Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said Sunday he believed special counsel Robert Mueller was appointed “far too soon” to investigate Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
“The special counsel was named far too soon. I would’ve much rather had the Senate and House Intelligence Committees complete their report[s],” Johnson told NBC.
“I think in this case the most important thing is public disclosure and that is harmed when you start having special counsel and all the information is gathered and is held close,” the Senate Homeland Security Committee chairman continued.
WATCH: In exclusive interview, @SenRonJohnson (R-Wis.) says that special counsel Robert Mueller was appointed “far too soon” #MTP pic.twitter.com/s4lwCUuc0h
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 1, 2018
While he was worried that Mueller was too “close to the FBI” as a former director, he added that it is not necessary for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to appoint a second special counsel to probe the bureau and Department of Justice for potentially bungling its investigations into Russian interference.
Johnson also said U.S. relations with Russia need to improve in the long-term.
However, he thought the best way the administration can respond to the nerve gas attack in the U.K. suspected of being carried out by Russian operatives is to “build up troop strength in eastern European countries in the Baltics to make sure Russia goes no further.”
“My concern is that they make some kind of move in one of the Baltic states,” he said, referring to the Kremlin.
