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Trump has pointedly criticized the agency in the wake of a Friday plea deal by former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn for lying to federal officials.
“After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters – worst in History! But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness,” Trump tweeted Sunday.
The FBI Agents Association responded in a statement that denied that the agency needs to made great again.
“Every day, FBI Special Agents put their lives on the line to protect the American public from national security and criminal threats. Agents perform these duties with unwavering integrity and professionalism and a focus on complying with the law and the Constitution,” FBI Agents Association president Thomas O’Connor said. “This is why the FBI continues to be the premier law enforcement agency in the world. FBI Agents are dedicated to their mission; suggesting otherwise is simply false.”
Trump’s criticism of the agency, however, continued Monday as he re-litigated the lack of charges brought against Hillary Clinton for using a private server as secretary of state.
“Hillary Clinton lied many times to the FBI and nothing happened to her. Flynn lied and they destroyed his life. I think it’s a shame,” Trump told reporters before boarding Marine One. “She lied many times. Nothing happened to her. Flynn lied, and it’s like they ruined his life. It’s very unfair.”
Then-FBI Director James Comey said in a July 2016 Congressional hearing that the FBI has “no basis to conclude [Clinton] lied to the FBI.”
The FBI declined to comment when asked if it is in “tatters.”
Comey, however, quoted himself in a Twitter post defending his former colleagues.
“I want the American people to know this truth: The FBI is honest. The FBI is strong. And the FBI is, and always will be, independent.”
Me (June 8, 2017) pic.twitter.com/OZ1ZiBrMNL— James Comey (@Comey) December 3, 2017