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In reply to the discussion: Trump warns Mueller against investigating his family's finances beyond Russia probe [View all]Juliusseizure
(562 posts)Rosenstein would have to fire Mueller. He won't. He appointed him.
Trump won't commit a Saturday Night Massacre by firing Rosenstein. Very bad idea.
But he'll try limiting scope.
Rosenstein frustrated senators by refusing to answer questions on the scope of the investigation, but his appointment letter didn't allow investigating all possible crimes - just those limited to Russian collusion or "arising out of it." Would that include money laundering unrelated to collusion with Russia?
If Mueller found crimes unrelated to the scope, he'd have to ask Rosenstein for permission.
To prevent that, and to fire Mueller, Trump could fire Sessions and the replacement take over Rosenstein's duties. A replacement quietly loyal to Trump could then make up an excuse to replace Mueller with a Trump loyalist after a long delay - he went beyond the scope of investigation or conflict of interest with Comey. It would be a risky fascist move.
But Trump may be shitting in his pants and can't handle loss of control.