Scaramucci says Trump would survive impeachment regardless of Mueller findings
By Caitlin Huey-Burns
/ CBS News
Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci said that even if the special counsel investigation implicates President Trump in illegal activity, the Senate would likely act as a backstop against impeachment and prevent his removal from office.
"If it is illegal and it got up to the president, that's a very bad set of facts for the president, but I still don't think that removes him from office, because you're going to have to get 67 senators to vote for his removal from office," Scaramucci said in an interview on CBSN when asked about the indictment of Roger Stone, the former Trump adviser who was indicted last week on charges he lied to Congress about alleged communications with Wikileaks.
"Even if the House says, 'We're going to impeach him,' there has to be a trial in the Senate. So, what I'm hoping is that cooler heads prevail here and we start to decriminalize things that happened in our political conversations," Scaramucci said, noting he saw nothing related to Russia collusion when he served on the Trump campaign's finance committee and transition team.
"I'm just talking about the practical political reality of it," Scaramucci said. "Let's build the worst case scenario. Let's say that stuff's illegal, the president is totally tied to it. I still don't think he gets removed from office because, again, you have to get 67 senators, and at that point it becomes more of a political discussion than it does a court of law or criminal one."
In an interview Sunday with CBS News' Jeff Pegues, Stone said he wouldn't rule out cooperating with the special counsel. "I'm going to tell the truth no matter what," Stone said. "I have no intention of not telling truth. I have never not told the truth. Claims that I was less than truthful before the House Intelligence Committee will be disproven."
In response to Stone's arrest, Mr. Trump tweeted that the special counsel probe is the "Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country!"
On Monday, Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Mueller's investigation was "close to being completed."
The conclusions from the Mueller probe could have a significant impact on the president's re-election bid. Asked if he would vote for Mr. Trump again, Scaramucci, who appeared briefly on the current season of "Celebrity Big Brother" on CBS, said he probably would, but argued that events could change.
"The answer is yes, I'd probably vote for him. Two years is a very long period of time. Let's see what's in the Mueller report, let's see what happens with Roger Stone, let's see if he decides to run," Scaramucci said. " There's a lot of things that are swirling around right now and so we don't know the answer to that."
First published on January 28, 2019
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Caitlin Huey-Burns
Caitlin Huey-Burns is a political correspondent for CBSN
Analysis: "No good choices" in talks with the Taliban
Negotiators for the U.S. and Taliban have agreed in principle on key issues
updated 1M ago 
The White House isn't ruling out another shutdown
The White House's message to federal employees? Call your Democratic member of Congress
updated 1M ago 
Army of strangers show up to honor Air Force veteran at his funeral
More than 1,000 strangers showed up to say farewell to Joseph Walker, an Air Force veteran they never met
updated 15M ago 
Several police officers shot in Houston; suspect is dead
"We have had several officers shot. Please pray for officers," Houston Police Chief Acevedo tweeted about Monday's shooting
updated 1M ago 
Lowering blood pressure could cut risk of memory issues, study finds
The study looked at the effect of more intensive blood pressure control and risk of developing mild cognitive impairment
updated 22M ago 
The White House isn't ruling out another shutdown
The White House's message to federal employees? Call your Democratic member of Congress
updated 1M ago 
Scaramucci: Trump would survive impeachment regardless of Mueller findings
"Let's say that stuff's illegal, the president is totally tied to it. I still don't think he gets removed from office"
updated 8M ago 
CBS to air Trump interview before Super Bowl
"Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan's interview of President Trump will air Sunday on CBS
updated 35M ago 
Will Roger Stone cooperate with Mueller's Russia investigation?
Special counsel Robert Mueller charged Stone with seven counts of lying, obstruction and witness tampering
updated 1M ago 
Bolton seen holding legal pad with "5,000 troops to Colombia" written on it
National security adviser John Bolton held a legal pad that appeared to say "5,000 troops to Colombia" written on it
updated 39M ago 
Analysis: "No good choices" in talks with the Taliban
Negotiators for the U.S. and Taliban have agreed in principle on key issues
updated 1M ago 
Will El Chapo testify in his own defense?
