Rep. Charlie Dent Charles (Charlie) Wieder DentRepublican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden Biden picks up endorsements from nearly 100 Republicans Bush endorsing Biden? Don't hold your breath MORE (R-Pa.) said Monday that President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE “would set off a political crisis” should he move to fire 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.

"It would be a self-destructive act to do that and it would set off a political crisis if he were to fire Mueller,” Dent told CNN’s “New Day.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Dent’s comments come as Republicans in the Senate have moved toward considering legislation to protect Mueller. It's far from sure that bill will pass the Senate, however, let alone the House.

Dent, who is retiring at the end of this Congress, said Trump was “a factor” in his decision.

He has introduced a House bill to protect Mueller that is a companion to the legislation that Sens. Thom Tillis Thomas (Thom) Roland TillisThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting OVERNIGHT ENERGY: EPA head questions connection of climate change to natural disasters | Pebble Mine executives eye future expansion in recorded conversations | EPA questions science linking widely used pesticide to brain damage in children Liberal super PAC launches ads targeting vulnerable GOP senators over SCOTUS fight MORE (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSenate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report The Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot MORE (R-S.C.), Christopher Coons Christopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsMurkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE (D-Del.) and 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.) unveiled in the upper chamber.

"I do believe that we need to protect the special prosecutor. It would be a terrible mistake for the president to fire him,” Dent told CNN. “It would be bad for the president. It would be bad for Republicans in Congress in the midterms. And most of all, it would be bad for the American people.”

The White House said last week that Trump believes he has the power to fire Mueller, who is leading the probe into Russia's election meddling and any potential ties between Trump campaign staff members and the Kremlin.