Poll: Republicans don’t want Trump to fire Mueller

Nearly three-quarters of Americans, including a majority of Republicans, say President Trump should not fire special counsel Robert Mueller, according to a survey released Thursday.

A Quinnipiac University poll, conducted from April 20-24, found 74 percent of respondents believe Trump should not order the removal of the special counsel. Among Republicans, 59 percent oppose firing Mueller.

However, a majority of voters — 52 percent — say they oppose impeaching Trump even if he fires the special counsel. Some Democratic lawmakers have suggested they would move to start impeachment proceedings in that event.

{mosads}Voters are split nearly evenly over legislation that would offer Mueller protection in the scenario that he is fired. Forty-six percent of voters support the bill, while 44 percent oppose it, according to the poll.

Quinnipiac surveyed 1,193 voters, and the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

The results were published just moments after the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation to protect the special counsel. Four Republicans voted for the bill, for a total vote of 14-7. 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said the bill will not receive a full vote in the Senate, because he does not believe Trump will fire Mueller. Other Republicans have said they believe the protection bill is unconstitutional.

The measure would codify Justice Department rules that say only a Justice official — not the president — has the authority to terminate the special counsel, as well as granting an “expedited review” of such an ouster.

The president has repeatedly claimed Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election is a “witch hunt” and a “hoax,” stoking speculation he may try to fire the special counsel.

However, the White House said as recently as Monday that Trump has “no intention” of doing so.