Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on Sunday defended former special counsel Robert Mueller as “beyond reproach” amid criticism of his handling of a two-year-long probe of Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election.
In an interview on CBS News’ “Face The Nation,” Manchin said Mueller correctly followed Department of Justice policy to not indict a sitting president.
“I think that Bob Mueller was beyond reproach,” he said. “I think we all felt that he was extremely capable, honorable and did a great job. With that, people don't like this, him not coming out with more of a definitive [finding]. But I think it was very clear, he said that the rules are you're not going to … bring charges against a sitting president.”
Manchin also was wary of impeachment proceedings in Congress — and that the ballot box is where it should be determined if President Donald Trump should continue in the White House.
“You've got a little over 17 months to the next election,” he said. “If you want to go through an impeachment, we get very little done there anyway.”
“We're getting nothing done if you go into that and next of all, there's not one Republican in the Senate that would vote for an impeachment so why waste your time?” he added.
“You have an election coming up, voice your opinion there and make your choice. That's where it should be done.”
Manchin was, however, critical of Attorney General William Barr, for whom he voted to confirm.
“If he basically takes the position that he's more the lawyer from the executive point of view and not for the people's point of view, I would have made a mistake,” he said of his confirmation vote.
“I wanted to hear from Mueller exactly but now in hearing where he's coming from, it really gives me pause and concern that he's the people's attorney. He should be looking out to prevent- protect the Constitution and all of us who are protected by that Constitution.”
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