Trump “Considering Perhaps Terminating” Robert Mueller As Special Counsel: Report

Newsmax CEO and longtime Donald Trump confidante Chris Ruddy on Monday told PBS Newshour anchor Judy Woodruff that the president is “considering perhaps terminating” Robert Mueller as special counsel in the Russia investigation.

“I think he’s considering perhaps terminating the special counsel,” Ruddy said Monday on PBS NewsHour. “I think he’s weighing that option.”

“I personally think it would be a very significant mistake,” Ruddy continued, “even though I don’t think there’s a justification … for a special counsel.”

Chris Ruddy to @JudyWoodruff: President Trump is considering firing special counsel Robert Mueller, who he considered for another position. pic.twitter.com/X4IIHlh8at

— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) June 12, 2017

.@ChrisRuddyNMX tells me Pres Trump is "considering perhaps terminating" Robert Mueller as special counsel @NewsHour

— Judy Woodruff (@JudyWoodruff) June 12, 2017

Ruddy reportedly made the claim to Woodruff following a meeting in the West Wing of the White House.

Just spotted leaving the West Wing: Chris Ruddy, Newsmax CEO, close confidant of @POTUS.

— Kayla Tausche (@kaylatausche) June 12, 2017

Former FBI Director Mueller was assigned by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to “oversee the previously-confirmed FBI investigation of Russian government efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election, and related matters,” on May 17.

UPDATE: The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday warned President Trump that if he fired Bob Mueller, “Congress would immediately re-establish independent counsel and appoint Bob Mueller.”

“If President fired Bob Mueller, Congress would immediately re-establish independent counsel and appoint Bob Mueller. Don’t waste our time.,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) wrote on Twitter minutes after reports surfaced that Trump may be contemplating firing Robert Mueller as special counsel in the Russia investigation.

If President fired Bob Mueller, Congress would immediately re-establish independent counsel and appoint Bob Mueller. Don't waste our time.

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) June 12, 2017