Conservative radio talk-show host and former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh on Friday slammed President Donald Trump for telling The New York Times that the Russia probe made America "look very bad," calling the controversy "self-inflicted" by Trump himself.
"So much of this, when you really look back on this year is so self-inflicted," Walsh, 56, who represented Illinois for two years beginning in 2011, told Ana Cabrera on CNN. "The president said that this Russian investigation makes the United States look bad.
"We know that Russia interfered in the election.
"Finding out what happened and how it happened to make sure it doesn't happen again — that makes the United States look good," Walsh said.
"Imagine how different this year would have been if after Trump won, he led the investigation to find out what Russia did in our election.
"It's been so disappointing that he still can't bring himself to acknowledge that."
President Trump told the Times in an interview Thursday that he believed special counsel Robert Mueller would treat him fairly and that his inquiry "makes the country look very bad."
"It puts the country in a very bad position," Trump said at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. "So, the sooner it's worked out, the better it is for the country."
Walsh, who has voiced support for Mueller's probe, later tweeted his attack on Trump's comments:
Walsh also ripped Fox News and other conservatives for attacking Mueller, telling Cabrera that "I think it is disgusting and offensive that my former colleagues and Fox News and everybody is maligning Robert Mueller.
"But they're not doing that, Ana, if the president didn't want them to.
"So, it's perfectly easy for Trump to come out last night and say, 'You know what, Mueller will be fair.'
"These Republicans, they have his blessing to go after Mueller — and I think that's a horrible thing."
Walsh tweeted his attack on Fox and other Republicans for attacking Mueller on Thursday:
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