Dianne Feinstein: Mueller Must Not Become Part of 'Pattern to Root Out' Officials

Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Saturday called Andrew McCabe's firing late Friday "part of a pattern to root out top law enforcement officials" by the Trump White House — arguing that Russia special counsel Robert Mueller "must not become part of that pattern."

"The rule of law and health of our democracy is at stake," Feinstein, the five-term California Democrat and a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on Twitter:

The firing of Andy McCabe is part of a pattern to root out top law enforcement officials. Special Counsel Mueller must not become part of that pattern. The rule of law and health of our democracy is at stake.

— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) March 17, 2018

Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired McCabe, 49, on Friday — citing the unauthorized release of information to the media and not being forthcoming with Justice Department investigators in how the FBI handled the Hillary Clinton email inquiry.

McCabe, who joined the agency in 1996, was dismissed two days before he was to turn 50 and was scheduled to retire, losing out on full retirement benefits.

"The FBI expects every employee to adhere to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and accountability," Sessions said in a statement.

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