WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-author of the bipartisan Special Counsel Integrity Act, released the following statement regarding legislative efforts to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller and future Special Counsels from being removed without cause. 

“I understand that many of my colleagues don’t believe that President Trump will fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller without cause, and some have cited that as their reason for not backing the legislation I’ve introduced with Senator Tillis or the similar legislation written by Senators Booker and Graham,” said Senator Coons.  “Unfortunately, the statements and actions from the President and his lawyer over the weekend have led me to believe that the Special Counsel is now at real, immediate risk of being removed, and I believe the Senate needs to pass legislation to ensure that does not happen.  The improper removal of the Special Counsel is not in anyone’s interest, and the American people deserve nothing less than a full, objective report from the Special Counsel on his findings, no matter what those findings are.  

“Over the next week, before the Senate breaks for two weeks, I plan to speak individually with as many of my colleagues as possible to build support for this effort so we can move ahead.”

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