How long until Trump fires Robert Mueller?

[SnowLabrador]

I think it'll be pretty soon.

[Progressive Pessimist]

I'm honestly surprised that he hasn't already. He will probably fire Rosenstein first.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

If at all possible, his advisors will try to get him to wait until after the midterms.

[Stranger in a strange land]

He can't: he would have to fire Rosenstein (and probably Sessions as well), which is possibly the one thing he could do that would sent in motion a chain of events that would result in his removal from office.

[Torie]

If Trump fires Mueller now (he will have to find somebody to fire him ala what Nixon did), it will probably lead to his impeachment, and many Senate Pubs would be hard pressed not to vote for a conviction. I say this, because in my mind such an act would be an obstruction of justice at this point, and clearly related to the discharge of his duties as POTUS. Anyway, if I were in Congress in this circumstance, I would vote to impeach and convict depending on which body I were in.

I am beginning to think that Trump will go down as the worst POTUS in history. Yes, in my mind, he really is that bad.

[Sir Mohamed]

I'm not sure Trump really does that. He would have to fire Sessions and Rosenstein at first and then instruct the next dude in line to fire Mueller. Or he installs some lapdog as new AG via recess appointment.

If Trump tries to shut the investigation down by using presidential powers in the final weeks before the midterms he's either extremely stupid or just wants a Dem House, which would be no less stupid  because Dems can begin investigating him and demand tax returns.

[here2view]

If Trump fires Mueller now (he will have to find somebody to fire him ala what Nixon did), it will probably lead to his impeachment, and many Senate Pubs would be hard pressed not to vote for a conviction. I say this, because in my mind such an act would be an obstruction of justice at this point, and clearly related to the discharge of his duties as POTUS. Anyway, if I were in Congress in this circumstance, I would vote to impeach and convict depending on which body I were in.

I am beginning to think that Trump will go down as the worst POTUS in history. Yes, in my mind, he really is that bad.

[Hammy]

He can't: he would have to fire Rosenstein (and probably Sessions as well), which is possibly the one thing he could do that would sent in motion a chain of events that would result in his removal from office.

Nothing short of switching parties and supporting Dem policies would get him removed as any impeachment (even in a Dem congress) would still likely need some amount of GOP votes.

[IceSpear]

He can't: he would have to fire Rosenstein (and probably Sessions as well), which is possibly the one thing he could do that would sent in motion a chain of events that would result in his removal from office.

Nothing short of switching parties and supporting Dem policies would get him removed as any impeachment (even in a Dem congress) would still likely need some amount of GOP votes.

This. Congressional Republicans and the people that pass for adults in the room in the Trump administration are likely holding the possibility of impeachment over his head to stop him from firing Mueller and potentially hurting the Republicans in the midterms, but how many of them do you think will actually fall on their sword and end their political career for the sake of the country and their morals by voting for impeachment? Consider how they've acted so far before you actually answer this question.

Impeachment is not going to happen.

[pbrower2a]

If there is to be any impeachment it will by people in military uniforms. Coup, that is.

Impeachment will not be possible unless the President is re-elected and facing at least 60 Democratic Senators, which means that he would be defeated anyway.

[Mike Thick]

I think it's more likely that he just tries to cast doubt on whatever Mueller's report ultimately shows, similarly to what he's doing now.

If the report does show that he colluded with Russia, every Republican Senator and Congressman is going to get a call from John Kelly explaining that, if they vote for impeachment, they will never see another general election ballot for as long as they live. Impeachment only happens when the threat Republicans face in general elections exceeds the threat they face in primaries (or if Trump's base abandons him for some reason).

[Pandaguineapig]

I don't think he will, this seems like another bad cycle that will be forgotten in a couple months, just like a couple months ago when the same idiots claimed that the children at the border would end his presidency. Unless anything concrete emerges regarding collusion (I have a feeling that if Cohen had anything he would have shown it by now) there's a good chance this will be out of the news cycle in a few weeks. Firing Mueller would only seek to strengthen the bizarre messiah complex many on the left have towards him

[Slander and/or Libel]

I think he'll probably do it as indictments and guilty pleas close in, maybe after the election. At which point Paul Ryan will say he hasn't heard about it because he doesn't read the news, Jeff Flake will issue a very concerned tweet, and Brett Kavanaugh will author a 5-4 decision arguing that the Founders really did intend America to have a King.

[GeorgiaModerate]

I don't think he will, this seems like another bad cycle that will be forgotten in a couple months, just like a couple months ago when the same idiots claimed that the children at the border would end his presidency. Unless anything concrete emerges regarding collusion (I have a feeling that if Cohen had anything he would have shown it by now) there's a good chance this will be out of the news cycle in a few weeks. Firing Mueller would only seek to strengthen the bizarre messiah complex many on the left have towards him

If there's a Messiah complex around anyone in this investigation, it's Trump, not Mueller.  Most of us just view Mueller as a dedicated public servant known for his ability and integrity as FBI Director.   This view used to be shared by some on the right until it became inconvenient, for example:

https://twitter.com/newtgingrich/status/864998445244743684

[pbrower2a]

I don't know whether such would precipitate a military coup, but that is not worth the risk for President Trump or the GOP.

In view of the exposures of criminal behavior by the President and his immediate associates and subordinates, a Seven Days in May scenario is becoming much more of a possibility. It is more likely now due to the plea bargain of Michael Cohen.

