Florida Congressman Looks to Shut Down Mueller Probe

Florida Congressman Looks to Shut Down Mueller Probe

U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-FL, wants Congress to cut off funding for Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of the Trump campaign’s possible involvement in Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Here’s the bad idea of the day, the week, and quite possibly the year.

U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-FL, wants Congress to cut off funding for Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of the Trump campaign’s possible involvement in Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

DeSantis has introduced an amendment to a federal spending package that the House is expected to consider when it reconvenes next week; the proposal would terminate funding for the investigation six months after its approval and would order Mueller not to look into “matters occurring before June 2015,” when Trump launched his campaign.

Mueller, a former FBI director, has assembled an experienced staff of investigators and empaneled a grand jury in Washington to hear evidence on Russia’s election-related activity. Published reports indicate the investigation has expanded to include business done in Russia by the president’s real estate companies as well as the Trump campaign’s possible collusion with the Russian government’s interference in the election.

Other members of Congress are pushing legislation that would block the president from firing Mueller and would prohibit Justice Department leaders from interfering in the investigation. House Speaker Paul Ryan, whose assent probably would be necessary to get DeSantis’ proposal to the House floor, said in June that “the best advice is to let Robert Mueller do his job.”

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a top adviser to Trump during the campaign, has recused himself from the investigation; Sessions’ deputy, Rod Rosenstein, has pledged to protect Mueller’s independence.

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