Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) ripped Robert Mueller on Thursday night, telling Fox's Sean Hannity that the special counsel in the Russia investigation represents “the deep state at its very worst.”

The Gingrich commentary came hours after The Wall Street Journal reported that Mueller had empaneled a grand jury.

“The Mueller threat has probably been the most deadly. He has the power of the law, he has the ability to indict people, the ability to negotiate and let some people off if they’ll testify against other people,” said Gingrich, also a Fox News contributor.





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“I regard the Mueller example as the deep state at its very worst, and it worries me. It fits the whole case that we’ve seen the Justice Department at times being out of control,” he continued.“[Trump is] making progress every week, he’s getting things done. He’s beginning to move toward a tax cut bill that will be historic. He’s gotten more judges approved than Obama had at this point, Obama and a Democratic Congress. Despite everything, I think the Trump system is beginning to work.”

Gingrich wildly praised Mueller earlier this year after his appointment as special counsel, calling him a “superb choice” with an “impeccable” reputation for honesty and integrity.

Robert Mueller is superb choice to be special counsel. His reputation is impeccable for honesty and integrity. Media should now calm down — Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) May 18, 2017

Legal experts say the decision to impanel a grand jury is fairly typical in these cases, and President Trump's lawyer, Ty Cobb, said his team will fully cooperate.



“The White House favors anything that accelerates the conclusion of his work fairly,” Cobb said in a statement. “The White House is committed to fully cooperating with Mr. Mueller.”