Ex-GOP lawmaker crushes Trump and Fox News for 'disgusting and offensive' attacks on Russia probe

Former Republican lawmaker Joe Walsh has generally been very supportive of President Donald Trump -- except when it comes to his handling of the Russia probe.

During a CNN panel on Friday, Walsh called out Trump, the Republican Party and Fox News for trying to downplay the role that Russia played in interfering in the 2016 presidential election. In particular, he said Trump deserved some blame for not taking the threat of Russian interference seriously.

"So much of this, when you really look back on this year, is so self-inflicted," Walsh said. "I mean, 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, I mean, that makes the United States look good."

Walsh also said that, even though Trump said he expected special counsel Robert Mueller would treat him "fairly," he still bears responsibility for his allies in Congress and right-wing media attacking the special counsel and his team.

"What Trump is doing right here is good cop-bad cop," he said. "Look, I think it is disgusting and offensive that my former colleagues and Fox News and everybody is maligning Robert Mueller. They're not doing that, Anna, if the president didn't want them to. And, so, it is perfectly easy for Trump to come out last night and say, 'You know what, Mueller will be fair.' These Republicans, they have his blessing, Anna, to go after Mueller. I think that's a horrible thing."

Watch the video below.