Top Dem Warns: Firing Robert Mueller Would Be a 'Red Line'

[DonViejo]

Source: The Daily Beast




Sacking the special counsel or leading DOJ officials “would have immediate and significant consequences,” warned the Senate intel committee’s Mark Warner.

BEN COLLINS
SPENCER ACKERMAN
12.20.17 5:42 PM ET

Mark Warner didn’t use the word “impeachment” in his Senate floor speech on Wednesday. But the Senate intelligence committee’s top Democrat left the implication clear when he argued that a potential firing of special counsel Robert Mueller or the senior leaders of the Justice Department and the pardoning of witnesses needs to be a “red line” for the Senate.

“Congress must make clear to the president that firing the special counsel or interfering with his investigation by issuing pardons of essential witnesses is unacceptable and would have immediate and significant consequences,” Warner said Wednesday, warning that Mueller’s job is in real jeopardy.

Potential efforts by the White House to impede the investigation— which would represent “a gross abuse of power and a flagrant abuse of executive branch responsibilities and authorities,” in Warner’s phrase—need to be treated as “red lines, and [Congress] simply cannot allow them to be crossed.”

Nor did Warner exclusively aim his remarks at his Senate Republican colleagues—indeed, Warner wrapped himself in bipartisanship instead. But there as well, it’s clear they’re his real audience. The soon-to-be 49 Democrats in the chamber are already opposed to firing Mueller, who is investigating the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia. Republicans will face their strongest test of loyalty to Trump yet should Trump move to shut the probe down.



Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/top-dem-warns-firing-robert-mueller-would-be-a-red-line?ref=home

[Orrex]

1. And after Trump crosses they'll REALLY keep their powder dry

That is one hell of a warning!

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. GMTA! look at my response just below yours!

[Orrex]

11. LOL. Sad but true!

[NRaleighLiberal]

13. we've seen this play before, haven't we? not exactly the same...but...

[Irish_Dem]

8. I think a strongly worded letter would do the job, don't you think?

sarcasm thingy....

[NRaleighLiberal]

12. maybe with a picture of a really fierce grimace?

[Irish_Dem]

15. Oh yes Trump for sure would fold like a lawn chair.

And unfire Mueller.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. may that "red line" be more effective than "dry powder" or keeping things "off the table"

[pangaia]

7. It won't be.. repubs won't do a thing...

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. we are becoming the party of impotent threats and fearful inaction

[Plucketeer]

21. No kidding?

And the pitiful few that dare to start to SOUND serious are quick to be shushed. We've had our democracy (what was left of it) taken away by a tyrant (A dumb-ass tyrant at that!) and the best we can muster is to DARE to make imaginary lines in imaginary sand.

[pangaia]

25. I think you agree with me..yes?

I applaud Warner for what he said..... that's for sure..

Some of our guys and gals are fighting as best they can, some no so much... I don't know the answer..

It's like fighting against Stalin....

[NRaleighLiberal]

26. I applaud it, but the time for impressive speeches is long past - because nothing

ever becomes of them - the republicans have been running roughshod over decency since the Dubya years. Our leaders keep powder dry and make speeches - but the Democrats and repubs seem to be playing completely different games.

Sorry - my cynic factor is in overdrive. What a horrible, horrible year this has been.

[pangaia]

27. Thanks. we agree. I wasn;t sure.

[Irish_Dem]

16. The GOP does not want Mueller coming after them.

They hope Trumpwad fires Mueller.
And they will let Trump take the heat for it.
They don't care about what happens to him at this point.
They got their tax swindle through.

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. He knows something we dont, get ready.

Our country is about to cease having a functional constitution and checks and balances and 40% of our citizens are good with that IF it benefits their racism.

[Irish_Dem]

17. That about sums it up. nt

[Irish_Dem]

5. We can't say we have not been warned. But what will be done about it? nt

[Plucketeer]

22. Yes - "nt"

as in NoThing.

[Irish_Dem]

24. Bingo, we have a winner. Nothing will be done.

[EarthFirst]

28. Angry Twitter storm!

That’ll show em!

[Irish_Dem]

29. Yes, very strongly worded, should do the trick.

Trump will unfire Mueller right away.

[EarthFirst]

30. The strongest. n/t

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. Red line, schmed line. Trump knows no limits, ignores all lines.

With all the crap he pulled in the primary and the general campaign seasons, he still won.

He can fire Mueller and still continue to be Trump.

Who's gonna stop him? A Democratic minority in the houses of Congress? A sternly worded speech?

[FailureToCommunicate]

10. Lame sauce. I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll, I'll, I'll...

[guillaumeb]

14. How very impressive.

Yet another line in the sand to ignore.

[SoCalMusicLover]

19. A Red Line By Who?

The repubs?? Not A Chance In Hell.

And what will the Democrats do? Raise their voices at their "FRIENDS" across the aisle? No name calling though, we're a dignified Congress, and can't demean the other side.

As Robin Williams once said...."In England, the police have no guns. So if you commit a crime, they yell 'STOP!! Or I'll Say Stop Again!'"

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

20. No, no it isn't. Sadly this walking talking scrotum will wipe his ass with the constitution and

nothing will happen. At most he will either die in office or even defeated for reelection. But the incoming administration will "Want to look forward for the good of the country". Or some such bullshit. Nobody will pay the price and the next asshole they nominate will make Junior and Orange Cocksplat look good in comparison. Wash, rinse, repeat......

[JDC]

23. I'll give you such a pinch!

What line? We cave on everything.

[rtracey]

31. red line?

HAHAHA there is no red line, Fuckump has the right wing around his little finger, he has money, power (he thinks) and a base of cretin followers who would march the streets like the SS in Berlin. The democrats have ZIP, ZERO, NADA, NOTHING they can do. Stop kiddiing yourselves. You think things are going to change NOPE , not unless we win big in 2018, and even that, with the POS leadership we have, Schumer, Pelosi.... these politicians are not leaders, they are windbags. I hope everyone of them get primaried, and new, stronger leadership gets in, and win some seats back. If we control house and senate, then we control this country, not Fuckump.... The president has very little power in the scheme of things..... and just a reminder, every one of Fuckumps executive orders can be reversed with 1 stroke of a pen.....

[Nitram]

32. Those in this thread who are mocking the red line warning may be completely wrong.

There are a number of powerful actions that Democrats in the Senate can take at this point, such as blocking the budget continuing resolution and shutting the government down. I wouldn't be so quick to discount the seriousness of the threat. Warner knows what's at stake here. Firing Mueller at this point would be a virtual coup. Our democracy is at stake and every Democratic Senator knows that.

[kwalter66]

33. Question is...

Those in this thread mocking Warner didn't say exactly what it was THEY would do. It's easy to sit back, do nothing and only mock.

[Nitram]

34. Exactly. Democrats need that kind of "support" like a hole in the head.