The West Wing confrontation marks the first time Trump is known to have tried to fire the special counsel. WASHINGTON — U.S. President Trump ordered the firing last June of Robert Mueller, the special counsel overseeing the Russia investigation, according to four people told of the matter, but ultimately backed down after the White House counsel threatened to resign rather than carry out the directive. McGahn also told White House officials that Trump would not follow through on the dismissal on his own. After receiving the president’s order to fire Mueller, the White House counsel, Donald McGahn, refused to ask the Justice Department to dismiss the special counsel, saying he would quit instead, the people said. McGahn was also concerned that firing the special counsel would incite more questions about whether the White House was trying to obstruct the Russia investigation.

Source: thestar January 26, 2018 01:52 UTC