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His singling out — by name — of top officials throughout his Justice Department raised speculation that he may undertake an historic purge of law enforcement officials, a move that would draw bipartisan condemnation and amplify the stakes of an investigation that is broadening in ways that could imperil the Trump presidency.

The words that the president chose tonight to describe his feelings about that raid definitely raise the stakes

“The words that the president chose tonight to describe his feelings about that raid definitely raise the stakes,” former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Monday night in an interview with Fox News.

Trump’s rhetoric was “escalating the situation” and “I don’t think we’ve heard the last of the president’s feelings on this,” he added.

Mueller, meanwhile, appears to be making strategic moves that could help preserve his investigation even if Trump removes him, according to current and former U.S. officials.

Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

‘A disgrace’

Trump entertained an inquiry about firing Mueller as he spoke to reporters before a meeting with military leaders to discuss the situation in Syria. He repeated the question — “Why don’t I just fire Mueller” — and then said “many people” had advised him to do it. He denounced the special counsel’s team as “the most biased group of people,” describing them as mostly Democrats and politically motivated, and added: “We’re going to have more to say about this.”

“I think it’s a disgrace what’s going on, we’ll see what happens,” Trump said.

The president also turned his ire on the two men who stand between him and a bid to disband the Russia investigation.