World
Not Over Yet: Special Counsel To Oversee Probe Into Trump Campaign’s Russia Links
Swarajya Staff
May 18, 2017, 11:29 AM | Updated 11:29 AM IST
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The Justice Department (DoJ) has appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller as the special counsel to supervise the FBI’s investigation of Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election in America. Mueller oversaw the FBI during the crucial September 11, 2001 attacks aftermath.
The decision by DoJ comes in the wake of allegations that President Donald Trump asked the then FBI director James Comey in February to close an ongoing investigation against former national security advisor Michael Flynn. Flynn was fired over charges of ethical misconduct - non-disclosure of his contact with Russian officials. The New York Times reported that it had spoken to 'sources' who have seen a memo Comey himself wrote after meeting Trump : “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go,” because Flynn “is a good guy.”
Comey himself was fired last week by Trump. Many believe that the leaked memo is Comey's way of extracting revenge over his sacking.
According to the Justice Department press release, acting AG Rosenstein felt it was "in the public interest" to appoint Mueller and has made assurances that he will be allowed to operate with a "degree of independence" from the DOJ.
In my capacity as acting Attorney General, I determined that it is in the public interest for me to exercise my authority and appoint a Special Counsel to assume responsibility for this matter. My decision is not a finding that crimes have been committed or that any prosecution is warranted. I have made no such determination. What I have determined is that based upon the unique circumstances, the public interest requires me to place this investigation under the authority of a person who exercises a degree of independence from the normal chain of command.
Considering the unique circumstances of this matter, however, I determined that a Special Counsel is necessary in order for the American people to have full confidence in the outcome. Our nation is grounded on the rule of law, and the public must be assured that government officials administer the law fairly. Special Counsel Mueller will have all appropriate resources to conduct a thorough and complete investigation, and I am confident that he will follow the facts, apply the law and reach a just result.
To ensure that the investigation is seen as credible, the White House was only informed of Rosenstein's decision to appoint a special counsel in the Russian probe once the order was signed.
Trump has welcomed the appointment of Mueller, stating that, "As I have stated many times, a thorough investigation will confirm what we already know - there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity. I look forward to this matter concluding quickly. In the meantime, I will never stop fighting for the people and the issue that matter most to the future of our country."
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