GOP Onslaught Seeks To Shape Russia Story, While Keeping Clear Of More Firings

Updated at 12:53 p.m. EST

President Trump and his allies are harnessing their control over the levers of power to lean harder than ever into their narrative about the FBI, the Justice Department and the Russia imbroglio – while stopping short of actually replacing any more top leaders.

Republicans went on offense Monday by voting to authorize the release of a much-discussed memo that alleges the FBI and Justice Department abused their authority while investigating the Trump camp's connections to Russia.

And they hailed the resignation of Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, long a target of partisan ire. His retirement had been expected but what looked like an abrupt departure played well with the critics who have been taking aim at the FBI.

So far, the actions by the president and his supporters have been about turning up the volume on the storyline they say should be the focus in Washington, as opposed to actually shaking