The stakes are so high that there are some signs Trump might back away from an outright Mueller firing. In fact, the president said as much Sunday night — even though he's gone back on his word dozens of times since becoming president just 11 months ago. Some analysts believe Trump is looking for ways to cripple the Mueller probe without firing Mueller (which would require help from top officials at Justice), such as firing the man that Mueller now reports to, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and then having Rosenstein's replacement clamp down on Mueller. Or he could pardon Flynn, who has already pleaded guilty, with an assumption he has a story to tell about Team Trump and Russia, and others in the administration.