Culture

President Trump Is Considering Firing Special Counsel Robert Mueller, According To One Of His Close Confidants

In recent days, President Trump’s most ardent supporters have been working hard to remind their social media followers, and just about anyone who will listen, that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is a poor choice to investigate the Trump campaign’s alleged ties to Russia. In fact, it seems like the growing chorus from Newt Gingrich, Judy Woodruff, and others in the Trump sphere of influence believe Mueller will turn the investigation into a witch hunt.

Now, Chris Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax and close confidant of Trump has publicly stated that the President is considering firing Mueller after a visit to the White House. Immediately after his talk with the President, Ruddy went on PBS NewsHour (PBS may be defunded by Trump) to reveal the news:

“I think he’s considering perhaps terminating the Special Counsel. I think he’s weighing that option, I think it’s clear by what one of his lawyers said on television recently. I think it would be a very significant mistake even though I don’t think there’s a justification … for a Special Counsel in this case.”

Ruddy goes on to explain that Mueller worked at a law firm that has represented the Trump family, and was also considered for the vacant FBI Director job, which could prove to be a conflict of interest. However, much like Trump’s totally legal firing of former FBI Director James Comey, the timing and manner in which he’s coming to these decisions are sounding off alarm bells.

https://twitter.com/trumptrain45pac/status/874387826522992640

Even if Trump’s free of any wrongdoing, the people around him, such as Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions are all being investigated at this time. Could Trump’s loyalty to those around him be one of the main motivating factors to oust Mueller? Or, as the GOP is pointing out, is there a conflict of interest due to Comey and Mueller once working together in a close capacity as well as the fact that Mueller was once under consideration for the FBI job?

Since Trump is allowed to fire the Special Counsel as he sees fit, these questions were asked of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who couldn’t say if the investigation had full independence, which could lead to Mueller’s canning.

We’re far from a Saturday Night Massacre, but if Trump does fire Mueller, there are plenty of questions that need to be answered.

(Via PBS NewsHour)