washington crisis relationship president donald trump aid russia deepen wednesday grow number trump fellow republicans demand expand congressional inquiries matter trump seek focus attention call criminal intelligence leak oust national security adviser michael flynn trump force flynn monday disclosures discuss u.s. sanction russia russian ambassador unite state trump take office late mislead vice president mike pence conversations drama flynn departure late series white house missteps controversies since republican president swear jan. 20. news conference israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu wednesday trump say flynn retire u.s. army lieutenant general wonderful man mistreat news media republican trump critics include senators john mccain lindsey graham voice fresh consternation add pressure comment senate foreign relations committee chairman bob corker trump supporter corker say russia issue threaten trump agenda foreign affairs domestic matter like healthcare tax policy question whether white house able stabilize say flynn testify congress let get everything quickly possible russia issue corker tell msnbc morning joe program maybe problem obviously go much deep suspect democrats doubt trump justice department republican-led congress pursue matter vigorously demand independent investigation possible illegal communications flynn russian government efforts flynn white house officials conceal wrongdoing powerful democrat senate chuck schumer say attorney general jeff sessions close ally trump must recuse investigation republican democratic leaders u.s. senate judiciary committee ask sessions fbi director jam comey wednesday send committee document provide brief flynn resignation cite report federal bureau investigation justice department involve events lead flynn departure senators chuck grassley dianne feinstein say raise substantial question flynn discussion russian officials graham call broad bipartisan congressional investigation conduct newly form special committee rather exist committees turn trump presidential campaign communicate russians top republicans senate house representatives insist matter investigate exist republican-led committees senate house intelligence committees subcommittee senate judiciary committee announce launch investigations allege russian efforts influence election computer hack u.s. intelligence agencies previously conclude russia hack leak democratic email presidential campaign part efforts tilt vote nov. election trump favor congressional inquiries allege russian interference u.s. elections gain momentum capitol hill investigators press intelligence law enforcement agencies access classify document fbi several u.s. intelligence agencies investigate russian espionage operations unite state also look contact russia russian intelligence officer others tie president vladimir putin government people connect trump campaign fbi recently question flynn telephone contact russian ambassador washington people familiar agency multiple probe say evidence far pre-election collusion russians trump campaign evidence criminal activity flynn anyone else connect trump experts express concern white house could curtail divert probe flynn russian involvement election unless congress become aggressive hold hear appoint independent commission special prosecutor whether trump team violate federal laws contact russia intelligence agencies oversee trump may ideally suit job add end day job intelligence community regulate white house say stephen vladeck university texas law professor focus constitutional law national security un-american twitter post wednesday trump call report russian connection campaign team nonsense say leak real scandal early white house bid trump say would like improve relations putin stance criticize democrats republicans concern washington soften stance russia annexation crimea ukraine aggression syria republican lawmakers support even idea extend investigation cover action trump team weeks election flynn make call republicans include house intelligence committee chairman devin nunes call investigations leak news media conversations flynn russia ambassador washington trump administration offer flynn former job u.s. navy vice admiral robert harward say two u.s. officials familiar matter immediately clear harward former deputy commander u.s. central command accept offer accord source u.s. lawmakers push answer trump team 's russia tie