Justice appoints special counsel
Three congressional committees call for Comey’s testimony, memos
WASHINGTON >> The Justice Department on Wednesday appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a special counsel to oversee the federal investigation into allegations that Russia and Donald Trump’s campaign collaborated to influence the 2016 presidential election, giving Mueller sweeping powers and the authority to prosecute any crimes uncovered in the probe.
It was a concession by the Trump administration, which had resisted calls from Democrats to turn the investigation over to outside counsel. The White House counsel’s office was alerted only
after the order appointing Mueller was signed.
In a written statement, Trump insisted anew that there were no nefarious ties between his campaign and Russia.
“A thorough investigation will confirm what we already know — there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign
entity,” he declared. “I look forward to this matter concluding quickly.”
The appointment of a special counsel ramps up the pressure on Trump and his associates. Mueller’s broad mandate gives him not only oversight of the Russia probe, but also “any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.” That could well include the firing last week of FBI Director James Comey.
Republicans have largely
stood behind Trump as the FBI and congressional investigations into Russia’s election meddling intensified. But GOP lawmakers have grown increasingly anxious after Trump fired Comey, who had been leading the bureau’s probe — and after Comey associates said he had notes from a meeting in which Trump asked him to shut down the investigation into the Russia ties of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
Three congressional committees, all led by Republicans, confirmed Wednesday they wanted to hear from Comey. Congressional investigators have been seeking Comey’s memos on his meeting with Trump, as well as documents from the Justice Department related to his firing.
Early reaction from Congress about the Mueller appointment was generally positive, and Democrats said it was not a moment too soon.
“I believe Mueller will be independent, he will be thorough and he will be fair and he’s not going to be easily swayed,” said Elijah Cummings of Maryland, top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. “And he is a career man, a career FBI kind of guy, and I think that’s a good thing.”
Republican Jason Chaffetz of Utah, chairman of the oversight panel, said Mueller was a “great selection. Impeccable credentials.
Should be widely accepted.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan was more muted and formal: “I welcome his role at the Department of Justice. The important ongoing bipartisan investigation in the House will also continue.”
Fellow Republican Peter King of New York was more leery: “I’m worried with all special counsels because there’s no control over them and they can abuse their power.”