MSNBC's "Morning Joe" co-host Joe Scarborough lashed out at former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Fox News host Sean Hannity early Thursday for attacking special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE.

Scarborough called Gingrich's attack "contemptible."

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"For Newt Gingrich to shame himself, for Newt Gingrich to disgrace himself, for Newt Gingrich to humiliate himself, for Newt Gingrich to lay waste to his legacy by comparing a Vietnam War hero, who's dedicated his entire life to protecting the U.S. Constitution for Americans, to compare Bob Mueller to Joseph Stalin, the most evil man of the 20th century? Shows you how contemptible Newt Gingrich is as a man," Scarborough said on air.

Gingrich during an appearance on "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday compared FBI searches of the homes and offices of associates of President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE to tactics used by former Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin or the Gestapo, the secret police in Nazi Germany.

Scarborough on Thursday also blasted Hannity, calling him a "desperate, desperate man" who is "desperately defending a desperate, desperate president."

"The fact that other people are entertained by trashing a hero in Vietnam, by trashing a man that's guided America through 9/11, a man that's dedicated his entire life to protecting Americans at home and abroad is beneath contempt, and it shows how desperate they all are," Scarborough said.

Hannity took aim at Mueller on the Wednesday night airing of his Fox News show, describing "deep state crime families" working to take down Trump.

Trump himself promoted that segment on Twitter earlier Wednesday, writing, "Big show tonight on @seanhannity!"

Mueller is investigating Russia's role in the 2016 presidential race and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

Trump has ripped that investigation as a "hoax" and a "witch hunt."

Speculation that Trump could move to fire Mueller was reignited on Monday after FBI agents executed a raid on the hotel room, home and office of Michael Cohen, Trump's personal attorney. That search infuriated the president, who called it a "disgrace" and an "attack on our country."

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Trump sought in December to fire Mueller.