White House denies Trump wants Mueller out

Rosenstein "may remove a Special Counsel for misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or for other good cause, including violation of Departmental policies", reads the regulation, which directs the deputy attorney general to put in writing the "specific reason" for the firing. That appeared to include Gingrich, who until recently expressed support for Mueller's appointment on the grounds that it would alleviate pressure in the Russian Federation affair.

Trump has made it clear that he is frustrated by the investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election, which USA intelligence officials have said was done to tilt the outcome in Trump's favor.

Gingrich, an informal adviser to the president, also about Mueller on Sunday.

Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined to comment on Ruddy's remarks.

Both Fleischer and Gingrich had previously vouched for the character and integrity of Mueller, who was appointed Federal Bureau of Investigation director by Bush and whose term was extended an extra two years by Democratic President Barack Obama.

"While the president has the right to, he has no intention to do so", Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House deputy press secretary, said in a press briefing aboard Air Force One on Tuesday evening.

The White House dismissed Ruddy's comments - but not by saying Mueller is safe.

"If you want to see the President on a fast track to impeachment, then he should take this advice and fire Mueller", said Illinois Representative Luis Gutiérrez in a speech on the House floor Tuesday. I know the folks who wrote that. The official demanded anonymity because the official was not authorized to be named discussing the deliberations.

Trump supporters have started arguing that following former FBI Director James Comey's testimony before Congress last Thursday, the services of Special Counsel Robert Mueller are no longer needed.

Another talk-radio Trump booster, Laura Ingraham, who was rumoured to have been considered for a White House position, directed her followers to a story in a conservative newspaper that suggests Mueller might be tainted. The interview was first reported by PBS. Read Also: Trump faces new lawsuit over business empireSeveral lawmakers came out in support of Mueller.

But Stephen Gillers, a New York University professor who specializes in legal and judicial ethics, said the Mueller interview with Trump presented "no conflict whatsoever". Still, Gingrich said any special counsel with an agenda can "all of the sudden find something procedural and technical to latch onto". He said there is no cause to consider removal, and that that the Attorney General's office alone would make that decision with the special counsel.

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), a Trump ally, has also accused Mueller of hiring "bad people" for the Russian Federation investigation.

Trump's best play would be to allow Mueller to do his job without interference, and - if Trump is telling the truth - declare the issue is dead for lack of substance. Republicans on the committee should cooperate in defending Bob Mueller, this investigation under the special prosecutor should be bipartisan.