Following another round of congressional questioning regarding the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigations and the Russian election interference investigation, former FBI director James Comey called on Republicans to focus on what’s important: "the truth," in his words. In no uncertain terms, Comey slammed Republicans for not standing up to President Donald Trump, specifically in regards to Trump's previous attacks against the agency.

"Somebody has to stand up and speak for the FBI," Comey told reporters after his interview with members of the House Judiciary and Oversight committees. "People who know better, including Republican members of this body, have to have the courage to stand up and speak the truth, not be cowed by mean tweets or fear of their base. There is a truth and they're not telling it. Their silence is shameful."

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Comey, according to CNN, said it is possible that the FBI’s reputation has suffered due to Trump’s past remarks.

"The FBI's reputation has taken a big hit because the President of the United States has lied about it constantly," Comey said.

Comey added that the round of questioning he just faced is not what policymakers should be focused on right now, according to Politico.

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"So another day of Hillary Clinton emails and the Steele Dossier," Comey told reporters. "This while the President of the United States is lying about the FBI, attacking the FBI and attacking the rule of law in this country. How does that make any sense at all?"

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders responded to Comey's comments on Twitter on Monday.

"Republicans should stand up to Comey and his tremendous corruption - from the fake Hillary Clinton investigation, to lying and leaking, to FISA abuse, and a list too long to name,” Sanders tweeted. “The President did the country a service by firing him and exposing him for the shameless fraud he is."