White House looking at ethics rule to weaken special investigation - sources

Outgoing FBI Director Robert Mueller pauses during his remarks at a farewell ceremony held for him at the Justice Department in Washington, August 1, 2013. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration is exploring whether it can use an obscure ethics rule to undermine the special counsel investigation into ties between President Donald Trump's campaign team and Russia, two people familiar with White House thinking said on Friday.

Trump has said that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's hiring of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to lead the investigation "hurts our country terribly."