On Tuesday, May 9, 2017, President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE fired FBI Director James Comey James Brien ComeyDemocrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Book: FBI sex crimes investigator helped trigger October 2016 public probe of Clinton emails Trump jabs at FBI director over testimony on Russia, antifa MORE because he refused to drop the FBI’s investigation into Michael Flynn’s connections, and possible collusion, with Russian officials in their attempts to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.

In the words of then-White House strategist Stephen Bannon, that turned out to be one of “the worst mistakes in modern political history.” Why? Because it triggered the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE, who took over the FBI investigation and expanded it from examining not only collusion with Russia, but obstruction of justice by the president of the United States.

ADVERTISEMENT

So what did Donald Trump do next? In June, just one month later, Trump fired Robert Mueller. Or tried to. Until White House counsel Don McGahn not only refused to fire Mueller, but told Trump he’d resign if Trump went ahead with his plan. At which point, Trump was forced to back down. By the way, how comforting to know there’s at least one person inside the Trump White House with a conscience — and half a brain.

Is that the end of it? No way. Donald Trump’s like a dog with a bone. He’s convinced that the entire investigation is the work of pro-Hillary, anti-Trump FBI agents and that Mueller is personally out to get him. Which is why he discredits the probe nonstop, calling it “fake news” and a “witch hunt,” and why he wouldn’t hesitate to try to fire Mueller again, if he thought he could get away with it — even though the costs of doing so could be fatal.

“It’s pretty clear to me that everybody in the White House knows that it’d be the end of President Trump’s presidency if he fired Mr. Mueller,” Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Will Republicans' rank hypocrisy hinder their rush to replace Ginsburg? Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day MORE (R-S.C.) warned on ABC’s “This Week.” Yes, everybody knows that except Donald Trump.

Which is why Congress must act to create a legal cocoon for the FBI, preventing Trump from firing Mueller and enabling the investigation to continue to its conclusion, whatever that conclusion may find regarding collusion with Russia or obstruction of justice. It’s in the interest of both Republicans and Democrats to do so. Republicans, to save the Trump administration from the constitutional crisis that would result from firing Mueller. Democrats, to uphold the rule of law and get to the truth of Russian meddling in the election.

There are already two bipartisan bills on this issue proposed in the Senate: one by Republican Thom Tillis Thomas (Thom) Roland TillisMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Will Republicans' rank hypocrisy hinder their rush to replace Ginsburg? Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE (N.C.) and Democrat Christopher Coons Christopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsMurkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE (Del.), the other by Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (N.J.). They both have the same goal: to protect Mueller from getting summarily sacked by Trump, especially now that Mueller’s asked to interview the president and the investigation is in its final stages.

Predictably, Trump’s loyal defenders insist there’s no urgency to pass such legislation. “If there’s an issue that arises, we’ll take it up at the time,” argues House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthyTrump asked Chamber of Commerce to reconsider Democratic endorsements: report The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill Trump's sharp words put CDC director on hot seat MORE (R-Calif.). But they’re dead wrong. You don’t wait to buy fire insurance until your house is on fire. The time to protect Robert Mueller is now.



Press is host of “The Bill Press Show” on Free Speech TV and author of “Buyer’s Remorse: How Obama Let Progressives Down.”