Former FBI director James Comey called President Trump a liar and accused him of undermining the law in a media availability Monday following his second closed-door congressional interview. Comey excoriated Trump and "his acolytes" for hurting the reputation of the FBI. The former G-man called the damage to the bureau's reputation a "tragedy" and that none of the blame resides with him.



"Director Comey, the FBI's reputation has taken a big hit over the last year. Do you share any of the responsibility for that?" the reporter asked.



"No," Comey responded. "The FBI's reputation has taken a big hit because the President of the United States, with his acolytes, has lied about it constantly and, in the face of those lies, a whole lot of good people who watch your network believe that nonsense. That's a tragedy."











"That will be undone eventually but that damage has nothing to do with me," he added.



Comey said Congressional Republicans had "everlasting shame" and that he hoped one day they will realize that when they have to explain to their grandchildren what they put him through.



"To my view, to their everlasting shame, I hope they'll overcome that and realize some day they got to explain to their grandchildren what they did today," Comey said.



"I'm very proud of the way the FBI conducted itself," he said. "Agile, flexible, thoughtful, pursued the lead where you'd want us to."





QUESTION: Director Comey, the FBI's reputation has taken a big hit over the last year. Do you share any of the responsibility for that?



COMEY: No. The FBI's reputation has taken a big hit because the President of the United States, with his acolytes, has lied about it constantly and, in the face of those lies, a whole lot of good people who watch your network believe that nonsense. That's a tragedy. That will be undone eventually but that damage has nothing to do with me...



QUESTION: Director Comey, what can be done to fix it? About the -- the way the public is seeing the FBI, what the president's saying?



COMEY: 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.



(CROSSTALK)



QUESTION: Of the Republicans who are remaining in the House next session do you see taking that mantle? Coming up and defending the FBI, taking on the president?



COMEY: Not yet. To -- to my view, to their everlasting shame, I hope they'll overcome that and realize some day they got to explain to their grandchildren what they did today.