WASHINGTON _ Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, one of the top Democrats involved in the congressional probes into Russian interference with last year's election, said Wednesday that any attempt by President Donald Trump to interfere with the separate criminal investigation would be a "gross abuse of power."
Warner, who is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, delivered his warning from the Senate floor as Republicans escalate their criticism of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III and his team of prosecutors and FBI agents.
Some Democrats believe Trump is laying the groundwork to fire Mueller even though the president has publicly denied it. Mueller was appointed last May after Trump fired FBI Director James B. Comey.
"In the United States of America, no one, no one is above the law, not even the president," Warner said. "Congress must make clear to the president that firing the special counsel or interfering with his investigation by issuing pardons of essential witnesses is unacceptable and would have immediate and significant consequences."
Some Democrats say the White House may try to effectively short circuit the Mueller investigation by replacing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is the only official empowered to fire Mueller.
Rosenstein recently told Congress that the special counsel is acting "appropriately" and that he would not dismiss Mueller without just cause.
