Thumbs up: A bipartisan bid to protect Mueller

Thumbs up for a bipartisan effort in the U.S. Senate to ensure that special counsel Robert Mueller is able to complete his investigation of possible collusion between the Donald Trump campaign and the Russian government during the 2016 election. The president has done nothing to disguise his irritation with what he calls a “fake and corrupt” investigation. He has hinted that he might fire Mueller, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and others overseeing the inquiry. Trump’s anger flared anew this week when FBI agents served search warrants at the home and office of his personal lawyer. A day later, his press secretary asserted that the president has the authority to personally fire Mueller.

Four senators - Democrats Cory Booker of New Jersey and Chris Coons of Delaware and Republicans Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Thom Tillis of North Carolina - introduced a bill that would give the special counsel 10 days to appeal his firing to a panel of federal judges. No documents could be taken nor could any staff changes be made during the interim. The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to take up the legislation next week.

Sure, Trump would veto the bill if it reached his desk. Passing it would still be an important statement from Congress about the impartiality of the justice system.