Sen. 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 (D-N.J.) on Friday said 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 believes he does not have to operate within the bounds of the law.

In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Booker said that Trump has "authoritarian tendencies" that "destroy the norms of our democracy," and that the president's behavior — particularly toward federal law enforcement officials — is being closely examined by 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.

"We have a very serious situation with this president that ultimately, I think, is unchecked right now and doesn't see himself as being subject to the rule of law," Booker said.

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Booker's remarks came after The New York Times reported this week that Trump sought to fire Mueller in June, shortly after he was appointed, but that he ultimately backed away from the move after White House counsel Don McGahn threatened to resign.

The account reported by the Times is the first known instance of Trump actually trying to fire the special counsel, who was appointed last May to lead the criminal investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 election and possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

Mueller's team, however, was also given broad authorization to investigate any potential wrongdoings that might emerge from the Russia investigation, potentially including whether Trump sought to obstruct justice.

Trump has repeatedly denied allegations that his campaign conspired with Russia to sway the 2016 election, and has called Mueller's investigation a "witch hunt." He has also questioned the objectivity and fairness of the FBI, suggesting that its agents, particularly those on Mueller's team, may be biased against him.