Will we ever learn the dangers of unleashing a special counsel? By “we” I mean the country, the federal government, the Justice Department, and the person chosen to do the job of investigating and deciding if a crime has been committed.

In the beginning, the naming of a special counsel comes as a relief. There’s been a sensational case of possible wrongdoing by a government official, and the special counsel will determine, in secret, what should be done about it. The rest of us can relax and go about our daily lives.