Senate Republicans tested on Trump's support after Mueller

Special advocate Robert MuellerRobert Swan MuellerSasse: US should applaud Mueller's choice to lead the investigation on RussiaThis report poses a test for vulnerable Senate Republicans running for office, forcing them to decide the distance between them President TrumpDonald John TrumpImpeachment? Not so fast without missing element of criminal intent The federal government believes that marijuana ties could prevent immigrants from obtaining US citizenship. Trump's approval drops to its lowest level in 2019 after the publication of the Mueller report: MORE poll by 2020.

Mueller has refused to lay charges of conspiracy, unlawful co-ordination or obstruction of justice, but much of his report is a bad answer for the president and reveals that several other federal investigations are yet to be completed.

While Democrats in the House will have to decide how difficult it is to attack Trump following the release of the report and whether to continue a politically charged indictment process, Senate Republicans must determine way to go to defend the president.

"I think Republicans should avoid a victory lap. The bottom line here was: "Were the Russians involved in the Trump campaign?" Beyond that, the president has to defend his own conduct, "said Vin Weber, a GOP strategist." Republicans should talk about something else, like the economy. "

When asked what Republicans should do about Trump's conduct, Weber replied, "It's a difficult question," adding, "I'd probably be a little bit devious in saying that. We all got used to it being a different president. from a different background that behaves differently from previous presidents, and beyond that, it's his problem, not mine. "

Some expect Republicans to wait to see how this much-awaited report plays with their constituents at home during the two-week vacation.

"Are Republicans unhappy privately with some of Trump's actions in the report? Yes of course. But the majority of Republicans are not going to take it to him because he has not been charged with a crime, "said another Republican strategist who demanded that he be killed. ;anonymity.

The strategist said it would be logical for Senate Republicans participating in more competitive races to criticize Trump.

"It would not be wise for them to support the president when there are a lot of moderate voters, but that does not mean that they have to condemn him either," added the strategist.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOld Assistant Bush: The Mueller Report Gives Obama a "Totally Evil" Look 20 Years Ago Columbine, Dems Upbeat on Fir Reform Dem declares that a bill on the banks for marijuana will be put to the vote of the House this spring. (R-Ky.) Remains silent on Mueller's findings since the release of a statement Thursday that he was content to say he was anxious "to reread the report carefully".

The strongest criticisms up to here have been made by Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyHuckabee explodes Romney: "It makes me sick" that you could have been president Collins: Mueller's report includes "unflattering portrayal" of Trump Romney "disgusted" by Trump's behavior in Mueller's report MORE (R-Utah), who is not running for re-election but is trying to position himself as a Republican counterweight to the Senate since taking office in January.

Romney said Friday in a statement that he was "disgusted by the scale and omnipresence of dishonesty and misdirection" detailed in the Mueller report "by personalities occupying the most senior positions. high of the country, including the president. " He also stated that he was "dismayed" by the evidence that Trump's campaign advisers "welcomed Russia's help – including information obtained illegally".

Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsCollins: The Mueller Report includes a "unflattering portrayal" of the Trump GOP senator: "No problem," Mueller testifying of The Hill's Morning Report – The Consequences of Mueller: What Will House Dems Now? MORE (R-Maine), to be re-elected to a state Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonImpeachement? Not so fast without a missing criminal intent Bush's former assistant: the Mueller report gives Obama a "just plain bad" air Seth Rich's brother calls on those pushing the plot to "take responsibility " AFTER won in 2016, told Maine Public Radio on Friday that she was troubled by Trump's multiple attempts to fire Mueller, as noted in the report, calling it "an unflattering representation of the president."

Sen. Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerCain said he would not run away from critics to claim his seat at the Fed. Graham stated that he was "not interested" in what Mueller testified. Cain said that he would not back down. He wants to be named to the Fed More (R-Colo.), Who is also on the ballot in a state that opted for Clinton, sought to focus on Russia rather than on Trump.

"Now that the report is made public, it is time for Congress to move forward and work on behalf of the American people. The report also confirms what we already know, Russia intervened in our election. I will keep the pressure on Putin's regime and apply additional sanctions – they can not go unpunished, "Gardner said in a statement.

