WEDNESAY – Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has appointed Former FBI Director Robert Mueller as Special Counsel to oversee the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential Election. The decision to appoint a Special Counsel comes after a week after President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey.
The White House says it was notified of the appointment which comes at a time when turbulence in Washington was spiraling out of control. Former FBI Director Mueller led the FBI for 12 years, 10-years under the Bush Administration and later reappointed by the Obama Administration for another 2 years.
Former FBI Director and Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller with former FBI Director James Comey who was once his deputy. Credit: AP
President Trump respondent with a statement saying, “As I have stated many times, a thorough investigation will confirm what we already know – there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity.”
“I look forward to this matter concluding quickly. In the meantime, I will never stop fighting for the people and the issues that matter most to the future of our country,” said a defiant Trump.
Calls for a Special Counsel grew louder from Democrats and the media after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey and more louder with recent reports of a Comey memo alleging the President urged him [Comey] to drop the Russia probe on former White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.
A letter rom the DOJ appointing Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Credit: US DAG
With Attorney General Jeff Sessions having recused himself from any investigations on Russia, the decision to appoint a Special Counsel was left to his assistant Rod Rosenstein. In a statement released on Wednesday, Rosenstein said the following,
“In my capacity as acting Attorney General, I determined that it is in the public interest for me to exercise my authority and appoint a Special Counsel to assume responsibility for this matter.
“My decision is not a finding that crimes have been committed or that any prosecution is warranted. I have made no such determination.
“What I have determined is that based upon the unique circumstances, the public interest requires me to place this investigation under the authority of a person who exercises a degree of independence from the normal chain of command,” read the statement.
The AG’s office has indicated that Mueller agreed to resign from his private law firm in order to avoid a conflict of interest.
Rosenstein added, “Each year, the career professionals of the U.S. Department of Justice conduct tens of thousands of criminal investigations and handle countless other matters without regard to partisan political considerations. I have great confidence in the independence and integrity of our people and our processes. Considering the unique circumstances of this matter, however, I determined that a Special Counsel is necessary in order for the American people to have full confidence in the outcome.”
Former FBI Chief Robert Mueller and now Special Prosecutor served 10 years under G.W. Bush Administration and 2-years under Obama Administration. Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images
The FBI together with the assistance of the CIA, the Treasury Department and other agencies has been investigating Russian meddling into the 2016 Presidential Election and possible ties of some Trump campaign associates with Russia.
While there is no evidence proving President Trump has any links or colluded with Russia, this investigation under the Special Counsel could help clear this issue once and for all which had become a political football to resist, destroy and derail the Trump Presidency.
What may be tricky is the investigation of Russian connection in U.S. politics as Washington is awash with Russian money with many Democrats and Republicans guilty of this association.
The Special Counsel although independent still falls under the Department of Justice.
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