Freshman GOP rep calls for Mueller recusal from Russia probe

A member of the House Freedom Caucus on Friday called on the Justice Department’s special counsel, Robert Mueller, to recuse himself in the federal probe into Russian election meddling.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Az) said the “integrity of his appointment” was in question due to Mueller’s friendship with ousted FBI Director James Comey.

“His ability to be impartial is doubtful because he has surrounded himself with highly partisan lawyers who make a special practice to line the coffers of Democrats,” the freshman Republican lawmaker said in a statement, referencing attorneys Mueller has hired who have Democratic political leanings. 

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Trump’s relationship with the conservative Freedom Caucus is tenuous. Following the House’s initial failure to pass ObamaCare repeal legislation in March due to caucus resistance, President Trump said the conservatives had “hurt the entire Republican agenda,” lumping them in with Democrats he pledged to “fight” in the 2018 midterms.

Biggs’ comments come as the White House grapples with revelations surrounding alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russian election meddling. 

Despite the recent slew of revelations, Biggs claims the probe should not focus on Trump.

“This investigation should not be centered around President Trump, as multiple high-ranking officials, including Mr. Comey and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, have stated that they have not seen any evidence that he colluded with Russia or that he was under investigation,” he said. 

The president has also criticized Mueller’s ties to Comey. Trump called the ties between the two men “bothersome” during an interview with Fox News earlier in the day. 

The White House said Thursday that Trump does not intend to fire Mueller.