Following the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, many have asked the question of whether the new acting attorney general will interfere in the special investigation into possible Russian collusion in the 2016 presidential election.
One of those pointing attention to the issue is former presidential candidate and Senator Mitt Romney.
Romney took to Twitter to not so subtly tell Sessions replacement that he shouldn’t bother Special Council, Robert Mueller.
“I want to thank Jeff Sessions for his service to our country as Attorney General. Under Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, it is imperative that the important work of the Justice Department continues, and that the Mueller investigation proceeds to its conclusion unimpeded.”
I want to thank Jeff Sessions for his service to our country as Attorney General. Under Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, it is imperative that the important work of the Justice Department continues, and that the Mueller investigation proceeds to its conclusion unimpeded.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) November 7, 2018
This came after a report that circulated by multiple news sources, including CNN, that “New acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker has called Mueller’s appointment ‘ridiculous’ and ‘a little fishy.’”
New acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker has called Mueller's appointment "ridiculous" and "a little fishy" https://t.co/OI9LvKr9dt pic.twitter.com/CpYUbnbk7e
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) November 8, 2018
CNN reported that Whitaker made these comments while speaking on the “Rose Unplugged” radio program in August 2017.
“For whatever reason, Rod Rosenstein determined that the Department of Justice couldn’t handle this in their ordinary course of work, which I think was ridiculous,” Whitaker said about the deputy attorney general.
“An effort by Jim Comey to get this put in place and have somebody that he’s very familiar with in Bob Mueller conducting investigations. So I think it smells a little fishy, but I just hope it doesn’t turn into a fishing expedition, because I will be one of them ones jumping up and down making sure the limitations on this investigation continue because that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
Whitaker added that he believed Rosenstein felt “political pressure” to appoint Mueller, and that he was “certain” the deputy attorney general now regrets the decision.
The Daily Wire’s Ryan Saavedra tweeted, “The Washington Post reports new acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker has no intention of recusing himself from overseeing Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.”
BREAKING: The Washington Post reports new acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker has no intention of recusing himself from overseeing Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) November 8, 2018