CNN "Wolf" - Transcript: Interview with Rep. John Ratcliffe

Interview

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BLITZER: Since the new broke that the FBI raided the home, the office, the hotel room of President Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, in New York yesterday, members of the president's own party, they have spoken out. Several of them saying the president needs to be prudent in his next move.

Congressman John Ratcliffe is a Republican from Texas. He's a member of the Homeland Security Committee and also a member of the Judiciary Committee.

Congressman, thanks so much for joining us.

REP. JOHN RATCLIFFE, (R), TEXAS: You bet, Wolf. Glad to be here.

BLITZER: Several of your Republican colleagues are urging the president not to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller. I'm anxious to get your thoughts. What would be your advice to the president right now at this very sensitive moment?

RATCLIFFE: The president hasn't asked for my advice, but if he did, I would not recommend firing Bob Mueller as special counsel at this point in time.

BLITZER: Tell us why. As you know, the president is deeply irritated by these moves against his long-time personal attorney, Michael Cohen.

RATCLIFFE: It's understandable for him to be upset. If you look at it from his lens -- I'm a former prosecutor. I'm well verses at what happens at the Department of Justice. Michael Cohen is not my lawyer. The president has watched an investigation that's gone on for the better part of a year. Despite the fact that his personal lawyer has cooperated, you see this extraordinary measure taken against him. For the president to be upset, I understand that.

But notwithstanding that, I wouldn't recommend that he fire Bob Mueller as special counsel, even though I was not in favor of appointing a special counsel at that time. I think, right now, with the American people watching everything that's been happening here, Bob Mueller ought to be allowed to follow the mandate that he's been given. I wish it wasn't as broad as it is, but I think, at this point, the American people have enough confidence that Bob Mueller will deliver.

BLITZER: One final question before I let you go. Do you think legislation, as some of your colleagues have suggested, is needed to protect Mueller?

RATCLIFFE: I don't. The president has every right if he decides to

take action against Bob Mueller or against the attorney general or against the FBI director. Those are his constitutional rights and authorities, and every president has had that. I don't think we should institute special protections in the middle of something that's generated a lot of controversy just because it's generated a lot of controversy.

[13:55:12] BLITZER: Congressman Ratcliffe, thanks so much for joining us.

RATCLIFFE: You bet.

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