[หมูเด้ง]

I think he'll probably do it as indictments and guilty pleas close in, maybe after the election. At which point Paul Ryan will say he hasn't heard about it because he doesn't read the news, Jeff Flake will issue a very concerned tweet, and Brett Kavanaugh will author a 5-4 decision arguing that the Founders really did intend America to have a King.

More of an Emperor. Even the KoE was subject to the law.
But to be sure- November 7, 2018.

[Badger]

I think he'll probably do it as indictments and guilty pleas close in, maybe after the election. At which point Paul Ryan will say he hasn't heard about it because he doesn't read the news, Jeff Flake will issue a very concerned tweet, and Brett Kavanaugh will author a 5-4 decision arguing that the Founders really did intend America to have a King.

More of an Emperor. Even the KoE was subject to the law.
But to be sure- November 7, 2018.

This would be my second guess, but even I doubt it. The chances are very strong the Democrats will control the house, and at least likely the Senate as well, IMHO. At that point firing Mueller is not much help to Trump as the Democratic Congress can at that point not only conduct their own investigations, but likely reappoint/otherwise protect Mueller and his team. Even Trump probably would get talked out of taking such a huge political hit that would accomplish a little more than closing down Mueller's investigation only for the short lame duck Congressional session.

If somehow against the odds Republicans maintain control of Congress, though, Mueller will be gone within a week after election day.

[elcorazon]

If Trump fires Mueller now (he will have to find somebody to fire him ala what Nixon did), it will probably lead to his impeachment, and many Senate Pubs would be hard pressed not to vote for a conviction. I say this, because in my mind such an act would be an obstruction of justice at this point, and clearly related to the discharge of his duties as POTUS. Anyway, if I were in Congress in this circumstance, I would vote to impeach and convict depending on which body I were in.

I am beginning to think that Trump will go down as the worst POTUS in history. Yes, in my mind, he really is that bad.

what took you so long? That's been clear to me for about a year and a half.

[Donald Trump’s Toupée]

If Trump fires Mueller now (he will have to find somebody to fire him ala what Nixon did), it will probably lead to his impeachment, and many Senate Pubs would be hard pressed not to vote for a conviction. I say this, because in my mind such an act would be an obstruction of justice at this point, and clearly related to the discharge of his duties as POTUS. Anyway, if I were in Congress in this circumstance, I would vote to impeach and convict depending on which body I were in.

I am beginning to think that Trump will go down as the worst POTUS in history. Yes, in my mind, he really is that bad.

what took you so long? That's been clear to me for about a year and a half.

Yeah, yeah, I heard the same refrain for 8 years of GWB. It’s grown old.

[Peanut]

If Trump fires Mueller now (he will have to find somebody to fire him ala what Nixon did), it will probably lead to his impeachment, and many Senate Pubs would be hard pressed not to vote for a conviction. I say this, because in my mind such an act would be an obstruction of justice at this point, and clearly related to the discharge of his duties as POTUS. Anyway, if I were in Congress in this circumstance, I would vote to impeach and convict depending on which body I were in.

I am beginning to think that Trump will go down as the worst POTUS in history. Yes, in my mind, he really is that bad.

what took you so long? That's been clear to me for about a year and a half.

Yeah, yeah, I heard the same refrain for 8 years of GWB. It’s grown old.

Trump makes Dubya look like George goshdarn Washington

[Mr.Bakari-Sellers]

Trump makes Dubya look like George goshdarn Washington
[/quote]

They are both the same. The last three GOP presidents, will be remembered scandaled plagued president. HW Bush with Clarence Thomas, Dubya with the Great Recession and now Trump, with Kremlin scandal.

[tmthforu94]

Soon, he should have done it a long time ago.

[Panda Express]

Soon, he should have done it a long time ago.

Why?

[libertpaulian]

Soon, he should have done it a long time ago.

Never took you for an enabler of political corruption.  I'm quite disappointed.

[Virginiá]

This would be my second guess, but even I doubt it. The chances are very strong the Democrats will control the house, and at least likely the Senate as well, IMHO. At that point firing Mueller is not much help to Trump as the Democratic Congress can at that point not only conduct their own investigations, but likely reappoint/otherwise protect Mueller and his team. Even Trump probably would get talked out of taking such a huge political hit that would accomplish a little more than closing down Mueller's investigation only for the short lame duck Congressional session.

If somehow against the odds Republicans maintain control of Congress, though, Mueller will be gone within a week after election day.

It's been reported recently that Senate Republicans are conveying to Trump that he may fire Sessions after the midterms, but not before, as firing him will only imperil Kavanaugh's confirmation and possibly cause more losses for Republicans up and downballot. Up to this point, Republicans have said they wouldn't confirm a replacement. If they do it after the midterm, a new AG can cripple the investigation or shut it down outright.

Crappy thing is that even if they lose the Senate this November, Republicans can still confirm a new AG before they lose control. The best Democrats could hope to do is to win a House/Senate majority and then tell Trump point blank that if he fires Sessions or in any way tries to cripple the investigation, that they will move to impeach him immediately. Even if that fails, they can still make his life a living hell and utilize threats that may happen anyway, such as his tax returns, or threatening a total blockade of executive/judicial nominations (judicial confirmations will probably be shut down anyway), and other major Congressional investigations.