President TrumpDonald TrumpNoem touts South Dakota coronavirus response, knocks lockdowns in CPAC speech On The Trail: Cuomo and Newsom — a story of two embattled governors McCarthy: 'I would bet my house' GOP takes back lower chamber in 2022 MORE on Tuesday intensified his attacks on Robert Mueller
Robert (Bob) MuellerWhy a special counsel is guaranteed if Biden chooses Yates, Cuomo or Jones as AG Barr taps attorney investigating Russia probe origins as special counsel CNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump MORE, predicting the special counsel’s team will be “MEDDLING” in the fall midterm elections in order to hurt Republican candidates.
Trump’s Twitter outburst, in which he labeled Mueller’s investigators as “13 Angry Democrats," is his latest attempt to undercut the credibility of the Russia investigation by arguing it is politically motivated.
“The 13 Angry Democrats (plus people who worked 8 years for Obama) working on the rigged Russia Witch Hunt, will be MEDDLING with the mid-term elections, especially now that Republicans (stay tough!) are taking the lead in Polls,” the president wrote. “There was no Collusion, except by the Democrats!”
Mueller, a Republican, has indicted four former Trump aides thus far in the wide-ranging probe into ties between the president’s campaign and Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election.
The man who appointed him, Deputy Attorney General Rod RosensteinRod RosensteinRosenstein: Zero tolerance immigration policy 'never should have been proposed or implemented' Comey argues Trump shouldn't be prosecuted after leaving Oval Office Trump turns his ire toward Cabinet members MORE, is also a Republican who was nominated to the Justice Department by Trump himself.
As the investigation has encroached on the president’s inner circle, Trump has increasingly made Mueller the target of his sharp tongue.
His use of the word “rigged,” which he frequently deployed during the campaign, is an effort to convince his supporters that the result of the Russia investigation will be tainted by bias.
“Why aren’t the 13 Angry and heavily conflicted Democrats investigating the totally Crooked Campaign of totally Crooked Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonMedia circles wagons for conspiracy theorist Neera Tanden The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by The AIDS Institute - Senate ref axes minimum wage, House votes today on relief bill Democratic strategists start women-run media consulting firm MORE,” Trump asked in another tweet early Tuesday. “It’s a Rigged Witch Hunt, that’s why! Ask them if they enjoyed her after election celebration!”
Just minutes later, Trump wrote that he should focus his attention more heavily on key policy issues instead of the Russia investigation, something many of his associates have pushed him to do.
"Sorry, I've got to start focusing my energy on North Korea Nuclear, bad Trade Deals, VA Choice, the Economy, rebuilding the Military, and so much more, and not on the Rigged Russia Witch Hunt that should be investigating Clinton/Russia/FBI/Justice/Obama/Comey/Lynch etc.," he tweeted.
There is no indication, however, Trump plans to abandon his aggressive public-relations war against Mueller.
By turning the investigation into another partisan fight, he has eroded Republican support for the special counsel.
A CNN poll taken earlier this month found a slight decrease in support for the Mueller probe amid all Americans, falling to 44 percent from 48 percent in March. But Republicans now give Mueller just a 17 percent approval rating, down from 29 percent.
