Senate

Democrats double down on calls for Congress to protect Mueller

by Jordain Carney - 10/30/17 2:47 PM ET

Democrats are doubling down on their push to limit the Trump administration’s ability to unilaterally fire Robert Mueller as the special counsel’s probe into Russian election meddling heats up.

Mueller unveiled charges against President Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and Rick Gates, a business associate of Manafort, on Monday. The special counsel’s office also announced that former Trump campaign aide George Papaodolous has pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators.

{mosads}Democratic lawmakers are warning in light of the charges that the probe into Russia’s election interference and potential ties between Moscow and the Trump campaign must be allowed to continue unimpeded.

“The President must not, under any circumstances, interfere with the special counsel’s work in any way. If he does so, Congress must respond swiftly, unequivocally, and in a bipartisan way to ensure that the investigation continues,” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement on Monday.

Senators have introduced two bills aimed at blocking Trump, or the Department of Justice (DOJ), from being able to fire Mueller without cause. One proposed bill, from GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Democratic Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.), would require a judge to approve a DOJ request to fire Mueller or any other special counsel. The second bill, from GOP Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) and Democratic Sen. Chris Coons (Del.), would let Mueller or any special counsel challenge their firing in court.

Schumer’s remarks were quickly echoed by members of the Senate Democratic caucus, who have publicly worried for months that Trump could try to fire Mueller.

“Any direct or indirect attempts to interfere with or undermine the Special Counsel’s investigation are dangerous, and could possibly constitute obstruction of justice. … All of us now — Republicans and Democrats alike — must protect the integrity and independence of the Special Counsel’s investigation,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), a former chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who is supporting Graham’s legislation, said that “Mueller, his team, and the grand juries with which they are working must be allowed to continue their work free from political interference.”

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, added: “President Trump must not, in any way, try to derail or obstruct this effort.”

Democrats are also warning Trump against trying to pardon individuals caught up in Mueller’s probe, which they argue could be seen as an attempt to obstruct justice.

“Members of Congress, Republican and Democrat, must also make clear to the president that issuing pardons to any of his associates or to himself would be unacceptable, and result in immediate, bipartisan action by Congress,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, said in a statement.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Warner’s counterpart in the House, appeared to prebut Monday’s announcement by telling ABC News on Sunday that, “I don’t think the president’s power is all as, that absolute, as people have been suggesting.”

Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) added on Monday that lawmakers should “join together and promise swift and decisive action to defend the Constitution if President Trump tries to fire Special Counsel Mueller or issue a pardon of his associates.”

Trump’s previous flirtations with firing Mueller, who is widely respected in Washington, sparked bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill.

Though GOP leadership has held off on supporting either of the Senate bills they’ve also publicly thrown support behind Mueller continuing his investigation.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday denied that Trump is mulling firing Mueller in response to the charges.

“There is no intention or plan to make any changes in regards to the special counsel,” she told reporters.

But conservatives, including The Wall Street Journal editorial board, are increasingly calling on Mueller to resign.

Trump also hit back against Mueller’s charges on Monday, arguing his campaign did not collude with Russia and that Manafort was old news.

Sorry, but this is years ago, before Paul Manafort was part of the Trump campaign. But why aren’t Crooked Hillary & the Dems the focus?????

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 30, 2017