Sen. Martha McSallyMartha Elizabeth McSallyTrump nods to GOP senator McSally, vulnerable, with the signing of the bill Senators under scrutiny fill the coffers before 2020 Gallego appointed to the position of president of the national campaign for the candidacy to the presidential election of Swalwell PLUS (R-Arizona), another Democrat goal next year, has not criticized the president since the report was released on Thursday.

Sen. Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones A Senator from PortmanGOP in a jersey paying tribute to Otto Warmbier in front of the Korean DMZ: the Conservative rally behind Moore for the Fed | The White House interviews other candidates | Trump, Dems spar the day of the tax | Budgetary watchdogs deplore the "denial of debt". The Hill & # 39; s Morning Report – Waiting on Mueller: Responses arrive Thursday PLUS (R-Ohio), a member of the Senate External Relations Committee, said in a statement that a "number of actions taken by the president or his associates" were "inappropriate".

But he stressed that there was "no conspiracy or collusion to violate US law between Russia's campaign and Trump" and urged Congress to work on legislation preventing Russia to intervene in the next elections.

Ross K. Baker, a professor of science at Rutgers University, who holds several Senate scholarships, predicted that Republican lawmakers are holding on to mild criticism of Trump to avoid angering his many fans within the GOP base.

"They make a pragmatic decision that people have already decided for Donald Trump and anything they could add by censorship will make no difference and will probably hurt their political fortune," he said. .

Sen. Marco RubioMarco Antonio Rubio: the law on competition would benefit many American workers Booker; Harris missed most of the votes in the Senate. Dems says the Attorney General has undermined Trump's credibility. (R-Fla.), Who quarreled with Trump at the 2016 Republican Presidential Election and who publicly disapproved of some of Trump's policies as president, issued a statement Friday that went beyond driving of the president and aimed at Russia.

Rubio, a member of the Senate's Foreign Relations panel, said he would focus on legislation to deter Russia from future interference. He also criticized the Democrats for viewing the Special Advisor's investigation as a partisan opportunity.

GOP strategists say Democrats are in a tougher stance because Liberal base factions are going to push for impeachment, a tactic that went against Republicans in 1998 after their impeachment. Bill ClintonWilliam (Bill) Jefferson ClintonImpeachment? Not so fast without missing criminal intent, Mueller clearly says: Congress must investigate the obstruction of justice by Trump The Trump team rejects Adam Smith with his commercial stance MORE.

Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy Patricia D'Alesandro PelosiImpeachment? Not so fast without missing criminal intent element 20 years after Columbine, Dems optimistic about Hillicon Valley firearm reform: House Dems house arrest full report Mueller | Justice Department Regrets "Premature" Assignment | Dems rejects the offer to see the report with less editorial | Camp Trump posts ads on Facebook about the Mueller report | Uber gets B for autonomous cars MORE (D-Calif.) Recommended last month not to attempt to dismiss Trump, arguing that it would divide the country and that it "is simply not worth it".

But Democratic leaders are already seeing more and more calls from progressives for a more aggressive approach.

Sen. Elizabeth WarrenThe Elizabeth Ann Warren directory stated that he was "probably the president". The state law will imperfectly expose the legacy of marijuana? Not so fast without an element lacking criminal intent MORE (D-Mass.) Friday became the first Democratic presidential candidate to ask the House to initiate impeachment proceedings against Trump, citing "the severity" of the "fault" of the president, as described in Mueller's report.

This could force Republicans into a harder position than they normally could be to have to vocally defend Trump.

"The Democrats will continue this tirelessly," said Ron Bonjean, a Republican Senate strategist, who predicted a possible backlash.

"They do it at their own peril, because every day that they spend going on, it's a day when they're not working on their own program," he said. "Most Republicans have encircled the cars on the basis of the four pages of Mueller [summary] and I want to go ahead now that everything is out. "

"The challenge is that the Democrats will continue to harass and take on that, but it could move against them," he added.