House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) on Tuesday joined a handful of Republicans urging conservative critics of the special counsel in charge of the Russia investigation to back off.
“I’d be surprised” if Trump interfered with Mueller’s work, or fired him, Ryan told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. “I think he should let Bob Mueller do his job, do his job independently and do his job quickly, because I think that that’s what he would want to have happen. So I just — I’m not going to get into hypotheticals. I’d be surprised if he would do that.”
Hewitt asked how Ryan would advise the President to interact with Mueller.
“I think he should let Bob Mueller do his work,” Ryan said. “I think we should let Bob Mueller do his work and get to the bottom of it, and get to the bottom of it quickly so that he can be vindicated, get to these things. Let’s not forget what this is originally all about. Russia is up to no good. Russia is trying to meddle into our elections.”
On Monday, Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy, a friend of President Donald Trump, said “I think he’s considering perhaps terminating the special counsel. I think he’s weighing that option.” White House press secretary Sean Spicer responded to the claim by saying that Ruddy “never spoke to the President regarding this issue.” But Ruddy didn’t back down from his assertion.
Asked if Trump would pledge not to interfere with Mueller’s work, a lawyer representing the President said Sunday, “I’m not going to speculate on what he will, or will not, do.”
Some influential conservatives, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Ann Coulter, have joined the attempt to undermine Mueller.
Still, Ryan joins Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and John McCain (R-AZ), who have either expressed confidence in Mueller, or concern at talk of Trump dismissing him.
The deputy attorney general appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel nine days after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, who had acknowledged he was leading an investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Wait till somebody in the right wing media points out to tRump that Ryan – second in line to the presidency – is now actively trying to undermine his administration via Mueller.
Hope I have time to hit the can and grab some more popcorn. I don’t want to miss any of this shit-show.
Pauly, Pauly, Pauly. You’re the one who didn’t knee-cap the right wingers in “your” House when you had the chance.
Well, I guess it’s time for some country music.
Ryan is just a Grandstander and a showboat, he will help pushing Mueller off the cliff, when nobody looks…
Psychologically speaking, I don’t see any way for Trump NOT to fire Mueller. He has the power to do it. Are you telling me Donald Trump is going to sit there and do nothing while some guy goes after him, month after month?
No way.