- A small group of Republicans want Robert Mueller to step down from his role as special counsel in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The GOP lawmakers have already introduced a resolution to call for his recusal. Reps. Gaetz, Biggs, Gohmert, and Jordan will take the House floor to amplify their calls Tuesday evening.
WASHINGTON – A group of Republicans will take the House floor Tuesday evening to call for the recusal of Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Louie Gohmert of Texas, and Jim Jordan of Ohio will use the House floor as a platform to raise awareness on the resolution they introduced last week, which claims Mueller’s impartiality is compromised because of a separate investigation of Russian nationals during his tenure as FBI director.
Gaetz and his colleagues who signed on to the resolution say that because Mueller did not file charges in the investigation of the sale of Uranium One, a Canadian energy company that held some operations in the US, to a Russian nuclear energy firm, he should not be overseeing the investigation of Russian interference in the election. Charges were ultimately filed against several individuals when James Comey succeeded Mueller as FBI director. Some on the right have tied the deal to Hillary Clinton, who was secretary of state when it went through.
In addition to Mueller’s recusal, Gaetz wants further investigation of the Uranium One deal, including the appointment of a new special counsel. But Gaetz told Business Insider in an interview Tuesday that it is unclear who could even mount an investigation.
"I'm a member of the Judiciary Committee and I cannot tell you who has jurisdiction or authority right now to do a Uranium One investigation," Gaetz said. "When I asked the Attorney General, he said that any issues regarding Uranium One fell under his recusal and he departed the room when I was insisting that a special counsel be appointed."
Gaetz said he spoke to Attorney General Jeff Sessions in September, and has since given notice to the White House, but has yet to hear back.
The Uranium One deal, which some Republicans and pundits have been pushing as a major scandal, has gained very little traction outside of the far-right echo chamber. Picking apart the Uranium One deal has been a regular staple on Fox News' primetime lineup and has received attention from President Donald Trump as of late.
"Uranium deal to Russia, with Clinton help and Obama Administration knowledge, is the biggest story that Fake Media doesn't want to follow!" Trump wrote on Twitter in October.
As for Mueller, many prominent Republicans have expressed confidence in his impartiality. A bipartisan group of senators have even pushed to put protections in place in the event Trump attempts to oust him.
And House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Fox News Sunday, "We need to let these career professionals do their jobs, see it through."
"So, no, I don't think he should be stepping down, and I don't think he should be fired," Ryan said. "And the President has made it clear, he's not going to do that."
Nevertheless, Gaetz and the team of Republicans are pressing forward.
"I think I've got a challenge ahead to educate my colleagues on the depth of Mr. Mueller's conflicts of interest," Gaetz said.