2016 ELECTION/FBI/INTELLIGENCE/RUSSIA: “Robert Mueller quickly got to work as special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election: building a team, designing a budget and forcing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to withhold from Congress documents he may be interested in—all in his first full week on the job…
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein named Mr. Mueller special counsel on May 17, citing the need for Americans ‘to have full confidence in the outcome’ of the investigation, which is also probing any potential coordination between Russia’s efforts and the Trump campaign.
President Donald Trump has rejected suggestions that he or his associates have any ties to Russia, and the Kremlin has denied interfering in the U.S. election.
The appointment of Mr. Mueller suggests the investigation is in the early stages, and it could take years to conclude. Clashes between the special prosecutor investigation and parallel inquiries by Congress are likely just beginning.
The FBI told Congress on Thursday that it would withhold for now memos written by former FBI director James Comey about his interactions with President Donald Trump, as it evaluates whether it can turn them over in light of Mr. Mueller’s appointment.”
-Aruna Viswanatha, “Robert Mueller Gets Off to Fast Start as Special Counsel in Russia Probe,” The Wall Street Journal online, May 29, 2017 9:03am