Former FBI agent James Gagliano on Friday called President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE's criticism of fired FBI Director James Comey James Brien ComeyBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Michael Cohen book debuts at top of bestseller list Trump offered Kelly FBI director's job, demanded loyalty: report MORE "destestable."

"You've got a man like James B. Comey whose probity is legion, and you contrast that with the president, whose moral turpitude was on full display during the campaign, as well as in the past," Gagliano said on CNN's "New Day."

"And it just strikes me as just so detestable to hear that — 'grandstanding,' 'showboating.' The FBI director is not worried about optics. Politicians are."

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Trump's decision to fire Comey sparked a firestorm in Washington, and the White House has struggled to explain the shocking decision.

In an interview with NBC's Lester Holt that aired Thursday, Trump explained his rationale for Comey's ouster.

"He's a showboat, he's grandstander, the FBI has been in turmoil," Trump said of Comey. "You know that, I know that. Everybody knows that. You take a look at the FBI a year ago, it was in virtual turmoil, less than a year ago. It hasn't recovered from that."

The White House has also portrayed Comey as a failed leader who lost the confidence of the FBI's rank and file.

That narrative, however, was directly contradicted on Thursday by the bureau's acting director, who told the Senate Intelligence Committee that Comey was highly respected at the FBI.