It is not possible to find a single major media outlet that simply reports accurate facts without either subtle or overt effort to give a political story a “spin” that matches an editorial agenda whether it is liberal or conservative, pro-Trump or anti-Trump. There are rare chances to get real, accurate, original sources since most media pick the “facts’ that support a position, so even if the story appears unbiased, the fact choices provide a “spin”. That will be the case with coverage of the appointment of former FBI director Robert Mueller as special counsel by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Because there are various agendas, the stories will interpret the reasons for Mueller’s appointment.
There are real, accurate and original sources available on the subject of the appointment of a Special Counsel. The facts are found in the Department of Justice press release and Rosenstein’s order. The best way to determine the job of Special Counsel Mueller is to read the order and the press release yourself. (Both below)
The alleged Russia-Trump connections are likely to be found intertwined in most media stories on Mueller’s appointment. Russia appears in Rosenstein’s order and the Department of Justice press release. There is something of significance in the order that goes beyond Russia: the 2016 presidential election and related matters.
Russia and “Related Matters”
The job of Special Counsel Mueller includes “related matters”. Consider that phrase for a moment: related matters clearly include the Democratic National Committee emails that have been linked by innuendo to alleged “Russian hacking”. However, are also alleged connections between the murder of DNC staff member Seth Rich and the same emails. A potential related matter is the alleged misuse by the prior administration of government resources to conduct surveillance of the Trump campaign. The unmasking of surveilled Americans by former Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice and illegal leaking of classified results of intelligence operations is an additional “related matter” to the 2016 presidential campaign.
Special Counsel Mueller has the authority to investigate all “related matters”. There have been many calling for a “Special Counsel” who may ultimately regret having done so. Read the order and press release and contemplate the term: “related matters”. How ever Mr. Mueller’s work turns out, it is likely the result will be truth rather than rumor or innuendo, and America will be better off.
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
Appointment of Special Counsel
Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein today announced the appointment of former Department of Justice official and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III to serve as Special Counsel to oversee the previously-confirmed FBI investigation of Russian government efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election and related matters.
“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,” said Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein. “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.”
Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein added, “Each year, the career professionals of the U.S. Department of Justice conduct tens of thousands of criminal investigations and handle countless other matters without regard to partisan political considerations. I have great confidence in the independence and integrity of our people and our processes. Considering the unique circumstances of this matter, however, I determined that a Special Counsel is necessary in order for the American people to have full confidence in the outcome. Our nation is grounded on the rule of law, and the public must be assured that government officials administer the law fairly. Special Counsel Mueller will have all appropriate resources to conduct a thorough and complete investigation, and I am confident that he will follow the facts, apply the law and reach a just result.”
Special Counsel Mueller has agreed to resign from his private law firm in order to avoid any conflicts of interest with firm clients or attorneys.
