Right call, with the right leader
The U.S. Justice Department made the right call in appointing a special counsel to oversee the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Even better was its choice to fill that difficult position: Robert Mueller III, a former FBI director and veteran federal prosecutor known for his integrity, thoroughness, effectiveness and respect across party lines.
The need for an independent prosecutor became all the more imperative with this week’s New York Times revelation that President Trump tried to pressure FBI Director James Comey to shut down an investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Trump fired Comey last week and later allowed that his frustration with the Russia investigation, which he has called “a hoax,” was a factor.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein made the decision to bring in an outside leader. It was an especially bold and judicious move considering that Rosenstein last week crafted a memo critical of Comey that the White House cited as justification for the firing.
If anyone can instill public confidence in the U.S. government’s willingness to pursue the serious allegations with determination and diligence — and fearlessness — it is Mueller. He prosecuted Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega and notorious New York mobster John Gotti.
Mueller is a Republican with a commitment to nonpartisan law enforcement. He was selected by President George H. W. Bush to head the Justice Department’s criminal division, by President Bill Clinton to run the U.S. attorney’s office in San Francisco and by President George W. Bush to lead the FBI.
He took control of the bureau on Sept. 4, 2001, and a week later the nation experienced the devastating 9/11 terrorist attacks. As FBI director, he oversaw the crackdown on terrorism and the bureau’s transformation into an intelligence-driven agency. He showed his fierce independence in 2004 when he — and Comey — threatened to resign if the Bush administration did not retreat from its secret surveillance program they recognized as patently illegal.
President Barack Obama was so impressed with Mueller’s stewardship — “the gold standard for leading the bureau” — that he asked Congress in 2011 to extend his tenure as FBI director by two years.
While the chain of command ultimately leads to the president, as special counsel Mueller should have greater autonomy than others in the Justice Department to pursue this politically sensitive investigation. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been forced to recuse himself from the inquiry after it was revealed that he failed to disclose his contacts with the Russian ambassador during the campaign.
At last, the pursuit of justice should now proceed beyond the reach of any White House interference.