Special counsel a target
Trump allies question whether special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election is becoming too political
WASHINGTON — Criticism of special counsel Robert Mueller used to be off-limits. No more.
Some of President Donald Trump’s closest allies — including one of his sons — have begun questioning whether Mueller’s wideranging probe is becoming too political as the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election intensifies.
The effort to muddy the waters surrounding the investigation is coming amid growing White House concern that the probe could detract from the president’s agenda for months or years to come. Senators on Tuesday questioned both Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on how the inquiry is being handled.
Until now, Mueller had drawn widespread praise from Republicans and Democrats alike. Trump, who isn’t typically shy about leveling criticism, especially on Twitter, hasn’t commented on the longtime former FBI director. And leading Republican legislators on Tuesday waved off the idea of firing Mueller, with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., saying that his advice was to “let Robert Mueller do his job” and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., voicing confidence in the special counsel.
But expressions of discontent with Mueller are bubbling up nonetheless.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., led one line of attack with a tweet saying, “Republicans are delusional if they think the special counsel is going to be fair.”
He added that fundraising records show some of the lawyers Mueller selected for his team have contributed to Democrats.
“It makes sense to point out any level of bias, to highlight any biases inherent in Mueller and this probe in order to force him to be transparent,” Gingrich said. He said Trump called him Monday night and the two discussed Gingrich’s concerns about the probe.
Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined to comment on the issues Gingrich and others have raised.