Republican on Trump lawyer: A ‘typical attorney’ would call for end of Mueller probe

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) on Sunday dismissed concerns that President Trump is trying to shut down special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia.

Concerns were raised on Saturday when Trump’s personal attorney called on Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to “bring an end” to the probe, following the lead of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who fired FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe the previous day.

Rosenstein appointed Mueller as special counsel, and could fire him.

Lankford said John Dowd, Trump’s attorney, was just being a “typical attorney.”

“What I read yesterday was what a typical attorney puts out at every stage during every investigation saying this is wrapped up, we should be done,” Lankford said on ABC’s “This Week.”

{mosads}

Lankford, who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee that is also currently investigating Russia’s election interference, said that Dowd’s comments won’t affect the special counsel’s investigation. 

“So it’s not different than what an attorney does typically,” Lankford said. “What typically happens in that situation, everyone takes the information of the attorney and says that’s nice, we’re going to continue to be able to move on. I expect the special counsel to do the same.”

Lankford also said that he does not believe the president will fire Mueller and that the administration wants him to be able to finish his investigation.