Trump, aides ramp up calls for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to end Russia probe

WASHINGTON — President Trump and aides are stepping up their calls for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to end the Russia investigation, even as the president decides whether to testify and a former CIA director says that Russians may "have something" on Trump.

In his latest salvo on Twitter, Trump on Wednesday cited claims by Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz that a special counsel should not have been appointed in the first place.

"There was no probable cause for believing that there was any crime, collusion or otherwise, or obstruction of justice!” Trump tweeted in quoting Dershowitz, a frequent commentator on Fox News.

As critics accused Trump of looking for an excuse to fire Mueller, former CIA director John Brennan said the president may be fearful of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government.

"One can speculate as to why, that the Russians may have something on him personally that they could always roll out and make his life more difficult," Brennan said on MSNBC's Morning Joe.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Brennan worked for President Obama and has been a fierce critic of Trump.

Having avoided using Mueller's name, Trump has called it frequently in recent days to criticize the Russia investigation. So have aides who have become more public about calling on Mueller to conclude the process, at least as it relates to the president, claiming it has distracted him from his duties.

"To pretend like going through this absurd process for over a year would not bring frustration seems a little bit ridiculous," said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders.

More:As Trump attacks Mueller and FBI, critics warn about special counsel dismissal

More:Trump again claims 'witch hunt' in Russia probe by special counsel Robert Mueller

More:Joseph diGenova, high profile Washington lawyer, joins Trump legal team

More:Trump congratulates Putin after Russian president's re-election victory

Trump's critics see another motive for the stepped-up criticism: Laying the groundwork for a firing of Mueller, though the White House denies that is in the offing.

At the very least, some lawmakers said, Trump is seeking to undermine Mueller and his inquiry into possible links between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russians who interfered in the election via email hacks and phony "news" targeting Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

Mueller's team is also investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice, including his 2017 decision to fire then-FBI director James Comey.

"We have in unpredictable president who acts often in irrational ways," said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who ran as a Democrat for president in 2016. Speaking on MSNBC, Sanders said that "we have got to do everything possible to make it clear that if Trump forces Mueller, this is, in fact, an impeachable offense. It is not acceptable."

The new rhetorical campaign against Mueller comes as his office and Trump's lawyers negotiate possible testimony from the president. The talks center on the scope of the questioning and whether Trump can submit written answers to questions.

There is no guarantee Trump will testify at all, as his legal team says it has submitted documentation answering Mueller's inquiries.

In addition to Mueller, Trump has criticized Attorney General Jeff Sessions, other Justice Department officials, and the FBI over various aspects of the Russia probe.

During Wednesday's tweet session, Trump criticized the Justice Department for not urging the Supreme Court to take up an appeal from the state of Arizona in an immigration case.

White House officials, meanwhile, said it is unfair to drag out the Russia investigation.

"I don't think that any individual, including members of Congress, would like it if they had been accused of taking their seat in Congress by doing something nefarious when they hadn't," Sarah Sanders said.

She added: "My guess is they would be more than anxious to push back, and certainly would defend themselves as the president has clearly done in this situation and has since day one."

Follow David Jackson on Twitter: @djusatoday