Senate GOP Want Trump To Tap New AG To Quell Furor Over Mueller Probe

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) arrives at a closed-door GOP caucus meeting following the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Supreme Court nom... WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) arrives at a closed-door GOP caucus meeting following the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh on Capitol Hill, September 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. The committee is tentatively scheduled to hold a markup and a committee vote on his nomination on Friday morning. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Senate Republicans are publicly urging President Trump to nominate someone to permanently replace Jeff Sessions as attorney general soon in hopes that a nominee would quell bipartisan concern over the future of special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe, Politico reported. 

Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) told Politico a nominee would likely “relieve a lot of the controversy,” referencing efforts to introduce legislation to protect Mueller and prevent the defunding or derailment of the investigation. Cornyn also said that Matt Whitaker — who Trump tapped to serve as acting attorney general and who has been publicly critical of the Russia probe — is “not going to be there long.”

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) also told Politico that whoever is nominated would need to be clear about their Mueller intentions from the get-go, a move that would likely irk the President, but appease Congress.

“It would be helpful to start moving … so we can have that person in place as soon as possible,” Lankford told Politico. “Whoever is going to be there would have to make clear statements about what they intend to do on the special counsel. The sooner the better. Let’s get it resolved.”

Trump’s lawyers have reportedly contacted President George H.W. Bush alum Bill Barr about the job, sources familiar with the conversation told Politico. Barr didn’t refuse the position, but suggested they look at other alternatives. Trump’s team has also contacted former George W. Bush administration Attorney General Mark Filip, according to Politico.

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