Deputy attorney general appoints special counsel...

[james_1957]

The Justice Department has decided to appoint a special counsel to investigate possible coordination between Trump associates and Russian officials seeking to meddle in last year’s election, according to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

Robert Mueller, a former prosecutor who served as the FBI director from 2001 to 2013, has agreed to serve in the role, Rosenstein said. The move marks a concession by the Trump administration to Democratic demands for the investigation to be run independently of the Justice Department. Calls for a special counsel have increased since Trump fired FBI Director James B. Comey last week.

“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,’’ Rosenstein said in a statement. “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.’’

https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...1f359183e8c_story.html?utm_term=.0bf84b821bf6

 

[KingOrfeo]

Well, Mueller did serve under Obama as well as W, so I suppose he's not too partisan to do the job right.

 

[about_average]

Oh good, a special counsel who perjured himself during his confirmation hearing to be FBI Director

 

[KingOrfeo]

Oh good, a special counsel who perjured himself during his confirmation hearing to be FBI Director

What, back in 2001? What did he say that was a lie?

 

[KingOrfeo]

I note they said "special counsel," which is presumably not the same thing as "special prosecutor."

 

[Rightguide]

I note they said "special counsel," which is presumably not the same thing as "special prosecutor."

You have to have evidence to prosecute.

 

[KingOrfeo]

You have to have evidence to prosecute.

But not to investigate, which is within a special prosecutor's writ. Ken Starr had no evidence when he started. There was never any question he would "prosecute" anyway, you can't prosecute a sitting president.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Well, whatever his title might be, what matters is that Mueller will be empowered to investigate and subpoena, and free of outside pressure.

And anyone still convinced of Trump's innocence should be jumping for joy at this news! Finally the Russia matter can be definitely laid to rest, and Trump can get on with Making America Great Again!

 

[Rightguide]

But not to investigate, which is within a special prosecutor's writ. Ken Starr had no evidence when he started. There was never any question he would "prosecute" anyway, you can't prosecute a sitting president.

The law has been changed since Ken Starr's investigation. The special counsel is now controlled by the Attorney General who sets the counsel's jurisdiction and overall authorities.

 

[Rightguide]

Well, whatever his title might be, what matters is that Mueller will be empowered to investigate and subpoena, and free of outside pressure.

And anyone still convinced of Trump's innocence should be jumping for joy at this news! Finally the Russia matter can be definitely laid to rest, and Trump can get on with Making America Great Again!

Trump will be vindicated by this counsel, but others might be going to prison.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Trump will be vindicated by this counsel, but others might be going to prison.

What, his staffers or campaign team? Well, we'll see what we'll see. What matters is that all will be brought to light.

 

[Carnal_Flower]

Bwa ha

Idiot Boy thought he could fuck with the Intel community.

They got what they wanted: a path over the corrupt DOJ.

 

[KingOrfeo]

The law has been changed since Ken Starr's investigation. The special counsel is now controlled by the Attorney General who sets the counsel's jurisdiction and overall authorities.

Well, sort of.

While a special counsel would remain ultimately answerable to Mr. Rosenstein — and by extension, the president — he would have greater autonomy to run an investigation than a United States attorney would. Mr. Mueller will be able to choose to what extent to consult with or inform the Justice Department about his investigation as it goes forward.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

I sure hope Mueller resolves this "obstruction of justice" kerfluffel. I'm just all a "twitter" rolleyes:) over that prospect.

 

[ishtat]

Meuller is a class act with an impeccable record. He won't accept the gig without reasonable terms of reference - and Rosenstein(as Trump's designated Patsy) would not want him to. All you will hear on this for the next 6 months will be noise from the Senate and House committees.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Meuller is a class act with an impeccable record. He won't accept the gig without reasonable terms of reference - and Rosenstein(as Trump's designated Patsy) would not want him to. All you will hear on this for the next 6 months will be noise from the Senate and House committees.

At least that noise will keep the whole business continually in the news and in the public eye.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Oh, they're going to "get" him now!



Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, there's always tomorrow!
It's only a day away...

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Meuller is a class act with an impeccable record. He won't accept the gig without reasonable terms of reference - and Rosenstein(as Trump's designated Patsy) would not want him to. All you will hear on this for the next 6 months will be noise from the Senate and House committees.

That's what everyone said about Comey before he became the election scapegoat...


If he doesn't find grounds to impeach Abu Ivanka al-Amriki then he's the new Ken Starr...

 

[Rightguide]

Well, sort of.

He'll have the authority to look into Hillary's security crimes, look into the deep state leakers and their Democrat helpers as well.

 

[Lancecastor]

When Melania is transferred to the White House, how long before she's photographed with a black eye?

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

He'll have the authority to look into Hillary's security crimes, look into the deep state leakers and their Democrat helpers as well.

Exactly. If he's going to do the full Ken Starr, you do not know where the investigation will lead. It could damage the Democrats more than Trump.

 

[water505]

Democrats will go nuclear all over again if there is no evidence that Trump committed an impeachable offense.

We ain't seen nothing yet.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Democrats will go nuclear all over again if there is no evidence that Trump committed an impeachable offense.

We ain't seen nothing yet.

Like I said. I this guy does not convict, he's the second coming of Ken Starr.


If he wanders into Clinton-Obama territory, they'll be screaming for his immediate dismissal...

 

[Adre]

Makes no difference if he's impeached or not. His Presidency is for all intents and purposes over. Foreign leaders won't give a fuck what he says. Nearly 2/3 of the country feels the same way. Congress can now feel free to carry on however they want. At the rate things are going it's looking like the Repubs are going to hang on for dear life instead of capitalizing on a golden opportunity to govern and legislate.

 

[Tristyn]

Special counsel vs. special prosecutor: What's the difference?

I note they said "special counsel," which is presumably not the same thing as "special prosecutor."

On Wednesday, former FBI director Robert Mueller was appointed to be a special counsel to oversee the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and the possibility of collusion between Russia and President Trump's campaign.

So what is a special counsel? And what is the difference between a special counsel, a special prosecutor, and an independent counsel? The terms are largely interchangeable to refer to someone appointed to investigate allegations that could involve a conflict of interest within the Department of Justice. But the manner in which they are appointed and why has changed over time.

The president has always had the authority to name a special prosecutor. After the crisis brought on by the Watergate scandal, Congress passed a law creating an "independent counsel" who could be appointed by a three-judge panel. After the experiences of the Iran-Contra investigation and the probe into the Clinton's Whitewater land deal, there was bipartisan support to abandon that law. Now, the attorney general, in addition to the president, has the power to appoint a special counsel.

The statute regarding the grounds for appointing a special counsel says the attorney general, or acting attorney general in cases where the attorney general is recused, can appoint a special counsel when a case presents a "conflict of interest" for the Justice Department, or "other extraordinary circumstances." In this case, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was able to appoint Mueller because Attorney General Jeff Sessions has recused himself.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...l-vs-special-prosecutor-difference/329016001/