A Republican group defended special counsel Robert Mueller
Robert (Bob) MuellerAn unquestioning press promotes Rep. Adam Schiff's book based on Russia fiction Senate Democrats urge Garland not to fight court order to release Trump obstruction memo Why a special counsel is guaranteed if Biden chooses Yates, Cuomo or Jones as AG MORE against attacks by President Trump
Donald TrumpHillicon Valley — Cyberattack hits Ukrainian defense On The Money — GOP senators block Biden's Fed picks Florida county clerk's typo directed ticketed drivers to site selling Trump merchandise MORE in an ad that aired Wednesday morning during “Fox & Friends” — a show that Trump is said to frequently watch.
The 30-second ad from Republicans for the Rule of Law highlights Mueller’s military service in Vietnam and his service as head of the FBI during the Bush administration.
“Mueller has been trusted by Republicans to put America first,” the ad says.
It also shows congressional leaders Sen. Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellGOP scrambles to figure out what Trump legal drama means for future Senate leaders send Putin symbolic warning shot amid invasion fears GOP boycotts Biden Fed nominees' vote as bank fights inflation MORE (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Paul Ryan
Paul Davis RyanGOP bill highlights Republican rift on immigration How Kevin McCarthy sold his soul to Donald Trump On The Trail: Retirements offer window into House Democratic mood MORE (R-Wis.) supporting the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
“I have a lot of confidence in Bob Mueller,” McConnell says in the ad.
McConnell has said he believes Mueller should not be fired but said Tuesday he doesn’t think the Senate needs to pass legislation to protect the special counsel.
The ad also shows Vice President Pence saying “the special counsel has a job to do.”
It urges viewers to call their representatives and demand they protect the Mueller investigation.
Republicans for Rule of Law was founded by conservative commentator Bill Kristol and GOP members who don’t want to see Mueller fired during his Russia investigation.
Kristol tweeted about the ad on Monday night, taking a dig at Trump’s television habits by airing the spot during the Fox News show the president reportedly watches.
“You (and President Trump) can see our first TV ad--defending the Mueller investigation--on Fox and Friends in DC tomorrow morning.”
I'm honored to be a founding director of Republicans for the Rule of Law. You (and President Trump) can see our first TV ad--defending the Mueller investigation--on Fox and Friends in DC tomorrow morning. But why wait? Take a look at it on our website now.https://t.co/Trxm4Tu1yC
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) April 10, 2018
Reports broke on Tuesday that Trump had tried to fire Mueller in December after inaccurate claims that Mueller subpoenaed Deutsche Bank for Trump’s finances.
The White House said Tuesday that Trump “certainly believes” he has the power to fire Mueller after the FBI raided the office and home of his personal attorney, Michael Cohen.
However, legal experts say the authority falls on the Department of Justice official in charge of the probe, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein
Rod RosensteinWashington still needs more transparency House Judiciary to probe DOJ's seizure of data from lawmakers, journalists The Hill's Morning Report - Biden-Putin meeting to dominate the week MORE.
Trump is reportedly mulling firing Rosenstein over the raid since the deputy attorney general personally signed off on the paperwork approving it.
Republicans and Democrats have united in their support of Mueller and urged the president not to fire Rosenstein.
Sen. Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerAmerican unity is key to a Europe whole and free Anxious Democrats want Biden to speed up vetting for Supreme Court pick Democratic Senate debates merits of passion vs. pragmatism MORE (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday afternoon that Trump firing Rosenstein would spark a "constitutional crisis."
