Politico reports several Republican lawmakers are expressing support for legislation that would protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller in case President Trump attempted to fire him without good cause.
Rep. Charlie Dent introduced a version of the bill on Friday, and on Monday, fellow Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick signed on as a cosponsor. On Tuesday morning, Rep. Ryan Costello — a third Pennsylvania Republican — endorsed the measure, according to an aide, as did Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.). Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) signed on to an identical version of the bill that Democrats introduced last week.
But passing this kind of legislation is not on the House majority's agenda. Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) continues to insist it is unnecessary.
"We do not believe that he should be fired. We do not believe he will be fired," Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday morning.
Ryan has repeatedly attributed his confidence in that assertion to conversations he's had with White House officials, and he declined to say whether Trump himself had given such a promise.
Ryan’s remarks come despite recent New York Times reports that Trump has twice ordered Mueller to be fired, including as recently as December, only to be reeled in by staff and his legal team. The president continues to rage publicly about the expanding probe.
Politico notes those lawmakers willing to step out of line with party when it comes to protecting Mueller may be willing to do so only because their time in Congress is limited.
Dent, Costello and Ros-Lehtinen are all retiring — in fact, Dent announced Tuesday he would resign his seat next month — and Jones has said this November will be his last election. Fitzpatrick is the only member of the early group of House Republican supporters who hasn't announced an intention to leave Congress.
Several House Republicans endorse bill to protect Mueller (Politico)