Trump slams Mueller, mocks critics in fiery two-hour speech

Monday, 4 March 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

OXON HILL, MARYLAND (Reuters): President Donald Trump on Saturday attacked US Special Counsel Robert Mueller ahead of his report on alleged Russia collusion by the Trump campaign in 2016 and said his political opponents were “trying to take me out with bullshit.”

US President Donald Trump hugs American flag at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) annual meeting at National Harbour near Washington, US, 2 March - Reuters

In a speech that lasted more than two hours — his longest since taking office two years ago — Trump also vented about Democrats, a proposed “green new deal,” illegal immigrants and criticism of his North Korea summit, while voicing optimism about his own re-election prospects in 2020.Addressing a cheering audience at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland, Trump veered off-script to launch a tirade about events that led to the Russia investigation.

He mocked his former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and former FBI Director James Comey, both of whom Trump fired.

“We’re waiting for a report by people who weren’t elected,” Trump said of the Mueller report, which is widely expected to be handed over to Attorney General William Barr in the coming days.Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mueller in May 2017 to take over the Russia investigation after Trump fired Comey, whose agency had led the probe initially. Rosenstein is expected to step down by mid-March.Swarms of young adults stood to applaud Trump in the packed hotel ballroom where he spoke, at times breaking into chants like “Trump is our Man” and “We Love You. ”Trump said Comey was Mueller’s “best friend,” and implied Comey should have been fired before Trump took office. “Unfortunately, you put the wrong people in a couple of positions and they leave people for a long time that shouldn’t be there and all of a sudden they are trying to take you out with bullshit, okay?” Trump said.

“Now Robert Mueller never received a vote and neither did the person who appointed him,” he added.

Trump still has made no move to fire Mueller, a Republican and respected former FBI director who has conducted his investigation with utmost secrecy.