Sen. Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin GrahamHere's who Biden is now considering for budget chief House Democratic leaders back Shalanda Young for OMB after Tanden withdrawal The Memo: Is Trump mounting a comeback — or finally fading? MORE (R-S.C.) said Sunday that he's confident that acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker will assert "no political influence" on special counsel 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's investigation despite his past criticism of the investigation.
"I am confident the Mueller investigation will be allowed to come to a good, solid conclusion — that there will be no political influence put on Mr. Mueller by Mr. Whitaker to do anything other than Mr. Mueller’s job. I’m confident that Mr. Mueller will allowed to do his job without interference," Graham said on CBS's "Face the Nation."
.@LindseyGrahamSC plans to meet with Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) November 11, 2018Matthew G WhitakerEx-federal prosecutor: 'Thank God' Whitaker is gone, Barr will bring 'integrity' back to DOJ GOP pollster says Dems are relitigating 2016 election with investigations of Trump Former senior FBI official calls Whitaker hearing ‘disgraceful’ MORE: I’m confident Mr. Mueller will be able to do his job without interference by Mr. Whitaker. pic.twitter.com/WuICCCJD8I
President Trump
Donald TrumpHouse passes voting rights and elections reform bill DEA places agent seen outside Capitol during riot on leave Georgia Gov. Kemp says he'd 'absolutely' back Trump as 2024 nominee MORE last week appointed Whitaker as acting attorney general after forcing the resignation of Jeff Sessions
Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsTanden withdraws nomination as Biden budget chief Manchin flexes muscle in 50-50 Senate Udalls: Haaland criticism motivated 'by something other than her record' MORE.
Democrats have voiced concern that Whitaker may try to interfere with or end Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Whitaker, who in his new role oversees that investigation, previously said the investigation had "gone too far" and once suggested that a new attorney general should reduce funding for the investigation.
Graham on Sunday also dismissed the idea that, given those past comments, Whitaker should recuse himself from the investigation.
“You don’t recuse somebody because they have opinions different than the people they’re overseeing. Trust me, there’s politics abounds when it comes to the Mueller investigation that Trump’s guilty no matter what Mueller finds," he said.
"The bottom line here that Mr. Mueller will be allowed to do his job without political interference by Whitaker. Mr. Whitaker, I think, is legally qualified and otherwise qualified to oversee this investigation until a new attorney general is appointed, and I think that will happen early next year," Graham added.
