US President Trump Friday escalated a feud between the FBI and Republicans over the probe into Russia by releasing a classified memo which the law enforcement agency had tried to keep under wraps.
The document, which was put together by congressional Republicans, alleges bias against Mr Trump during the investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Mr Trump approved the release of the memo after ignoring a plea from the FBI to keep it secret.
Mr Trump declassified the four-page memo, telling reporters its contents told a shameful story of bias against him, and Republicans on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee released it to the public.
The document has become a talking point in a continuous battle between Republicans and Democrats over Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s criminal probe into possible collusion between Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia’s interference during the 2016 election.
Democrats have discredited the memo, saying it is an inaccurate and misleading portrait intended to undermine Mr Muller’s probe.
They believe Mr Trump’s allies might use it to give him a reason to fire US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who hired Mueller.
The President said “you figure that one out” when asked by reporters if he had confidence in Mr Rosenstein.
Mr Trump said: “A lot of people should be ashamed.”
The billionaire has continued to criticise Mr Mueller’s investigation, denying any collusion or obstruction of justice.
Moscow has denied any election meddling.
In a tweet on Friday, Mr Trump accused top US law enforcement officers of politicising investigations.
This comes after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey last May.
Mr Comey has since come out and told a congressional hearing that he believed his removal was an effort by Mr Trump to undermine the Russia probe.
Senator John McCain strongly criticised his fellow Republicans and President Trump for attacking the FBI and the Justice Department.
The senator said: “If we continue to undermine our own rule of law, we are doing Putin’s job for him.”