Ex-FBI agent hits Trump for criticism of intelligence community

A former FBI special agent ripped President Trump’s criticism of the intelligence community in an article published Saturday.

Frank Montoya Jr. told Business Insider that the intelligence community is frustrated the president does not rail against Russia to the same degree he shares his criticism of the Justice Department and intelligence agencies.

“There is a lot of anger in the FBI (the entire intelligence community, for that matter) over how this president will say nary a negative word about the Russians, but will insult us every chance he gets,” Montoya said.

{mosads}Montoya also served as the the Director of the Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive. 

The former special agent’s comments come as special counsel Robert Mueller continues to probe alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia’s election meddling. 

Trump last week tore into the FBI on Twitter, saying it was in tatters. 

“After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters – worst in History!” Trump said, referencing former FBI Director James Comey, whom he fired in May. 

“But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness.”

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.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2017

The president’s tweet came days after ousted White House national security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. 

Flynn announced he would cooperate with Mueller’s probe.