Multiple presidential aides expect President Trump will continue to more aggressively attack Robert Mueller following his first ever tweet to mention the Justice Department special counsel by name on Sunday.



Why does the Mueller team have 13 hardened Democrats, some big Crooked Hillary supporters, and Zero Republicans? Another Dem recently added...does anyone think this is fair? And yet, there is NO COLLUSION! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2018

Those close to the president told the Daily Beast that Trump is determined to more directly confront the probe into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to interfere with the 2016 presidential elections, and that his Sunday tweet was the first warning shot.

Sources who speak often with Trump said they have seen the president express more frequent annoyance with Mueller and his investigative team regarding the probe. In the tweet directly using Mueller’s name, Trump questioned why the investigation included so many Democrats and no Republicans, Mueller himself is a Republican who was originally appointed by President George W. Bush.

But Trump aides say the expectation of a more aggressive approach by the president makes them nervous.

"There's nothing unusual about sending signals, but I think because of the highly charged nature of the situation… [He should] make sure his lawyers know what he’s up to," former Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., told the Daily Beast.

"It's an area full of landmines, so tread carefully," he added.