Pittsburgh police carrying riot gear in case Trump fires Mueller

Police detectives in Pittsburgh were instructed to start bringing riot gear to work in fear of protests that could be set off if President Trump fires special counsel Robert Mueller. Veuer's Sam Berman has the full story. Buzz60

Leaders at the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police instructed detectives to carry riot gear should protests break out if President Trump fires special counsel Robert Mueller.

The directions came Wednesday, reports CBS Pittsburgh, in a memo from Pittsburgh Police Commander Victor Joseph.

"There is a belief that President Trump will soon move to fire Special Prosecutor Mueller," he wrote to agency detectives, saying the department received information on at least one possible demonstration. "This would result in a large protest within 24 hours of the firing."


He then instructs "all Major Crimes detectives" to carry riot gear with them until further notice starting Thursday.

There have been consistent rumblings Trump may fire Mueller, who is investigating the Trump campaign's connection with Russia. The speculation is fueled by the president's outrage over the investigation, which he's dismissed as a "witch hunt." Republican leaders have warned the president not to fire Mueller.

Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said the department is simply preparing, much like it does with extreme weather events.

"In this case, we have not assessed the credibility of the potential for disturbances, and we do not have any knowledge of the President's decision-making process," Hissrich said in a statement.