President Trump ordered the firing of special counsel Robert Mueller in June 2017 but did not go through with it after White House counsel Donald McGahn refused and threatened to quit, according to a new report.

A New York Times article published Thursday evening reports that Trump claimed Mueller had multiple conflicts of interest. The NYT cited the claim to four sources with knowledge of the incident. (RELATED: It’s A Risk, But Trump Should Meet With Mueller)

The report states:

“First, he claimed that a dispute years ago over fees at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va., had prompted Mr. Mueller, the F.B.I. director at the time, to resign his membership. The president also said Mr. Mueller could not be impartial because he had most recently worked for the law firm that previously represented the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Finally, the president said, Mr. Mueller had been interviewed to return as the F.B.I. director the day before he was appointed special counsel in May.”

However, White House counsel Don McGahn refused to tell the Justice Department to fire Mueller and told other White House officials that he was willing to quit over the matter.

McGahn told other White House officials that firing Mueller would have a “catastrophic effect” on the presidency, according to the NYT report. (RELATED: In ‘Jaw-Dropping’ Text, Peter Strzok Expressed ‘Concern’ About Joining Mueller Team)

The article has already elicited a huge reaction from members of the establishment media:

Take it all together: Trump admits he fired FBI Director over Russia Trump reportedly ordered firing of Special Counsel Mueller, backing off to avoid a Sat Night Massacre Trump reportedly ordered firing of Deputy FBI Director, backing off to avoid a Sat Night Massacre — Ari Melber (@AriMelber) January 26, 2018

This is obscene. Trump has no respect for rule of law. Let the GOP excuses for why this is acceptable begin!!! Trump Ordered Mueller Firing in June, but Top Lawyer Pushed Back https://t.co/tWUDKxS7BY — Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) January 26, 2018

Trump’s attempts at obstruction of justice break new boundaries. https://t.co/ZKsKvwae77 — Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) January 26, 2018

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