Former U.S. attorney Preet Bharara tore into President Trump on Thursday for refusing to rule out firing special counsel Robert Mueller, saying such a move would destroy the rule of law in the U.S.

Trump, in an interview with The New York Times on Wednesday, did not say that he would order the Justice Department to fire Mueller or under what circumstances he would fire him, but indicated Mueller investigating his family's finances is beyond the scope of the probe into ties between his administration and Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election.

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“I think that’s a violation. Look, this is about Russia,” Trump told the Times. Mueller is leading the federal investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

Bharara, who was fired by Trump, warned that the White House would subject Mueller to "obscene & horses--- character assassination" if he was fired and questioned what steps would be taken next.

“If Mueller is fired, will an independent U.S. Attorney somewhere continue some or all of the Office of Special Counsel's investigations?” Bharara tweeted.

"If Mueller is fired, then does rule of law matter at all anymore or only personal loyalty, public flattery and private gain?"

Final: If Mueller is fired, then does rule of law matter at all anymore or only personal loyalty, public flattery and private gain? MAGA? — Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) July 21, 2017

If Mueller is fired, how quickly will President Erdogan of Turkey congratulate @realDonaldTrump with "Well done, young grasshopper"? — Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) July 21, 2017

If Mueller is fired, do Trump & allies realize he will forever appear guilty of a crime even if the Special Counsel may not have found one? — Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) July 21, 2017

If Mueller is fired, will an independent U.S. Attorney somewhere continue some or all of the Office of Special Counsel's investigations? — Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) July 21, 2017

If Mueller is fired, how much obscene & horseshit character assassination will Trump & allies level against this honored military vet? 3/X https://t.co/1WKSffFGic — Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) July 21, 2017

Reports emerged last month that Trump was considering firing Mueller, drawing criticism from lawmakers of both parties. The White House pushed back against those reports, saying Trump had “no intention” of firing the special counsel.

Trump had publicly asked Bharara to stay on as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York shortly after Election Day but fired him after he refused to resign when asked by Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsGOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status MORE.