In an effort to get the Russia controversy settled and allow the government to concentrate on matters of serving the public, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel. Mueller will oversee the federal probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign.

Mueller has all the same powers as a United States district attorney. This includes the ability to conduct a thorough investigation of potential crimes committed, issue subpoenas, and ultimately file charges if necessary.