Holder, Yates, Comey and current FBI agents rip Trump's attack on bureau: 'Simply false'

Former acting Attorney Gen. Sally Yates, former Attorney Gen. Eric Holder and others hit back at President Donald Trump's contention on Sunday that the FBI's reputation is "in tatters" and that the agency is at its "worst" point "in history."

Trump launched a pair of anti-FBI tweets on Sunday, saying, "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."

Former Attorney Gen. Eric Holder fired back, "Nope. Not letting this go. The FBI’s reputation is not in ‘tatters,’” Holder tweeted. “It’s composed of the same dedicated men and women who have always worked there and who do a great, apolitical job. You’ll find integrity and honesty at FBI headquarters and not at 1600 Penn Ave right now.”

Yates -- who tried in vain to warn the Trump administration that Michael Flynn was compromised and vulnerable to Russian influence -- wrote, "The FBI is in 'tatters'? No. The only thing in tatters is the President’s respect for the rule of law. The dedicated men and women of the FBI deserve better."

“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," wrote former FBI Director James Comey, who Trump fired in an effort to protect Flynn from investigation.

The FBI Agents' Association (FBIAA) released a statement blasting Trump's attack.

"Every day, FBI Special Agents put their lives on the line to protect the American public from national security and criminal threats. Agents perform these duties with unwavering integrity and professionalism and a focus on complying with the law and the Constitution," wrote FBIAA President Thomas O'Connor. "This is why the FBI continues to be the premier law enforcement agency in the world. FBI Agents are dedicated to their mission; suggesting otherwise is simply false.”