What Might Happen If Trump Orders Mueller Fired
Why Mueller Is Seen as the Perfect Man for the Job
President Donald Trump says he doesn’t intend to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is overseeing an investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign that has spilled over to Trump’s associates and perhaps the president himself. But not everyone believes him, including activist groups that have made plans for nationwide demonstrations if Trump makes a move on Mueller. A special counsel is granted a level of independence and autonomy, but his position isn’t untouchable.
It’s a lawyer from outside of government named by the U.S. attorney general to take over an investigation that poses a conflict of interest for the Justice Department. The 1999 rule establishing the position says a special counsel should have "a reputation for integrity and impartial decision making" and is supposed to "not be subject to the day-to-day supervision of any official of the department."