Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) only has a few weeks left in office, but he’s still trying to make a big statement. Flake declined to run for reelection in Arizona this year, owing to a lack of support from President Donald Trump. The senator and president have long been at odds on a huge range of issues.
Now, Flake is demanding that legislation to protect special counsel Robert Mueller be brought to vote. Lacking that, Flake claims that he will refuse to support the president’s judicial nominations. The move comes after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declined the request for a vote.
Importantly, Flake sits on the Judiciary Committee, where Republicans hold an exceedingly narrow 11-10 majority. There are 21 nominees who are waiting for a committee vote, and another 32 who are waiting for a floor vote.
Speaking on the issue, Flake argued: “We have been told that the bill that Sen. Coons and I will move to bring up shortly is not necessary, as there have been no indications that the independence of Mr. Mueller’s investigation is in jeopardy. That may have been an arguable position before last week. But it is not arguable anymore.”
The comment appears to be in response to Matt Whitaker’s appointment as acting U.S. attorney general. Whitaker has been openly critical of the Mueller investigation, and some believe that he could move to fire or otherwise undermine the investigation.
A few other Republicans, including Susan Collins of Maine, have expressed support for protecting Mueller. Democrats have been pushing for protection as well. Most believe that the Mueller investigation is wrapping up and that the special counsel will soon release his report.
Insiders in the White House report that the president is increasingly frustrated with the investigation and fretting over what the results might be. The president has reportedly been lashing out at aides over the recent election, his ill-received trip to Paris, and the investigation.
