Mueller is the man

It is rare that someone in the Trump administration does something worthy of unfettered praise, but the appointment of Robert Mueller as a special counsel to investigate potential Russian interference in the 2016 election — and any coordination between Russia and associates of the Trump campaign — surely qualifies.

Of course, the fact that the appointment had to be made at all renders this less a moment to celebrate than a mere respite from the madness. The administration was dragged reluctantly to this point, after all, despite obvious conflicts.

But an investigation into a matter so fundamental to the integrity of our democracy must have the confidence of all Americans — and until late yesterday, that was impossible.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions had recused himself, given his close ties to Trump’s campaign. But that wasn’t enough — especially not after President Trump last week fired FBI director James Comey, acknowledging that the Russia “thing” was on his mind when he did so.

And so it fell to Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein to make the call — and don’t be surprised if Team Trump’s manipulation of Rosenstein’s memo about the Comey firing played into his decision. His choice of Mueller affirms his grasp of the need to ensure an investigation free of undue influence — even if the president doesn’t get it.

As a former FBI director, Mueller can hit the ground running. He brings to the job the respect of Republicans and Democrats, and a long record of prosecutorial accomplishment. The man who was sworn in one week before 9/11, and helped see the nation through the dangerous and uncertain 12 years that followed, will be undaunted by the task at hand. We hope it can be done expeditiously, but the facts will determine that.

Whether the probe reveals that there was collusion — or that there was more smoke here than fire — the American people can now be more confident in the conclusion.