A number of Republican lawmakers are speaking out against speculation that President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE could fire special counsel Robert Mueller, saying the the president would be wise to let the former FBI director continue his investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

“He’s the best hope for giving us a product that the largest number of Americans can accept as credible,” Rep. Trey Gowdy Harold (Trey) Watson GowdySunday shows preview: Election integrity dominates as Nov. 3 nears Tim Scott invokes Breonna Taylor, George Floyd in Trump convention speech Sunday shows preview: Republicans gear up for national convention, USPS debate continues in Washington MORE (R-S.C.), the chairman of the powerful House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, told left-leaning Mother Jones.

Among the other GOP lawmakers advising against such a move are Sens. John Barrasso John Anthony BarrassoThe conservative case for phasing out hydrofluorocarbons GOP senator attacks Biden: 'I'm not sure what he recalls' Oil and gas is a partner — not an adversary — in meeting our economic and environmental goals MORE (Wyo.), Pat Toomey Patrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyAppeals court rules NSA's bulk phone data collection illegal Dunford withdraws from consideration to chair coronavirus oversight panel GOP senators push for quick, partial reopening of economy MORE (Pa.), Cory Gardner Cory Scott GardnerCook Political Report shifts Colorado Senate race toward Democrat Overnight Health Care: US coronavirus deaths hit 200,000 | Ginsburg's death puts future of ObamaCare at risk | Federal panel delays vote on initial COVID-19 vaccine distribution The Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting MORE (Colo.), Luther Strange Luther Johnson StrangeSessions hits back at Trump days ahead of Alabama Senate runoff The biggest political upsets of the decade State 'certificate of need' laws need to go MORE (Ala.), Pat Roberts Charles (Pat) Patrick RobertsThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Washington on edge amid SCOTUS vacancy The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill GOP senators say coronavirus deal dead until after election MORE (Kan.) and John Hoeven John Henry HoevenDavis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump Bottom line Bipartisan senators seek funding for pork producers forced to euthanize livestock MORE (N.D.), according to Mother Jones.

ADVERTISEMENT

"At this point, he should continue to complete his work, but it has to be an open and transparent process,” Hoeven said.

“We should allow Director Mueller to continue to do his job,” Gardner told Mother Jones.

Speculation has swirled in recent weeks that Trump could move to fire the special counsel, who is looking into, among other things, potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Trump has rejected the notion that his campaign coordinated with Russian representatives or officials, and has called Mueller's investigation a "witch hunt."

In recent days, the president and his allies have denied any plans to fire Mueller. Asked by a reporter earlier this week if he was planning to do away with the special counsel, Trump replied, "No, I'm not."

Mueller's integrity often earns a bipartisan defense, despite some challenges to the impartiality of his investigation.

A number of Republican lawmakers have already spoken out against the prospect of Trump firing Mueller, including Sens. Mike Lee Michael (Mike) Shumway LeeMcConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package McConnell tries to unify GOP Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump MORE (Utah), John McCain John Sidney McCainThe Memo: Trump's strengths complicate election picture Mark Kelly: Arizona Senate race winner should be sworn in 'promptly' Cindy McCain: Trump allegedly calling war dead 'losers' was 'pretty much' last straw before Biden endorsement MORE (Ariz.) and Joni Ernst Joni Kay ErnstThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting Liberal super PAC launches ads targeting vulnerable GOP senators over SCOTUS fight Romney backs pre-election Supreme Court vote, paving way for McConnell, Trump MORE (Iowa).