Former FBI director Mueller to probe TrumpRussia links
SUDDEN ESCALATION Appointment of a special counsel is rare and can prove dangerous
In a sudden escalation of the ongoing Russia controversy around the White House, the US department of justice appointed Robert Mueller, a highly regarded former FBI director, as special counsel to probe links between the Trump campaign and the Russian government and entities.
Mueller was appointed by deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who has direct oversight over the FBI and whose recommendation was initially cited for President Donald Trump’s firing of James Comey as the agency’s director last week. Rosenstein did not clear the appointment with his boss and Trump ally attorney general Jeff Sessions or the president.
Appointment of a special counsel is rare and can be dangerous as he or she can look under every stone that can turn up unexpected results such as Monica Lewinsky during the unrelated probe of Bill Clinton.
Mueller’s brief is to probe “any links and or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump; and any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation”.
Trump lashed out at the decision on Thursday, tweeting, “With all of the illegal acts that took place in the Clinton campaign & Obama Administration, there was never a special councel (sic) appointed!”
Reports said there were at least 18 previously undisclosed contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians officials or those with Kremlin contacts.