The Public’s Right To Know

The naming of former FBI chief Robert Mueller to oversee the bureau’s Russian-meddling probe will end calls for a special prosecutor. But the public still needs clarity over the endless anonymous allegations and illegal leaks aimed at undermining President Trump.

For starters, Americans deserve to know what’s in the memos reportedly written by ex-FBI Director Jim Comey about his talks with Trump. These unclassified documents belong in the public record ASAP.

As do any similar memos he might have written in the Obama years, if only to provide context.

House Speaker Paul Ryan had it right Wednesday: Congress “has an obligation to carry out our oversight, regardless of which party is in the White House.”

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley also made it clear: “We need to get the facts out in the open.”

His panel, along with the Intelligence Committee, has already asked Comey and acting chief Andrew McCabe to testify (in both open and closed sessions) and hand over any and all memos, tapes, etc. related to Comey’s interaction with both Presidents Trump and Barack Obama.

Some Democrats are screaming “impeachment” and “special prosecutor” when no one has yet publicly put his or her name to any substantial charge. The press is in a feeding frenzy over anonymous anti-Trump claims.

The president’s best bet is to heed the advice of Sen. John McCain to “get it all out” quickly — because “the longer you delay, the longer it’s going to last.”

We hope Mueller gets his work done quickly — but even a plainly independent FBI probe isn’t enough.

Too many insinuations need to be either verified or dismissed. That means a thorough — and dispassionate — public investigation. Once the full facts are known, Americans can judge for themselves.