Daily Times

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has said the decision to appoint a special counsel to oversee the inquiry into Russian influence on his election is hurting America “terribly”.

Speaking at a news conference in Washington, he denied any collusion with Russia during his election campaign last year. “The entire thing has been a witch hunt and there is no collusion,” he said. Former FBI chief Robert Mueller has been selected to lead the inquiry.

In his statement announcing Mr Mueller’s appointment, Mr Rosenstein said: “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.”

Mr Mueller, who will have wide-ranging powers, said simply: “I accept this responsibility and will discharge it to the best of my ability.”

In announcing the appointment of a special counsel, Mr Rosenstein cited the “unusual circumstances” of the ongoing FBI Russia investigation. That’s an understatement.

The circumstances are not just unusual, they are unprecedented. The nation has never had an administration so embattled so early in its term. There have never been such grave allegations of electoral meddling by a foreign power in a US presidential election.

Then again there has never been a president quite like Donald Trump.

Now the Russia story enters a new, more serious phase. Robert Mueller has a sterling reputation in Washington, DC. He worked with Mr Comey when the latter served as deputy attorney general in George W Bush’s administration. He understands pressure-cooker politics and knows how to navigate the corridors of power.

He has wide latitude to conduct his investigation and bring criminal charges, if necessary.

While Mr Mueller is technically still part of the justice department and ultimately reports to Mr Trump, his stature is such that he is unlikely to be cowed by the president.

Independent investigations often take on a life of their own and can reach unexpected conclusions. With Mr Mueller in the game, the stakes just went up.