Washington January 10, 2019 – Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today announced her support for legislation introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller from political interference:
“Protecting Special Counsel Mueller and allowing him to complete his investigation without interference is one of my top priorities. I am pleased to again cosponsor legislation to ensure there is no political inference with the investigation, that the Special Counsel could only be fired for just cause, and that ensures Congress and the public have access to the full Mueller report.”
“While Justice Department regulations already ensure the president can’t fire a special counsel, this bipartisan bill sends a clear message that any effort to interfere with independent investigations will not be tolerated. I’m encouraged that Chairman Graham has indicated the bill will move through the Judiciary Committee.”
The bill codifies existing Justice Department regulations that state a special counsel may only be fired for good cause, mandates that only a Senate-confirmed official may fire a special counsel and provides a legal process that would allow a special counsel to be reinstated if improperly terminated.