With reports that President Trump is considering firing special counsel Robert Mueller from leading the Russia investigation, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, surmised on MSNBC Monday night that the White House is afraid, very afraid.
“They’re clearly afraid of Mueller and his independence and the thoroughness of the investigation he’s likely to lead,” said Schiff. “You can’t exclude the possibility, but I think it’s just a way of raising doubts about this very good man respected by people on both sides of the aisle.”
Several Trump associates and confidantes are supposedly pushing the president to remove Mueller because he has proven himself to be partisan and untrustworthy. Newt Gingrich, for instance, pointed out that a number of Mueller’s staff have donated to Democrats.
Republicans are "delusional" if they think Mueller is going to be a fair investigator, Gingrich said.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, however, who would be the one doing the firing, put the rumors to bed Tuesday. In his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, he insisted that Mueller's job is safe. He is "confident," he said, that Mueller has full independence.
White House officials also denied the reports Monday night.
If Trump does insist on firing Mueller, however, Schiff said he has a way around him.
If President fired Bob Mueller, Congress would immediately re-establish independent counsel and appoint Bob Mueller. Don't waste our time.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) June 12, 2017
Following Rosenstein in the hot seat Tuesday will be Attorney General Jeff Sessions. He is expected to field his own questions from the committee about the firing of FBI Director James Comey and the Russia investigation at large.