McConnell, Ryan defend Mueller in face of Trump attacks But the GOP leaders showed no interest in passing legislation to shield the special counsel from being fired.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday stepped up their defense of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation amid attacks by President Donald Trump, though they stopped well short of calling for legislation to protect Mueller from being fired by the president.

Ryan said Tuesday he's received "assurances" that Mueller will not be dismissed by Trump. And both Ryan and McConnell said they are confident Mueller's probe into Russian election meddling will be carried out to its completion.


McConnell in particular offered a strong defense of Mueller's record and reputation despite Trump's claims that the special counsel's office is filled with partisan Democrats and is a "witch hunt."

"Bob Mueller should be allowed to finish his job. I think it was an excellent appointment. I think he will go wherever the facts lead him and I think he will have great credibility with the American people when he reaches the conclusion of this investigation. So I have a lot of confidence," McConnell told reporters. "This is a thoroughly credible individual, I think it was an appropriate appointment, and we all anticipate his finishing the job and telling the American people what they need to know about this episode."

Democrats seemed momentarily satisfied with the GOP leader's statement after calling on Republicans to do more to protect Mueller. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said McConnell's statement amounted to "a real shot across the bow and I hope the president heeds it."

“I just heard what Sen. McConnell said about Mueller. I want to salute his statesmanship. That was the right thing to do and I certainly hope President Trump is listening," Schumer said. "[Mueller] ought to be allowed to continue his investigation unimpeded. And I think the president would create havoc, disaster, constitutional crisis in this country if he were to do otherwise."

Despite calls from congressional leaders for the White House not to interfere with Mueller's probe, Trump ordered the firing of the special counsel last year but backed off after encountering resistance from the White House counsel, a person familiar with the matter told POLITICO in January.

Ryan said that he has "received assurances that [Mueller‘s] firing is not even under consideration," though the speaker did not specify who had assured him that Mueller's standing was safe.

He also told reporters Mueller should “absolutely” be allowed to follow his investigation to its completion without interference, adding, “I am confident he will be able to do that.”

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Trump derided reports he ordered Mueller fired as fake news." White House officials have publicly denied Trump has considered firing Mueller.

Democrats have been pushing the GOP to pass legislation that would protect Mueller should the president move to oust him, but Republicans have resisted. McConnell said "there's a widespread feeling" that Trump will not fire Mueller.

“I just don’t think it’s necessary. I don’t think Bob Mueller is going anywhere," McConnell said of legislation to protect him.

The president over the weekend for the first time singled out Mueller's team by name in criticizing the Russia investigation. "The Mueller probe should never have been started in that there was no collusion and there was no crime," Trump tweeted Saturday.

Since the special counsel was appointed last year, Trump has repeatedly denounced the Russia probe, which he has labeled a "witch hunt," without specifically targeting Mueller.

The GOP leaders' comments come as the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race and potential ties to the Trump campaign has come closer to the president's inner circle.

In recent weeks Mueller's team of prosecutors subpoenaed the Trump Organization seeking documents related to Russia and marking the first time the special counsel has demanded records directly pertaining to the president's businesses.