Trump may fire man in charge of Russian links probe

Christopher Ruddy, the founder of  Newsmax Media and long-time friend of President Donald Trump, told a TV channel on Monday that he believes the president is ''considering perhaps terminating'' Robert S Mueller III, the special counsel investigating possible ties between the president's campaign and Russian officials.

The startling assertion comes as some of Trump's conservative allies, who initially praised Mueller's selection as special counsel, have begun trying to attack his credibility.

Ruddy, who was at the White House on Monday, said on PBS ''NewsHour'' that Trump was ''considering, perhaps, terminating the special counsel''.

The comments come amid increasing frustration at the White House and among Trump supporters that the investigation will overshadow the president's agenda for months to come.

When reached by Fox News after the remarks, Ruddy said, ''While I am not claiming the president said it to me, I am confident of my sourcing. He is definitely considering it as an option.''

Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, said Ruddy ''never spoke to the president regarding this issue. With respect to this subject, only the president or his attorneys are authorized to comment.''

The New York Times reported that to fire Mueller, Trump would have to order Deputy Attorney General Rod J Rosenstein to turn back regulations that protect the special counsel from being fired for no good reason. If Rosenstein refused, Trump could fire Rosenstein.

As Mueller builds his legal team, Trump's allies have begun raising questions about the former Federal Bureau of Investigation director's impartiality, suggesting he cannot be trusted to lead the probe.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, an informal Trump adviser, tweeted Monday, "Republicans are delusional if they think the special counsel is going to be fair. Look who he is hiring."

Just weeks ago, Gingrich had heaped praise on Mueller, hailing him as a "superb choice" for special counsel whose reputation was "impeccable for honesty and integrity".

But after the testimony of former FBI Director James Comey last week, Gingrich said he'd changed his mind.

"Time to rethink," he tweeted Monday, citing Mueller's hiring decisions and Comey's admission that he'd instructed a friend to share with reporters notes he'd taken of his private conversations with Trump in order to force the appointment of special counsel.

The talk about dismissing Mueller appeared to be coming from Trump allies - including some close to White House strategist Steve Bannon - who are increasingly frustrated with the prospect of a long and winding probe.

They say Trump did not collude with Russia and see the investigation as a politically motivated sham that handicaps Trump's ability to execute his agenda, a person who advises the White House on how to handle the probe told Fox News. The person demanded anonymity to discuss strategy on the sensitive matter.

Ruddy appeared to be basing his remarks, at least in part, on comments from Jay Sekulow, a member of Trump's legal team, who told ABC in an interview on Sunday that he was "not going to speculate" on whether Trump might at some point order Rosenstein to fire Mueller.

"Look, the president of the United States, as we all know, is a unitary executive. But the president is going to seek the advice of his counsel and inside the government as well as outside. And I'm not going to speculate on what he will or will not do," Sekulow said. Still, he added, "I can't imagine that that issue is going to arise."

Allies of the president cast doubt on the idea that Trump would take such a drastic step, and White House officials said Ruddy had not met directly with the president while he was there.

Firing Mueller would be a politically explosive move that would raise new questions about Trump, whose abrupt dismissal of  Comey as FBI director generated accusations of obstruction of justice and led to Mueller's appointment.