Ousted FBI Director James Comey James Brien ComeyDemocrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Book: FBI sex crimes investigator helped trigger October 2016 public probe of Clinton emails Trump jabs at FBI director over testimony on Russia, antifa MORE fired back at President Trump for tweeting that the bureau's reputation was in "tatters" on Sunday, saying the FBI would always be independent.

“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)," Comey tweeted.

“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

Comey was responding to previous tweet from Trump posted on Sunday.

"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," the president tweeted.

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. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

The back and forth comes as Comey finds himself back in the spotlight after former national security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian officials.

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Comey testified to the Senate Intelligence Committee in June that Trump had asked him to drop the investigation into Flynn.

Trump fired Comey last May, which led to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller to probe Russia’s election meddling and any potential ties between the president’s campaign staff and the Kremlin.

Flynn has said he will cooperate with Mueller's probe.