Arizona congressman calls for Robert Mueller to resign
Jul 31, 2017, 9:00 PM | Updated: Aug 2, 2017, 10:40 am
FILE - In this June 13, 2013 file photo, FBI Director Robert Mueller listens as he testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, as the House Judiciary Committee held an oversight hearing on the FBI. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team of lawyers investigating potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign is still growing, but its early composition reveals a breadth of experience in criminal law and in following the money. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
PHOENIX — An Arizona congressman called for special counsel Robert Mueller to resign Monday, claiming the latter had at least two conflicts of interest.
U.S. Rep. Trent Franks echoed President Donald Trump’s claim that at least four people on Mueller’s staff investigating Russian interference in last year’s election had made donations in support of former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
“These obviously deliberate partisan hirings do not help convey impartiality,” Franks said.
The congressman also said Mueller’s longstanding relationship with former FBI Director James Comey was cause for concern.
Mueller and Comey — who was investigating the Russian interference before he was fired by Trump — had worked closely together since at least 2003.
“No one knows Mr. Mueller’s true intentions, but neither can anyone dispute that he now clearly appears to be a partisan arbiter of justice,” U.S. Rep. Trent Franks said in a statement.
“Accordingly, the law is also explicitly clear: he must step down based on this conflict of interest.”
After being praised initially, Mueller has become a matter of consternation for some of the president’s supporters in recent weeks. Some have called on Trump to fire Mueller.
The comments come amid increasing frustration at the White House and among Trump supporters that the investigation will overshadow the president’s agenda for months to come.
“Republicans are delusional if they think the special counsel is going to be fair. Look who he is hiring,” tweeted former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, an informal Trump adviser.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
