Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that legislation to keep President Donald Trump from firing Russia special counsel Robert Mueller is "not necessary" because "I don't think the president is going to do that."
"There is no indication that Mueller is going to be fired," the Kentucky Republican told Neil Cavuto in an interview on Fox News. "Just as a practical matter, even if we passed it, why would he sign it?
"I don't think he should fire Mueller," he added. "I don't think he is going to.
"This is a piece of legislation that's not necessary in my judgment," McConnell said.
Four senators — Republicans Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Democrats Cory Booker of New Jersey and Chris Coons of Delaware — have cosponsored legislation to protect the Moscow investigation.
McConnell, 76, the six-term senator, told Cavuto that such legislation would not make it to a vote by the full chamber.
"I'm the one who decides what we take to the floor," he said. "That's my responsibility as the majority leader — and we will not be having this on the floor of the Senate."
McConnell said "yes" he would be surprised if Trump dismissed Mueller but added: "I don't think he should — and I don't think he will."
On Attorney General Jeff Sessions, he praised the former Alabama Republican senator despite frequent, vicious attacks by President Trump.
"Jeff Sessions is doing a good job," McConnell told Cavuto, "and I think he should stay right where he is.
"I'm glad Jeff Sessions is where he is. I served with him for 20 years in the Senate.
"He is doing a good job as attorney general — and I'm glad the president is keeping him right where he is."
McConnell also said President Trump was "doing a good job on a whole lot of things that are important to the American people.
"Keeping his commitments — on judges, on taxes, on regulations.
"The American people are vastly better off than they would have been had Hillary Clinton been elected president of the United States."