Thomson Reuters
FILE PHOTO: FBI Director Mueller testifies at a security threat hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington
- Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz is calling for Robert Mueller to resign as special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.
- Gaetz cites lack of charges in the investigation of "Uranium One" under Mueller's watch as the reason.
WASHINGTON - A group of conservative Republican lawmakers introduced a resolution Friday calling for Robert Mueller to recuse himself as special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, along with Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona and Louie Gohmert of Texas, said Mueller should step down because he was FBI director during the investigation of a botched uranium deal between the Russians and Uranium One, a Canadian energy company, of which a portion of the uranium reserves required US approval.
Gaetz's issue is that despite evidence of corruption, Mueller's FBI did not bring any charges, therefore he should recuse himself from the current investigation of potential collusion between Russian officials and President Donald Trump's campaign, which is unrelated to the uranium deal.
"These deeply troubling events took place when Mr. Mueller was the Director of the FBI. As such, his impartiality is hopelessly compromised," Gaetz said in a statement. "He must step down immediately."
However, many of Gaetz's Republican colleagues have expressed full faith in Mueller and his investigation. Senate Republicans have even introduced bills to create a barrier between Trump and Mueller in the event the president attempts to fire him.
Some conservatives have latched on to the Uranium One deal recently in light of a recent report tangentially tying the deal to former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, and her husband Bill, the former president.