Republicans in Congress on Wednesday expressed confidence in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion by President Trump and his campaign, although pockets of skepticism are emerging.
Republicans said they have faith in the propriety of the Mueller probe, amid revelations that former members of the special counsel’s investigatory team were potentially biased in favor of Trump's former Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. Republicans are urging Trump against firing Mueller and quashing the probe, even as they highly doubt the president colluded with Moscow and worry that the investigation is swelling beyond its original scope.
“I know Mueller to be an honorable person. He’s going to do a thorough investigation. Just let it play out,” said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who has raised questions about the probe.
Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., a Trump ally, said he’s “incredibly concerned” with reports that some FBI agents might have openly favored Clinton and unfairly scrutinized the president. But the congressman said he is not ready to join some House Republicans' call to defund a Mueller probe that has run up a tab of about $7 million over five months.
“I’m not there; I have concerns,” Duffy said. "Hopefully they’ll stick with Russia, Russia, and Russia, and don’t expand beyond that.”
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01.22.2025