Sen. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden Maybe they just don't like cowboys: The president is successful, some just don't like his style MORE (R-Ariz.) condemned 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's latest attack against Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsGOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status MORE on Monday night, saying Trump was trying to use the Department of Justice to "settle political scores."

Flake said in a tweet that Trump was wrong to criticize Sessions for not considering the political consequences of pursuing criminal charges against two GOP lawmakers.

"This is not the conduct of a President committed to defending and upholding the constitution, but rather a President looking to use the Department of Justice to settle political scores," Flake wrote on Twitter.

This is not the conduct of a President committed to defending and upholding the constitution, but rather a President looking to use the Department of Justice to settle political scores. https://t.co/E74YmhD4dB — Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) September 3, 2018

Flake, a frequent critic of the president, was condemning Trump's tweets earlier Monday in which he attacked Sessions for pursuing criminal charges against GOP Reps. Chris Collins Christopher (Chris) Carl CollinsConspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention NY Republican Chris Jacobs wins special election to replace Chris Collins 5 things to watch in Tuesday's primaries MORE (N.Y.) and Duncan Hunter Duncan HunterDCCC reserves new ad buys in competitive districts, adds new members to 'Red to Blue' program Wife of former Rep. Duncan Hunter sentenced to 8 months of home confinement Harris endorses Democrat in tight California House race MORE (Calif.).

ADVERTISEMENT

Trump argued that Sessions should have considered the political consequences of pursuing cases against the lawmakers, who both supported Trump early in his presidential campaign.

"Two long running, Obama era, investigations of two very popular Republican Congressmen were brought to a well publicized charge, just ahead of the Mid-Terms, by the Jeff Sessions Justice Department," Trump tweeted.

"Two easy wins now in doubt because there is not enough time. Good job Jeff," he added.

Collins was charged in August with securities fraud and lying to the FBI about attempts last year to give family members nonpublic stock information to help them avoid losing thousands of dollars in investments.

Hunter and his wife, Margaret Hunter, were also charged with misusing $250,000 in campaign funds and falsifying campaign records filed with the Federal Election Commission. The congressman is accused of using campaign funds to pay for family vacations, dental work, golf outings and more.

Collins suspended his reelection campaign last month but has said he is innocent. Hunter, meanwhile, has said that the charges against him are politically motivated and the result of a "witch hunt."