Carlos Barria/Reuters
President Donald Trump reportedly first floated the idea of firing Robert Mueller, the special counsel who was appointed to oversee the federal investigation into Russian election meddling. According to The New York Times, the appointment of Mueller “enraged” Trump, and he recently began “entertaining the idea of firing” Mueller before his aides stepped in to warn him it would turn out poorly. Deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that “while the president has every right to” dismiss Mueller, “he has no intention to do so.” The Times reports that Trump believed Mueller was part of what he has dubbed a “witch hunt” but “has made no decision to act against” him. On Monday, some of the president’s top allies began suggesting Mueller should be booted from his role.