Could Congress reappoint Mueller?

[dvduval]

If there were some sort of Nixonian Saturday night Massacre, would it be possible for Congress to simply re-hire Mueller as a special counsel and allow him to continue?

[virtualobserver]

1. they could, if they could pass a special counsel law over a Trump veto

How likely is that?

[MFM008]

2. If he fires him

It will make Comey's firing look like a picnic.

[patricia92243]

3. Nothing happened with the Comey firing - a lot of talk - but no

actions. The same will be with Muller - outrage, etc. but nothing done by this Republican congress.

The more Trumps learns he can get away with, the more he will do. After Muller is fired, then would be pardons for Jr. or anybody else.It will be never ending.

I don't think most people can comprehend how ruthless Trump is.

[Lee-Lee]

4. Trump can't just fire Mueller. Quit living in media stirred sensationalist fantasy

People, look at the damm law and the details instead of repeating media sensationalism.

Muellers position has civil service protections. That means nobody, not even the President, can just fire him.

Link to tweet

[Squinch]

7. The poster is asking the question. Thank you for the beginnings of an answer, but perhaps

next time it could be delivered without a lecture.

So now I am wondering, how far do those civil service protections go. I am a civil servant. I can be fired very easily.

ETA: So it looks like Civil Service protections are not all that. Unless the statute has changed since 2002, They seem to kick in only after a three year probationary period so they don't really apply to Mueller in any practical way, though everyone on the intertubes seem to think they protect him.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2002/07/what_are_civil_service_protections.html

Unless they somehow bypassed the three year probation on appointing him, but I am not finding any mention of that.

[Lee-Lee]

8. Prior federal employment has covered his probationary period

He pushed past that many, many years ago. It doesn't restart on a rehire if your in the same field or agency, or if it does it is much shorter period like 60 or 90 days with prior service credited.

[Squinch]

9. Thank you! That's great to know.

Now my only worry is this: I know I passed my probationary period years ago, but I also know that I can very easily be fired "for cause" and the "causes" are essentially that my immediate supervisor or someone higher clicks their heels three times and says, "I just don't like that Squinch." Three warnings and I'm out. So while this is great and it buys him time, I still wouldn't put anything past Trump(R).

[NightWatcher]

10. Because trump is known for his strict adherence to the rules?

Other things trump shouldn't have done...

Collide with Russia to subvert our Democratic process.

Launder money for Russian oligarchs.

Trump thinks he can rule like Putin. He thinks he can install cronies and relatives to report back to him instead of doing their jobs.

I believe trump will fire Mueller and dare the Congress to impeach him, and in doing so, hurt their chances in upcoming elections with the republican base.

[virtualobserver]

12. they can still do it

they can fire him for cause....which they can invent

[OnDoutside]

5. I thought while Trump couldn't fire him, he could fire Rosenstein and appoint someone who would fire

Mueller ?

[Generic Brad]

6. Co-conspirator Paul Ryan will get right on that

After all the Russian money he helped funnel to his cohorts through PACS and the RNC? I seriously do not see him bringing that to a vote.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. Yes, of course, but only if Congress was controlled by Dems. nt