But overall, the Republicans’ muted reaction should not be surprising. Even after the Watergate break-in, the resignations of some of Richard Nixon’s top aides and his dismissal of the attorney general and deputy attorney general, many in his party stood by him until his resignation. Presidential scandals have illustrated a consistent pattern: Members of Congress largely back the president of their party.

This doesn’t mean Republicans will back Trump forever, particularly if the special counsel or the congressional committees unearth more. And if Democrats win control of the House or the Senate in 2018, the tenor of Congress will of course change on the Russia controversy.

But for now, Republicans are in charge, and they don’t seem to be abandoning Trump yet.