President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE on Thursday thanked House Republicans "for being tough" in the face of the ongoing impeachment inquiry one day after a few dozen GOP lawmakers stormed a secure hearing room in the U.S. Capitol in protest.

"Thank you to House Republicans for being tough, smart, and understanding in detail the greatest Witch Hunt in American History," Trump tweeted.

The president claimed "it has been going on since long before I even got Elected," a reference to his long-held but unsubstantiated claims that FBI agents and other intelligence community officials were biased against him during the 2016 campaign.

Thank you to House Republicans for being tough, smart, and understanding in detail the greatest Witch Hunt in American History. It has been going on since long before I even got Elected (the Insurance Policy!). A total Scam! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2019

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Trump's tweet came a day after House Republicans caused a furor when they stormed a room being used for closed-door testimony from an administration official as part of the impeachment inquiry.

The lawmakers portrayed their actions as an effort to protest the lack of transparency from Democrats leading the investigation. Trump was reportedly informed of their plans ahead of time.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham Stephanie GrishamIvana Trump on Melania as first lady: 'She's very quiet, and she really doesn't go to too many places' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump uses White House as campaign backdrop Coronavirus tests not required for all Melania Trump speech attendees: report MORE earlier Thursday praised the display as a "very bold stand."

But Democrats and former intelligence community officials rebuked it as a stunt that impugned the process of the hearings and threatened national security, given some lawmakers broke with protocol and brought cellphones into the room.

Trump has in recent days publicly called for Republicans to get tougher in defending him against impeachment.

He has expressed particular frustration with Republicans in the Senate, where Sen. Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyCrenshaw looms large as Democrats look to flip Texas House seat The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error MORE (R-Utah) has proven to be a thorn in the president's side. Romney has been outspoken in his criticism of Trump's foreign policy and his calls for Ukraine and China to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE and his son.

"[Democrats] stick together," Trump said Wednesday in Pennsylvania. "They don't have a Mitt Romney in their midst. They don't have the Mitt Romneys of the world. They stick together better than the Republicans do."