Spineless GOP Opposes Legislation To Protect Mueller As Trump Threatens Russia Investigation

Republican leadership in the Senate is declining to advance any legislation that would protect Robert Mueller as he continues to investigation Donald Trump’s ties to Russia during the 2016 campaign.

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According to The Hill, the second most powerful Republican, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in the Senate scoffed at the idea that Trump would consider firing Mueller.

“I don’t think that’s going to happen so I just think it’s not necessary and obviously legislation requires a presidential signature,” Cornyn said, according to the report. “I don’t see … the necessity of picking that fight right now.”

The GOP’s inaction when it comes to protecting Mueller – and thus protecting the U.S. democracy – has been stunning, particularly in recent days as Trump knocked off another one of his foes in the FBI, former deputy director Andrew McCabe.

The reaction to the firing of McCabe, which came one day before he was set to retire, has been fierce and harsh. Democrats, a handful of Republicans and even many former members of the intelligence community have spoken out against the move.

One of the toughest responses came from “nonpartisan” former CIA director John Brennan, who called Trump a “disgraced demagogue” and said he “will not destroy America,” despite his best efforts.

GOP leadership is disturbingly silent as Trump pushes America towards a constitutional crisis

Despite the widespread backlash to McCabe’s firing and the fact that at least one GOP lawmaker has put forward legislation to protect Mueller, Republican leadership in the House and Senate remain largely silent on Trump’s increasingly dangerous rhetoric and behavior.

Instead of putting the country first, they continue to prioritize partisan politics.

By failing to protect the special counsel as he continues this critical investigation into Trump’s potential crimes, Republicans are not doing themselves any favors. As Jason Easley noted earlier today, “If Republicans don’t protect the special counsel, and Trump fires him, they will pay with their seats in November.”

At the end of the day, the GOP isn’t just hurting the country by letting Trump repeatedly overstep his power – they’re risking their own jobs, too.

Sean Colarossi

Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.