Both Sens. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) are warning Trump that firing Special Counsel Robert Mueller would be an impeachable offense.
Flake tweeted:
We are begging the president not to fire the special counsel. Don't create a constitutional crisis. Congress cannot preempt such a firing. Our only constitutional remedy is after the fact, through impeachment. No one wants that outcome. Mr. President, please don't go there.
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) March 20, 2018
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Lindsey Graham was clear on what the outcome would be during an interview with Hugh Hewitt.
Here is a transcript of the exchange:
Republicans are sending Trump a warning
Robert Mueller is a widely respected Republican. If Trump fires Mueller, he will put Republican Senators in the hot seat. The Senators will have the choice of being dogged by questions about Robert Mueller all through their reelection campaigns, or they can defy their president and restore the special counsel knowing that the end of Mueller’s investigation could be the impeachment of Trump.
Republicans don’t want to go there. They don’t want to have to make that choice. The Special Counsel is good for Republican candidates because he acts as a firewall that keeps them away from the Russia scandal. The statements of Flake and Graham are an expression of the concern of the entire Senate Republican caucus. Donald Trump has few allies in the Senate, so if it comes down to saving themselves or Trump, Senate Republicans are signaling that it isn’t going to be Trump.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association