President Trump told reporters Sunday evening that he is not considering firing special counsel Robert Mueller, whose investigation into Russian election meddling has been a constant irritant to the White House. At the same time, however, Trump and his allies are stepping up their campaign to discredit Mueller, who has come under fire from Republicans following reports that several members of his team demonstrated anti-Trump animus.
Investigator Peter Strzok, whom Mueller removed from his team in August, reportedly sent texts to a colleague in 2016 disparaging Trump and saying that Hillary Clinton “just has to win.” Another prosecutor, Andrew Weissman, has drawn criticism as well for his support of the Clinton campaign and an email he sent acting Attorney General Sally Yates praising her for refusing to enforce Trump’s travel ban.
The allegations of bias have been a major talking point for the White House and its allies for weeks, with media figures and even some congressmen saying it proved the investigation should be shut down.
“There is a cleansing needed in our FBI and our Department of Justice,” Fox News host Jeanine Pirro said Dec. 10. “It needs to be cleansed of individuals who should not just be fired but who need to be taken out in handcuffs.”
Congressman Matt Gaetz made a similar argument last Thursday on Fox News Radio, asking, “Where in the hell is our attorney general?”
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01.22.2025