Mueller impanels grand jury

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is warming up to the idea that Congress should insulate special counsel Robert Mueller from President Trump’s influence.

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced legislation on Thursday that would require judicial review for any attempts by the president to fire a special counsel such as Mueller. Under the bill, a panel of three judges would decide whether there was probable cause for Mueller to be fired.

Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) filed separate legislation on Thursday that would allow a special counsel to challenge his or her termination after the fact. The case would be heard by a panel of three federal judges who would decide within 14 days whether there was probable cause for termination.

The senators said on Thursday that they would consider merging their efforts in the coming weeks.

Trump’s attacks on Mueller’s integrity and independence have spurred bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill, where Republicans and Democrats have warned the president that it would be politically toxic if he moves to fire or discredit Mueller. The goal of both pieces of legislation, according to the senators who introduced them, is to codify the backlash that they have so far simply articulated.

“Special Counsel Mueller enjoys wide support in the Senate, and the confidence that both Republicans and Democrats have in him and in his conduct on this independent investigation, and on our level of concern that the president might take some abrupt action in the coming months, I think is reflected in the fact that you’ve seen two bills introduced in as many days,” Coons told reporters.