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Sen. Warner cautions Trump against meddling in Mueller probe

Sen. Warner cautions Trump against meddling in Mueller probe
Posted at 3:46 PM, Dec 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-20 17:46:55-05

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee is warning President Donald Trump against firing special counsel Robert Mueller or pardoning any targets of the federal probe into Russia and the president's Republican campaign.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said Wednesday that growing criticism of Mueller's probe pointed to an effort to lay the groundwork for Mueller's removal or other interference in the federal investigation. Warner says any attempt to remove Mueller would provoke a "constitutional crisis."

Trump said recently that he would not try to push Mueller out, and a White House lawyer has repeatedly said the president is not considering any pardons.

Trump cannot directly fire Mueller, but critics say he could demand that top Justice Department officials fire Mueller and then remove them if they don't follow through.