The Russian investigation seems to have taken a big step forward with the decision by Robert Mueller to impanel a grand jury, but President Trump reiterated a familiar theme to supporters at a West Virginia rally Thursday night. "Total fabrication," he said of the idea his campaign colluded with Russians, per NBC News. Trump said he won not because of Russians but because of American voters."Have you seen any Russians in West Virginia or Ohio or Pennsylvania?" he asked. "Are there any Russians here tonight? Any Russians?" Related coverage:
- Protecting Mueller: Trump couldn't fire Mueller directly, reports the Washington Post, but he could, say, put a new attorney general in place who would be willing and able to do so. To prevent that, two bipartisan pairs of senators—Lindsey Graham and Cory Booker, and Chris Coons and Thom Tillis—have introduced separate bills to curb the executive branch's ability to fire a special counsel. Both would require federal judges to weigh in.