Members of Congress from both parties are going to have to respond, eventually, to special counsel Robert Mueller bringing charges against Trump associates Paul Manafort and Rick Gates. It’s no surprise that Democrats are a little quicker out of the gate, but let’s look first at what Republicans have to say, since they will be vital to keeping Donald Trump from firing Mueller. It’s crickets from House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other members of leadership so far.
Credit to Indiana’s Rep. Jim Banks:
But Banks and New York’s Rep. Elise Stefanik are looking pretty lonely as Republicans holding this position. Few Republicans are talking yet, and it’s a fair bet many of them will be closer to Rep. Sean Duffy’s position:
Quick! Change the subject! Distract!
Democratic members of Congress had a little more to say, with many focusing on the need to protect the independence of Mueller’s investigation and with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi calling again for “an outside, fully independent investigation.”
Michigan’s Rep. Dan Kildee said in a statement that “It is critical that special counsel Mueller be able to continue his investigation without interference, including from the President or his administration. This ongoing investigation should follow the facts, wherever they may lead.” After former Office of Government Ethics head Walter Shaub writing that “Every Member of Congress who cares about the republic should pledge now to take decisive action against the White House if Mueller is fired,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi replied with a simple “I do.”
And with some Republicans already swinging into distraction mode, Rep. Marc Veasey asked a question that’s on a lot of people’s minds:
In fact, Trump may already have told us, but with news this big, he may lash out with more than one distraction or attack.