THE HEAT IS ON, THE PRESSURE IS OFF: The naming of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia is a masterstroke on a number of levels. It quiets the Democrats who were threatening to block any action in Congress including appointment of a new FBI director. It also provides the Trump administration a legitimate reason to stop commenting on a matter that is under investigation. The probe will now be headed by Mueller, a man of unquestioned independence and integrity, who importantly has a reputation for not leaking. The investigation will likely go on for months before reaching any conclusion, which could give the Trump administration breathing room to refocus on other priorities. And if President Trump is correct in his assertion that there was no collusion between his campaign and the Russians, Mueller is the man with the credibility to clear the president without the taint of partisan politics.
The appointment of Mueller last night by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein also helped restore his own credibility. He’s been taking heat since he wrote the justification for the president’s abrupt firing of James Comey, who was overseeing the FBI’s probe into whether Trump has any ties to Russia. The Justice Department said last night the White House was not informed of the decision to appoint Mueller, who was FBI director for 12 years under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, until after the order was signed.
