Former FBI agent: Trump's comments on Comey 'detestable'

Former FBI agent James Gagliano on Friday called President Trump's criticism of fired FBI Director James Comey "destestable."

"You've got a man like James B. Comey whose probity is legion, and you contrast that with the president, whose moral turpitude was on full display during the campaign, as well as in the past," Gagliano said on CNN's "New Day."

"And it just strikes me as just so detestable to hear that — 'grandstanding,' 'showboating.' The FBI director is not worried about optics. Politicians are."

Trump's decision to fire Comey sparked a firestorm in Washington, and the White House has struggled to explain the shocking decision.
In an interview with NBC's Lester Holt that aired Thursday, Trump explained his rationale for Comey's ouster.

"He's a showboat, he's grandstander, the FBI has been in turmoil," Trump said of Comey. "You know that, I know that. Everybody knows that. You take a look at the FBI a year ago, it was in virtual turmoil, less than a year ago. It hasn't recovered from that."

The White House has also portrayed Comey as a failed leader who lost the confidence of the FBI's rank and file.

That narrative, however, was directly contradicted on Thursday by the bureau's acting director, who told the Senate Intelligence Committee that Comey was highly respected at the FBI.