Defense attorneys have raised the possibility of calling "El Chapo" as a witness
3H ago 
Pope seeks to "deflate" church sex abuse summit expectations
On his flight home from Panama, the pontiff cautioned against expecting too much from the summit on what he calls a "human problem"
8H ago 
Deadly tornado tears through Cuba's capital city
President says at least 3 killed and 174 injured as powerful storm wreaks havoc in Havana neighborhoods
7H ago
U.S. and Taliban "draft" a deal with Afghan leader on sidelines
Top American envoy confirms "draft of a framework" reached with militants, as Afghan president urges "serious talks" involving his government
11H ago 
"This Is Us" star sells Girl Scout cookies at SAG Awards
The 11-year-old earned a Screen Actors Guild Award – and a badge, too
1H ago 
Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga sing "Shallow" in surprise performance
"So, I'm gonna be a little chance-y … Yo Bradley, you wanna come up and do this one?" Gaga asked during her "Enigma" performance Saturday night at Park MGM resort
9H ago 
XXXTentacion's son born 7 months after rapper's death in Florida
Rapper's girlfriend Jenesis Sanchez gave birth Saturday to baby boy Gekyume Onfroy
22H ago 
Meet the "Sunday Morning" Sun Queen
For 20 years associate director Jessica Frank has been handpicking every shining example of sun artwork to appear on our program – about 9,000 and counting
Jan 27 
Conor Oberst, Phoebe Bridgers on keeping collaboration under wraps
"I just didn't want anybody to hear that we had a project, and know both our music and make an assumption about what it sounded like"
Jan 26 
Apple, Facebook and other tech giants face critical week
High-tech industry in the spotlight this week as investors look for signs that growth is holding up
4H ago 
Meet the man behind a third of what's on Wikipedia
Steven Pruitt has made nearly 3 million edits on Wikipedia and written 35,000 original articles — all for free
Jan 27 
Amazon facial technology shows bias, researchers say
Facial-detection technology that Amazon markets to law enforcement often misidentifies women, particularly those with darker skin, according to new research
Jan 25 
Endangered lemurs could help humans fight disease
Madagascar's lemurs could hold the key to solving human diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes, but they're at risk of being wiped out
Jan 25 
"We've entered a new era" of climate concern, survey finds
A new survey shows Americans are more convinced than ever about the impact of climate change
Jan 25 
Lowering blood pressure could cut risk of memory issues, study finds
The study looked at the effect of more intensive blood pressure control and risk of developing mild cognitive impairment
updated 22M ago 
Possible listeria contamination sparks fruit recall
Thousands of pieces of fruit recalled in 18 states because they may be contaminated with harmful bacteria listeria
4H ago 
Vaping among teens, kids "threatens five decades" of gains, experts say
American Academy of Pediatrics says 20% of high school students, 5% of middle school students use e-cigarettes, call for more federal regulation
8H ago 
Their twins' medical costs top $1 million. Can GoFundMe help?
Some 250,000 GoFundMe campaigns have been set up to raise money for people facing steep health care costs
2H ago 
State of emergency declared over Washington measles outbreak
Gov. Jay Insless said the outbreak "creates an extreme public health risk"
Jan 26 
Real estate's new price gap: Urban centers vs. burbs
Most downtown areas proved to be winners, even during the real estate crisis — and they are only getting pricier
1H ago 
As tax season begins, here's how behind the IRS is
In a "massive catch-up," the agency must deal with millions of pieces of mail — and a looming 3-week deadline
2H ago 
Caterpillar's tumble sparks a slide in U.S. stocks
The industrial bellwether's profit warning – tied to tariffs and China's slowdown – was a catalyst for Monday's drop
2H ago
Apple, Facebook and other tech giants face critical week
High-tech industry in the spotlight this week as investors look for signs that growth is holding up
4H ago
Possible listeria contamination sparks fruit recall
Thousands of pieces of fruit recalled in 18 states because they may be contaminated with harmful bacteria listeria
4H ago 
Several police officers shot in Houston; suspect is dead
"We have had several officers shot. Please pray for officers," Houston Police Chief Acevedo tweeted about Monday's shooting
updated 1M ago
Will El Chapo testify in his own defense?
Defense attorneys have raised the possibility of calling "El Chapo" as a witness
3H ago 
Wild road rage incident caught on camera
The man on the hood is grateful a fellow driver with a gun finally helped stop the SUV
9H ago 
Moving company accused of holding customers' belongings hostage
Florida attorney general has filed suit against companies that use deceptive practices, hold customers' belongings hostage
11H ago 
Man wanted in slaying of 4 in Georgia arrested in Indiana
Authorities say Daylon Delon Gamble targeted his victims but they don't know his motive
13H ago
