Most Ohio lawmakers: Let counsel finish job

WASHINGTON — Most Ohio lawmakers from both parties agree it would be a mistake for President Donald Trump to fire special counsel Robert Mueller, with Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles going so far as to say it would “be an egregious abuse of power, and an impeachable offense.”

Although some Republicans say Trump can legally dismiss Mueller, those such as Sen. Rob Portman and Reps. Mike Turner of Dayton and Steve Stivers of Upper Arlington say the White House should allow Mueller to finish his investigation into possible collusion in the 2016 presidential campaign between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.

“We need to let special counsel Mueller’s investigation go forward,” said Turner. “He is looking at important questions: What was the activity that was undertaken by Russia, how do we stop it in the future, and what actions may have been undertaken by Russia with the presidential campaigns?”

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, said Trump “has the right” to fire Mueller, but he maintains the president has “been very clear he’s not going to do it. I don’t know how many times he has to say it.” On April 9, when asked about firing Mueller, Trump replied, “We’ll see what may happen. Many people have said you should fire him.”

And though Democrats such as Ryan, Sen. Sherrod Brown and Reps. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo and Joyce Beatty of Columbus support a bill that would prohibit Trump from dismissing Mueller, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he will not permit the measure to be voted on in the Senate.

“I just wish the president would put everything on the table, would quit stonewalling, tell us everything and get this investigation done with,"