Interestingly, this article claims that Trump was taken by surprise by the reaction:
Not realizing that the Democrats had all reversed their position on Comey immediately after the election is, if anything, even more delusional than the Democrats pretending their previous position never existed.
Quote:But the fallout seemed to take the White House by surprise. Trump made a round of calls around 5 p.m., asking for support from senators. White House officials believed it would be a "win-win" because Republicans and Democrats alike have problems with the FBI director, one person briefed on their deliberations said.
Instead, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told him he was making a big mistake — and Trump seemed "taken aback," according to a person familiar with the call.
Not realizing that the Democrats had all reversed their position on Comey immediately after the election is, if anything, even more delusional than the Democrats pretending their previous position never existed.