Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona announced his plan to save special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona announced his plan to save special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible cooperation by members of President Trump's campaign team.
Flake tweeted: "When the Senate convenes next week, Chris Coons and I will ask for unanimous consent to bring S.2644, the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act, to a vote on the Senate floor. After the firing of The AG, it is more important than ever to protect the Special Counsel." The move comes after the president named now-former Attorney General Jeff Sessions' chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, as the acting attorney general. That decision has been criticized by many and for a number of reasons. The Hill reports that there have been concerns about the deviation from the normal line of succession, which would have put Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein at the helm, and questions about Whitaker's qualifications. Many have also pointed to Whitaker's previous criticism of the Mueller investigation.
"Now Mr. Whitaker will oversee Mr. Mueller's investigation, prompting concerns that he could move swiftly to shut it down or hobble it," reports the New York Times.
