Dems race to protect the Mueller probe

Democrats in House fight to protect special advocate Robert MuellerRobert Swan MuellerSasse: The United States should applaud Mueller's choice to lead the investigation into RussiaThe investigation in Russia, and they do not wait for them to assume the majority to do it.

Leader of the minority Nancy PelosiNancy Patricia D & # 39; Alesandro PelosiCollins reiterates her call for legislation to protect the investigation Mueller Swalwell presents her "thought" and "prayer" following the shootings in California Dem strategist says that "many things are going on in the air "with the struggle of the House leaders MORE (D-Calif.) Organized an emergency teleconference Thursday between the Democrats and core members of the investigative committees to discuss President TrumpDonald John Trump – A White House lawyer questioned Whitaker about his intention to join Trump's legal team: report that Flake blames Trump for doubting the vote count in Arizona: no evidence of "electoral corruption" Comey touched on sensitive FBI issues in a personal email: PLUS reportThe decision to dismiss the Attorney General Jeff SessionsJefferson (Jeff) Beauregard The SessionsEx-White House solicitor has questioned Whitaker about his intention to join Trump's legal team: report Flake: Whitaker should not oversee the FBI's investigation on the # 39, Mueller case of the Florida Society. and replace him with a manager who has repeatedly criticized the Mueller probe.

At the call, Democrats considered their next steps and Representative Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.) warned members that they were facing a "crisis moment".

After the call, Nadler, the Democratic Party's highest judicial panel in the House, announced on CNN that Democrats could insist that protections for the investigation of Russia be included in the next bill of government, even if such a request could trigger a cessation of the war if they continued.

"We can demand – and we will – that the bill I introduced protects the independence of the special council, saying that it can only be removed for [due] cause … We can insist that this be a condition of adoption of the remaining legislation to finance the government, "said Nadler.

The GOP appeals for emergency hearings and the acting Attorney General's request to recuse himself have remained unanswered, highlighting a harsh reality for Democrats: they are still in the minority for two months and have little power.

Nevertheless, their efforts clearly indicate that Democrats are preparing to make this issue an investigative priority as early as January.

In an interview with The Hill, Rep. Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffThe Hill's 12:30 Report – Presented by the Project "Counter Extremism" – Trump threatens to get more press references | Said that he did not talk to Whitaker | Thousands named Oaks victims | A man who survived a shooting in Las Vegas was killed in Thousand Oaks | The Hill's Morning Report – 18 – Trump travels to Paris as the controversy between the Attorney General and Schiff intensifies. Schiff: Dems interested in the Eviction Sessions testimony at the next MORE Congress (Calif.), The Democrat likely to lead the House's Intelligence Committee at the next Congress, is already signaling that he wanted to question Sessions about his dismissal.

"On this particular question of knowing what led to his dismissal or what information he might have in terms of obstruction of justice, I think this will be of interest not only to our committee, but also to the Judiciary and Justice Committee. others, "said Schiff.

Democrats are committed to rigorous oversight and accountability to the administration, which they say has not been respected.

"We have seen the Republican majority abdicate its role as auditor of abuse of power and we must start holding people accountable for their actions," a spokesman for the Judicial Committee at The Hill said in a statement about the dismissal. of Trump.

Trump repeatedly reiterated Mueller's investigation as a "witch hunt" and the appointment of Matthew Whitaker as Acting Attorney General again raised fears that he would cancel the investigation.

Trump denied this claim and asked a question on Friday asking if he wanted to limit the search to a "stupid question".

Whitaker talked about cutting funding for Mueller's probe until it could not advance further, among other criticisms.

The appointment of Whitaker represents a scenario on which Democrats have warned: Trump could replace the sessions and, by extension, the Deputy Attorney General. Rod RosensteinRod Jay RosensteinFlake: Whitaker should not oversee Mueller Rosenstein's investigation calls Whitaker a "super" choice to act as AG: Collins report reiterates call for legislation to protect Mueller's investigation MOREwho was watching the case, with a person more determined to prevent it.

Democrats are scrambling for answers.

There is increasing talk of trying to attach language to an inescapable spending bill that would protect the investigation by giving the special advocate an "expedited review" of their dismissal. Under this scenario, if a court decided that the dismissal was not motivated by "good cause", the special advocate would be reinstated.

Government funding for several agencies is exhausted on December 7.

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a similar bill on the protection of Mueller earlier this year, but the Senate majority leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellFlake: Whitaker should not oversee Mueller's investigation into money: Dems marks Trump's tax returns as a key part of agenda | Waters defends planned investigation on Trump's finances after return of gop | Reports: Trump wants to replace Chief of Commerce, Ross, by the end of the year. Collins reiterates its call for the adoption of a law to protect Mueller's investigation MORE (R-Ky.) Refused to submit the bill to a vote, stating that it was not necessary. Speaker Paul RyanPaul Davis RyanPelosi: Firearms control will be "a priority" in the next edition of House On The Money: Waters will soon play an important role in the White House feud | McHenry Announces Offer for Financial Services Member | Fed Maintains Stable Rates in November Congressional Panel Reduces Bipartite Budget Reform Proposal MORE (R-Wis.) Echoed a similar message.

Pelosi spoke about linking Mueller protections to a government funding program in an interview with CNN on Thursday night.

"Chief Schumer and I had, early on, called our counterparts to the management to include [on] our credit bill that says the lawyer can not be fired without just cause, "said Pelosi.

McConnell reiterated Friday his opposition to such a law, deemed unnecessary.

Democrats also sent a flurry of letters this week to Whitaker and the chairman of the Judiciary Committee Bob GoodlatteRobert (Bob) William GoodlatteHouse Dems holds an emergency teleconference on the ousting of Sessions Marijuana was a big winner on Election Day. The Dems called for an "emergency hearing" after the ousting of Sessions, urging AG to recuse itself MORE (R-Va.) Requiring the retention of critical documents and seeking answers about terminations of sessions. They want to know how the reorganization at the highest level of the Justice Department will have an impact on the Special Council's investigation.

They are also increasingly interested in examining the circumstances surrounding Trump's appointment of Whitaker, whom the President recently denied knowing personally.

"We can do many things," Nadler told CNN. "We have already sent letters to many people in the Department of Justice requesting that all relevant documents be kept. The destruction of these documents would be a crime after this notification. "

Across the Capitol, some Democratic senators are considering continuing administration after Whitaker's appointment, although an aide warned them that they were still looking for this idea.

"We are actively considering the possibility of a possible court challenge in this case," said a Democratic assistant. "I would point out that it's definitely still early."

While Democrats warn that it is possible that Whitaker is ordering the premature closure of the investigation in his new supervisory position, it is also possible that Mueller is closing his investigation – an initiative that could intervene before House Democrats take power.

Recent reports indicate that the probe is about to conclude. CNN reported this week that the special council was starting to work on the team's final report based on the findings of the investigation, a decision made while the president was reviewing the written responses he to submit to the special council.

But even if the investigation ends quickly, Democrats – who are eager to use their subpoena powers to investigate Trump's administration next year – promise to keep the question under the spotlight. They plan to consider the matter by holding congressional hearings, requiring relevant records and seeking witness testimony – possibly possibly in camera.

"We certainly need to know if the acting Attorney General, as long as he has held this position, was forced to refuse to challenge," said Schiff, who was seen hiding in the Democratic cloakroom of the House Thursday. even if the Congress is not in session.

"We also need to ensure that none of the information presented to the Attorney General about the investigation is communicated to the President," he said in remarks suggesting that Whitaker could convey information to Trump.

Jordain Carney contributed.