Trump lawyer 'not going to speculate' on whether president might fire special counsel

[SunSeeker]

12. Indirectly, yes.

Trump can order Rosenstein to fire Mueller or if Rosenstein recuses himself, Trump can order whoever replaces Rosenstein at DOJ fire Mueller since that person works under Trump.

However, Rosenstein can change the wording of his order appointing Mueller to make him truly independent, i.e. not firable by Rosenstein/Trump. That is what Senator Kamala Harris was trying to get Rosenstein to agree to do when he testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee this week--when she was hushed by Chairman Burr:

Rosenstein's squirreliness in the above exchange made it clear he does not want to make such a change, which is why Harris concluded, "I'll take that as a no."