It's Mueller Time

Washington greeted the news that the Justice Department had named Robert Mueller special counsel to oversee the FBI's investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election with a collective sigh of relief. The speed and intensity of events and developments about this interference—and the possibility that Trump associates were involved or had knowledge of it—had only increased over the first four months of Donald Trump's presidency.

It was particularly virulent in the nine days preceding Mueller's appointment. In quick succession, the FBI director was fired, the White House lied about the reasons, the president reportedly disclosed classified intelligence to the Russian foreign minister, and the White House declined to comment on whether Trump had recordings of his conversations with Comey or others. Then on the evening of May 16, the New York Times reported that Comey had drafted a detailed memo following a February meeting with Trump in which the director claimed the president had pushed him to "let go" of the FBI's investigation into former national security adviser Mike Flynn, the epicenter of scrutiny about Russian meddling.

Much of professional Washington, the brotherhood of the political news media, and the White House staff itself were exhausted, dizzy, and caught off guard when Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced Mueller's appointment at 6 p.m. on May 17. You could hear a pin drop on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue as everyone absorbed the news. Then, the reactions started rolling in.

"As I have stated many times, a thorough investigation will confirm what we already know—there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity," said President Trump in a surprisingly conciliatory statement that evening. "I look forward to this matter concluding quickly."

"My priority has been to ensure thorough and independent investigations are allowed to follow the facts wherever they may lead," said House speaker Paul Ryan in a statement. "That is what we've been doing here in the House. The addition of Robert Mueller as special counsel is consistent with this goal, and I welcome his role at the Department of Justice."