Russia probe causes tension among top officials at Justice Department

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The rising criticism puts a new focus on the relationships between the president, special counsel and the Justice Department, especially as questions loom over whether Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will recuse himself from overseeing Mueller's probe.

A slight majority of respondents did not approve of Trump's decision to fire former FBI director James Comey, though the poll also indicated a lack of confidence regarding the independent investigation being led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Mr Mueller was appointed as special counsel to investigate Moscow's involvement in the presidential election previous year and possible collusion by Trump campaign associates with the Russians, but there has been no indication that Mr Mueller told the president to fire Mr Comey.

"If he fires Mueller, I will tell you, we are right on the brink of a constitutional crisis", the IL senator said.

Mueller has been appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to head the Russian Federation probe on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General, as AG Jeff Sessions has recused himself from any investigation related to Russian Federation. The Democratic National Committee called on Mr Rosenstein to recuse himself from the Russian Federation matter, but also said authority over the investigation should be given to Mr Mueller and not another Trump appointee.

An aide to Vice President Mike Pence revealed on June 15 that he was hiring Richard Cullen - a veteran of the Iran-Contra investigation, Watergate and the 2000 vote recount in Florida - as a private lawyer. The FBI has only publicly confirmed an intelligence investigation into Trump's campaign.

Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, also has retained an attorney to represent him. Mueller was Comey's predecessor as head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a friend and mentor of his.

James Hodgkinson launched into Trump tirade before shooting
The Friday visit announced by Ryan's staff comes with Scalise in critical condition at MedStar Washington Hospital Center . Suzanne Hodgkinson said she did not consider it odd that he left so abruptly, and maybe her husband just wanted a break.

Mr Comey told a Senate panel last week he believed Mr Trump fired him to undermine the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Russian Federation probe.

The President's tweet - seeming to confirm the probe based on news reports - came as a surprise to the President's own legal team, according to a person briefed on the matter.

On Wednesday, The Washington Post reported that Trump was under investigation for obstruction of justice, citing unnamed officials.

The outburst comes a week after Comey gave damning testimony at a Senate intelligence committee hearing, accusing the President of being a "liar". And allies of former President Bill Clinton also raised concerns of political bias by Kenneth Starr, who led the Whitewater investigation that ultimately led to Clinton's impeachment. He told the panel that the president asked for a document laying out a case for termination.

Moscow has denied any interference.

President Donald Trump is touting his social media following, saying he can deliver his message directly to voters instead of going through the "fake news media".

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