Schumer To Trump: Firing Rosenstein Would Create Same Constitutional Crisis As Firing Mueller

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today urged colleagues to pass legislation to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Below are the remarks from the weekly Senate Democrats’ press avail:

“I want to thank my colleagues Senators Whitehouse, Coons, and Hirono for joining me – all members of the Judiciary Committee. Now, for months, we’ve heard our Republican colleagues say there’s no reason to pass legislation to protect Special Counsel Mueller, and the Russian probe from President Trump. They relied on anonymous White House officials, who’ve assured them that there was no effort to undermine or get rid of the special counsel, so there was no need to pass legislation to protect him. Well, with a few words last night, President Trump made it frighteningly clear that he may be considering firing Special Counsel Mueller.

“Our Republican colleagues must not continue ignoring the elephant in the room. We Democrats are urging our Republican colleagues to work with us now – pass legislation to protect this investigation, and head off a constitutional crisis that would be devastating to this country. Let’s not wait until it’s too late. I heard what Leader McConnell said. Why not pass this legislation now, and avoid a constitutional crisis? That makes eminent sense if you believe what so many of our Republican colleagues have said, that it would be a constitutional crisis if Mueller were fired.

“Let’s not wait until it’s too late. Let’s take the threat of a crisis off the table right now. The rule of law cannot be – should not be turned into a partisan issue. The Congress must speak clearly, loudly with one voice by passing legislation to ensure that any effort by the president to remove Director Mueller, or Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein would be unsuccessful. I plead with Senator McConnell. Support this legislation. Put it on the floor. Now. Let’s debate it; let’s pass it. Let’s do so before, before the president creates a constitutional crisis, which looks more and more like a possibility.

“I’d also like to make one final point. A number of news reports in the last several hours have described Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein’s role in everything that has transpired over the last 24 hours. I’d like to make something crystal clear to the president. Mr. President, any attempt to remove Rod Rosenstein will create the exact same constitutional crisis as if you fired Special Counsel Mueller. Don’t do it, do not go down this path. For the sake of our country, we plead with you. Don’t put this country through a constitutional crisis. Whether by firing Mueller, Rosenstein, or otherwise impeding this investigation from going forward. The rule of law is paramount in this country. No man, not even the president is above it.”

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