Opposing view: Mr. Mueller, end your witch hunt and step aside

In May, Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Today, Mueller’s investigation is clearly careening far beyond the scope of his original charge. Unfortunately, taxpayer resources are being used to scrutinize anyone and anything that fits into a preconceived notion that Russia colluded with the Trump campaign to “fix the election.”

Since June, I have requested that Robert Mueller recuse himself.

We learned after Mueller’s appointment that former FBI director James Comey leaked government memos meaning to influence the appointment of a special counsel. Comey’s actions were rewarded by a news media frenzy that backed the administration into a corner, leading to the selection of his close friend, Mueller.

After assuming the role, Mueller has made blatantly partisan hires that place the direction of his probe under a cloud of suspicion. These hires are, in part, due to a failure of the Department of Justice to officially vet its prosecutors or agents. Unfortunately, Mueller exploited this lapse in policy.

We should be deeply concerned with Mueller’s unlimited reach and unvetted hires. The way Mueller has conducted and unilaterally expanded his investigation, the subordinates he has hired, the persistent leaks from his office, and his abuse of attorney-client privilege — would all suggest his preference for questionable tactics.

Mueller has demonstrated he is incapable of leading a focused, unbiased review of his initial assignment. His witch hunt must end.

If Robert Mueller truly cared for justice, he would voluntarily step aside from his post. However, he has repeatedly shown that he has no interest in ending his crusade. The credibility of the American justice system — and indeed, our representative republic — is at stake.