WASHINGTON _ House Democrats said they will fight Republican attempts to "discredit and undermine" the work of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who is investigating whether President Donald Trump's associates helped Russian meddling in last year's election.
"There is an organized effort by Republicans, in concert with Fox News, to spin a false narrative and conjure up outrageous scenarios to accuse special counsel Mueller of being biased," Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said.
Trump has said he has no plan to fire Mueller, but Democrats are alarmed by escalating criticism of the special counsel's work.
"Why is the president afraid of the facts and the truth?" Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said.
He added, "No matter what the facts are, we're satisfied if the investigation is complete."
A letter of support signed by 171 Democratic members of Congress will be sent to Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller and oversees his investigation.
Rosenstein has defended Mueller in the face of Republican criticisms.
