Republican attacks on Mueller and FBI open new rift in GOP

To some Republicans, the attacks have gone too far, and are not representative of rank-and-file Republicans in Congress.

“Most of my Republican colleagues feel as I do that we have confidence in law enforcement,” said Representative Charlie Dent, a moderate Pennsylvania Republican. “I don’t know why that should change now that we have a Republican administration.”

Representative Trey Gowdy, who is helping to lead multiple investigations related to the department on Capitol Hill, said striking a middle position was viable — if unpopular in a political climate that rewards broadsides.

“It is not mutually exclusive to me to understand both the existence of an investigation and be asking for more perspective on how an investigation began,” he said.