Rep. Jim Himes James (Jim) Andres HimesDem rep: To call Mueller probe a witch hunt is ‘to be completely unhinged’ Overnight Cybersecurity: House Intel votes to release Russia report | House lawmakers demand Zuckerberg testify | Senators unveil updated election cyber bill House Intel votes to release report in Russia probe MORE (D-Conn.) said that people "will rot in hell" for attacking special counsel Robert Mueller Robert Swan MuellerSasse: US should applaud choice of Mueller to lead Russia probe MORE and former FBI Director James Comey James Brien ComeyGOP unveils mock cover of Comey book with ‘ego’ attack NY Daily News cover hits Trump over Comey book revelations Geraldo Rivera: Comey is the reason Trump is president MORE.

Himes gave an impassioned defense of both Mueller and Comey on CNN’s “At This Hour” Friday after President Trump Donald John TrumpTrump: I'd only rejoin Pacific trade pact if deal was 'substantially better' GOP unveils mock cover of Comey book with ‘ego’ attack NY Daily News cover hits Trump over Comey book revelations MORE attacked both men.

“This is all part and parcel of the attempt that the White House is making to besmirch Robert Mueller, a decorated war hero,” Himes said of Trump’s disparaging comments.

“So yes, let’s have that conversation about whether Jim Comey [erred] over the Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonGeraldo Rivera: Comey is the reason Trump is president Five things to know from Comey's new book Comey in new book: 'I’m sorry' I couldn't better explain decision on Clinton probe MORE thing, but people will rot in hell for for besmirching the reputation, the integrity and the professional history of these two men," he said.

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He said that those going after Mueller and Comey were “using the apparatus of the White House” and the Republican Party to “trash the integrity of a good man.”

“When those tools get used to trash the integrity of two good men, this country’s gone over a cliff,” Himes said.

Trump has slammed Mueller's probe into ties between his campaign and Russia as a "witch hunt" and has raised the possibility of firing Mueller.

The New York Times reported last week that Trump had attempted to fire Mueller last year over a news report that the special counsel was seeking the president's financial records, but backed off after Mueller's team told the White House that the report was inaccurate.

Trump also lashed out at Comey in a pair of tweets early Friday after excerpts of Comey's new book disparaging Trump were released.

James Comey is a proven LEAKER & LIAR. Virtually everyone in Washington thought he should be fired for the terrible job he did-until he was, in fact, fired. He leaked CLASSIFIED information, for which he should be prosecuted. He lied to Congress under OATH. He is a weak and..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2018