Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamThe Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Senate Democrats' campaign arm announces seven-figure investment to boost Graham challenger Graham: Comey to testify about FBI's Russia probe, Mueller declined invitation MORE (R-S.C.) said Thursday that the investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia appears to be a criminal investigation.

“It seems to me now to be considered a criminal investigation,” Graham told reporters.

Graham's remarks came shortly after the Senate met with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel on the Russia investigation Wednesday.

Graham said that the creation of the special counsel will likely hamper congressional probes.

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“I think a lot of members want the special counsel to be appointed but don’t understand that you’re pretty well knocked out of the game. And that’s probably the way it should be,” he continued.

President Trump said Thursday that Mueller’s appointment to lead the investigation “hurts the country.”