WASHINGTON – Ousted FBI chief James Comey on Friday praised President Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department, William Barr.

“I like and respect Bill Barr,” Comey said after leaving a day-long congressional hearing on Capitol Hill. “I know he’s an institutionalist who cares deeply about the integrity of the Justice Department.”

Trump hours earlier announced his nomination of Barr to succeed Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Barr would oversee the Russia probe into the Trump campaign that started under Comey’s watch and which the president has blasted as a “witch hunt.”

“Bill Barr is a talented person who was a good attorney general the first time. I liked him very much then and I think he’ll serve the Justice Department well,” said Comey.

Barr served as attorney general in the administration of George H.W. Bush.

Comey testified for more than six hours Friday before the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees.

GOP leaders wanted more time to grill Comey about the Hillary Clinton and Russia probes and he agreed to return Dec. 17.