WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans and Democrats are scrambling in the final days of 2017 to establish their own narratives on multiple Russia investigations and the integrity of the investigators, a partisan messaging battle that has intensified as special counsel Robert Mueller has appeared to focus more intently on President Donald Trump and his inner circle.

Congressional Republicans who have endured almost a year's worth of speculation and investigations into Trump's ties to Russia are hoping to move on in 2018, renewing focus on Democrat Hillary Clinton and stepping up criticism of Mueller. D...