Indeed, the FBI finds itself in its current straits in part because it’s already attempted to placate conservative distrust. In 2016, the bureau broke its policy and publicized its investigation of Hillary Clinton because the leadership feared the withering attacks they would face from the congressional GOP after a presumed Clinton victory. (They had no such fear of Democrats, which is why they kept their investigation of Trump’s connections with Russia secret before the election.) Trump even used the FBI’s demonstrated unfairness toward Clinton as a pretext to fire its director last year.
At best, the Republican attacks will clear the way for Donald Trump to close down the Mueller probe or turn federal law enforcement into a weapon of partisan control. At worst, they will supply his followers (including a critical mass of congressional Republicans) with a rationale for ignoring any incriminating conclusions the investigation yields. The FBI has no idea what the Republicans have in store for it, and no way out of the trap that awaits it.
-Jonathan Chait
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