Paul Ryan insists the Nunes memo isn't an attack on the FBI -- but Republicans' own tweets say otherwise

House Speaker Paul Ryan on Thursday said that the controversial memo written by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) should not be seen as an attack on the Department of Justice or the Federal Bureau of Investigation, nor should it be seen as an attack on special counsel Robert Mueller's probe.

However, his fellow Republicans have been using the memo to directly attack the integrity of the FBI and DOJ -- and they haven't been shy about saying so in public statements on social media.

"Having read 'The Memo,' the FBI is right to have 'grave concerns,'" wrote Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) on Thursday. "It will shake the organization down to its core -- showing Americans just how the agency was weaponized by the Obama officials/DNC/HRC to target political adversaries."

"I have read the memo," wrote Rep. Steve King (R-IA) last week. "The sickening reality has set in. I no longer hold out hope there is an innocent explanation for the information the public has seen. I have long said it is worse than Watergate."

"FBI Deputy Director McCabe’s resignation is a step in the right direction," wrote Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) earlier this week. "I'll continue fighting on behalf of the American people to expose & eradicate corruption within the FBI and DOJ. Equal and fair treatment under the law must be upheld at all times."