Reprinted with permission from Shareblue.
Mitch McConnell once again used his position as Senate majority leader to provide cover for Trump, blocking a vote on a bill that would protect the integrity of the Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller.
Instead of protecting the American justice system, McConnell chose to protect his fellow Republican, Trump.
If Mueller were to be fired, the bill McConnell blocked would mandate a 10-day review period allowing a judge to determine if the termination was justified. It would also codify into law current Department of Justice regulations that only a senior DOJ official, and not Trump himself, could fire Mueller.
The legislation has the backing of Democrats and even some Republicans — but McConnell remains insistent on using the power of his Senate majority to protect Trump.
Trump recently installed a crony and yes man, Matthew Whitaker, as acting attorney general after getting rid of Jeff Sessions. This appointment may have been illegal because Whitaker hasn’t been confirmed by the Senate.
And because Whitaker has publicly criticized Mueller and cast doubt on the Russia investigation, it’s widely believed that Trump was trying to undermine Mueller by appointing Whitaker.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) told CNN that he thought McConnell was running interference for Trump.
“I see no other justification for refusing to bring forward such a simple bipartisan bill that takes existing Department of Justice regulations and strengthens them by putting them in statute,” Coons said.
McConnell told reporters on Wednesday he saw “no indication” that Mueller will not be allowed to finish.
But just hours after he said that, Trump went on another one of his Twitter tirades against Mueller. He claimed — without evidence, as usual — that the Mueller investigation is a “total mess” and has found “no collusion.”
Trump also whined in all caps that the investigation is “A TOTAL WITCH HUNT LIKE NO OTHER IN AMERICAN HISTORY!”
The investigation has racked up 20 guilty pleas and convictions, including several prominent members of Trump’s inner circle like his former campaign manager and his former national security adviser.
Trump’s actions and rhetoric show that he is extremely eager to cut off the investigation if he is allowed to.
McConnell seems equally uninterested in doing anything to stop him — which makes McConnell yet another one of Trump’s co-conspirators.
Published with permission of The American Independent.
