President Trump is at least thinking about firing special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, according to a close confidant of the president's who visited the White House on Monday. Does he actually have the legal power to fire the special counsel, who is leading the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and examining possible coordination by Trump's associates? The Justice Department has detailed regulations covering the powers of a special counsel, how one can be appointed and when one can be fired. Gen. Rod J. Rosenstein serves as acting attorney general for all matters related to the special counsel. If Rosenstein refused, Trump could fire him and move on to find another Justice Department official who would say yes.

Source: Los Angeles Times June 13, 2017 15:12 UTC