McCain: Mueller must be allowed to finish investigation ‘unimpeded’

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Sunday praised special counsel Robert Mueller amid speculation that President Trump may be preparing to fire him. 

“Special Counsel Mueller has served our country with honesty and integrity. It’s critical he be allowed to complete a thorough investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election — unimpeded,” McCain tweeted.

Special Counsel Mueller has served our country with honesty and integrity. It’s critical he be allowed to complete a thorough investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election — unimpeded.

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) March 18, 2018

Trump has at various times this weekend lashed out at the FBI, Department of Justice and Mueller probe, prompting speculation he might call for Mueller’s firing.

{mosads}On Saturday, he asserted that Mueller’s investigation should never have been opened in the first place. On Sunday, he attacked the makeup of Mueller’s team, claiming it is unfairly stacked with Democrats. Mueller himself is a Republican.

The tweets came shortly after Trump’s lawyer, John Dowd, called on Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversees Mueller’s investigation, to shut down the probe.

On Sunday, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle warned Trump against firing the special counsel. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) suggested such an action would be “the beginning of the end” of Trump’s presidency.

Mueller has obtained guilty pleas from three former Trump associates, and indicted former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. He also filed charges against 13 Russians and three Russian organizations for allegedly interfering in the 2016 election.