FBI Director Christopher Wray is dismissing criticism of the bureau from politicians, saying that the agency's brand "couldn't be higher" outside of Washington.

"What I try to tell our folks is that while there are a lot of opinions out there about us, the opinions that really matter are the opinions of a jury when one of our agents takes the stand or a judge when he's being presented with a warrant or community leaders who are having to work side-by-side with our people," Wray told USA Today in an interview published Tuesday.

Outside the tumult of Washington, Wray said, Americans still see the FBI in a positive light.

"Our brand — with those people — couldn't be higher," he said. "The appreciation we get ... I've been almost taken aback, but in a good way."

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The FBI has drawn significant scrutiny in recent years, particularly from President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE, who has repeatedly questioned the bureau's handling of the investigations into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Poll: 51 percent of voters want to abolish the electoral college MORE's use of a private email server and Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Trump has said that the FBI's "reputation is in tatters — worst in history," and that the institution has lost the confidence of the public.

The agency has also come under fire from some lawmakers, who have accused agents of abusing surveillance orders and politicizing the FBI's work.

Wray's comments came as his immediate predecessor, 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, embarks on a cross-country tour to promote his new book, "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership," which recounts his time as the nation's top cop and paints Trump in an unflattering light.

Trump fired Comey in May, ostensibly for his handling of the FBI's Clinton investigation. He later acknowledged that the probe into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia also factored into his decision.