Dem Rep. Swalwell: Whitaker Is a Mueller Probe 'Assassin'

A California Democratic lawmaker Monday characterized Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker as an "assassin" hired to "take out" special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

In remarks on CNN's "The Situation Room," Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., argued Whitaker was "hired because of his views" on the investigation — which in the past have been critical.

"We're not going to allow the president to just, you know, kill this Russia investigation by hiring an assassin like Matt Whitaker to come in and take it out," Swalwell said.

"He's prejudged the investigation," he added. 

Democratic leaders Sunday sent a letter requesting a formal update from the Department of Justice's ethics office on whether Whitaker should recuse himself from overseeing Mueller's investigation — and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., says there might be a measure protecting Mueller tied to spending legislation that must pass Congress.

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