Trump says he would not get involved if Whitaker moves to curtail Mueller probe

President Trump said Sunday that he would not get involved if acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker moved to curtail special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into alleged collusion between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.

“Look…it’s going to be up to him,” Trump told Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday” when asked if he was OK with Whitaker hypothetically limiting Mueller’s probe. 

“I think he’s astute politically. He’s a very smart person. A very respected person,” Trump said. “He’s going to do what’s right.”

{mosads}”I really believe he’s going to do what’s right.”

“But you won’t overrule him if he decides to curtail – ” Wallace began.

“I would not get involved,” Trump said. 

Some Democrats have raised concerns over Whitaker’s past critical comments about Mueller’s investigation now that he is in charge of overseeing it. Trump, elsewhere in the interview on Fox, also claimed he was not aware of Whitaker’s past comments when he appointed him to the position.

Trump has frequently railed against Mueller’s investigation himself, calling it a “witch hunt.”

Whitaker’s appointment has been roundly criticized by many on the left, with Democratic leaders last week calling it “fatally flawed.”

They argued that Trump appointing Whitaker to his position without Senate confirmation is a violation of the constitution. 

Defenders of the decision have pointed to the Vacancies Reform Act, which they say presidents have frequently used to appoint acting officials.