WASHINGTON (AP) – The Latest on probes into possible contacts between Trump campaign associates and Russia (all times local):
7:40 a.m.
The top Democrat on the House Intelligence committee says Congress would not sit still if President Donald Trump decided to fire the special counsel leading the investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. election and possible collusion with Trump’s campaign.
Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, says such a move would “be the last straw” for many in Congress and would have “echoes of Watergate,” when President Richard Nixon dismissed special prosecutor Archibald Cox over Cox’s subpoenas for White House tapes.
Trump’s allies have begun raising questions about special counsel Robert Mueller’s impartiality – he’s a former FBI director who has worked with fired FBI Director James Comey – and floating the idea that Trump might replace him.