He says he is confident that Mueller will have "the full independence he needs" to investigate thoroughly. "I think it's an accurate statement".
Sanders also said that Trump saw part of Atty.
Rosenstein also said that having made political contributions "is not a disqualification" from working for the special counsel leading the Russian Federation investigation.
That would be the only explanation for firing Mueller, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation director who is widely respected by Republicans and Democrats alike. Unless Trump comes up with a clinching reason for firing Mueller that is now hard to fathom, it is hard to see how Rosenstein carries out the the order.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, weighing in Tuesday morning, advised the White House and Trump to let the special counsel's investigation continue, and await vindication.
Gingrich struck a different chord in an interview with CBS' "This Morning" on Tuesday, flatly denying that Trump is considering firing Mueller.
Rosenstein said during the Senate hearings that he would only fire Mueller "for good cause and I am required to put that cause in writing".
Some Republicans have raised questions about Mueller's ability to conduct an impartial and professional investigation pointing, one, to his well-known friendship with Comey, who might be called as a star witness as some stage, and, two, members of his team of lawyers who donated to the Democratic party.
"I think that's the wrong answer right now", he said.
Three men detained after easyJet flight diverted to Cologne
They are being questioned "on the suspicion of the preparation of a serious state-threatening violence", said a statement . The flight was met by armed police when it landed in Cologne, with all 151 passengers put through security checks.
"Special counsel Mueller may be fired only for good cause", Rosenstein said.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from all matters having to do with the Trump-Russia investigation because of his own conversations with Russian officials during the Trump transition.
This followed a weekend of rumors that the president might do so, spurred by Trump's charges that fired FBI Director James Comey was a "leaker" (technically, he wasn't) and by Republicans' charges that Mueller was illegitimately appointed because of the release of Comey's memos and because three members of his team had donated to Democrats in the past.
Rosenstein said he is leaving to Mueller decisions about what the investigation covers. "Is the President now considering firing special prosecutor Robert Mueller who is now overseeing the Russian Federation investigation", speculated ABC Anchor David Muir during World News Tonight. Mr. Trump ignoring shouted questions today. "No, senator, it is not a disqualification", Rosenstein said.
"The Attorney General may remove a Special Counsel for misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or for other good cause, including violation of Departmental policies".
Rosenstein replied "We're not briefing the Oval Office, so I don't know how they would get there".
Top House GOP leaders appeared frustrated at the news conference about the multiple questions about Mueller's probe and what might happen if he were forced out of his position.
The comments come amid increasing frustration at the White House and among Trump supporters that the investigation will overshadow the president's agenda for months to come - a prospect that has Democrats salivating. According to him, "only the President and his attorneys are authorized to comment" on the subject.
Trump's best play would be to allow Mueller to do his job without interference, and - if Trump is telling the truth - declare the issue is dead for lack of substance.
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