Former FBI Director James Comey on Monday said that Republicans in Congress are "in fear" of Fox News and mean tweets, adding that they need to "stand up for the values of this country" but are not doing so.
Comey made the comments after finishing his second closed-door interview with House lawmakers. During Monday's lengthy meeting with members of the House Oversight and Judiciary committees, Comey answered questions about the Russia and Hillary Clinton email investigations. After the interview, Comey spoke to reporters and defended his decisions as FBI chief, while slamming President Donald Trump and Republicans.
"So another day of Hillary Clinton's emails and the Steele dossier," Comey said. "This while the president of the United States is lying about the FBI, attacking the FBI, and attacking the rule of law in this country. How does that make any sense at all?"
"Republicans used to understand that the actions of a president matter, the words of a president matter, the rule of law matters, and the truth matters," added Comey, who went on to question where those Republicans are.
"At some point, someone has to stand up, and in the face of fear of Fox News, fear of their base, fear of mean tweets, stand up for the values of this country and not slink away into retirement, but stand up and speak the truth," Comey said, appearing to take a shot at Republican lawmakers, such as Sens. Bob Corker (Tenn.) and Jeff Flake (Ariz.), who have been critical of Trump but are retiring from Congress.
"I find it frustrating to be here answering questions about things that are far less important than the values this country was built upon," Comey added.