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A call by a leading Republican lawmaker for a special counsel to investigate possible Russian interference in 2016 elections highlights the growing pressure facing lawmakers on the issue as they return this week from a recess.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.), an early supporter of President Donald Trumps whose district narrowly voted for Hillary Clinton last year, said over the weekend that the Justice Department should consider appointing a special counsel to probe any links between the Kremlin and Trump associates.

A new WSJ/NBC News poll released Friday shows a growing concern among Americans, and core-Trump supporters, over President Donald Trump's connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Press Pool/Kremlin

I would expect that the attorney general will find a career U.S. attorney, appoint him or her to head that up, and to do that job in an independent way, Issa told reporters on Saturday. That is historically the right way to deal with something like this.

Issas position, which he also aired Friday in an appearance on HBO, was a notable crack in Republican ranks. GOP leaders have said for months that the Senate Intelligence Committee and its House counterpart are equipped to probe allegations of Russian tampering, brushing aside calls for an independent commission, a select congressional committee or a special counsel.

An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.

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Leading Republican calls for special counsel for Trump-Russia probe - MarketWatch