The Patriot Post® · A Special Prosecutor — Calling Dems' Bluff?
On Wednesday, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein finally gave Democrats and the mainstream media what they’ve been demanding for months now. Rosenstein named former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate the baseless allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to interfere in the 2016 election. Rosenstein made the call because AG Jeff Sessions has recused himself from the case after being bushwhacked with a question on the conspiracy theory topic during his confirmation hearings.
Rosenstein provided Mueller with broad authority to investigate “any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump” and “any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.” The prosecutorial authority notes further, “The special counsel is authorized to prosecute federal crimes arising from the investigation of these matters.” Rosenstein made his objective clear: “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 … a Special Counsel is necessary in order for the American people to have full confidence in the outcome.”
Notably, it is highly unusual to appoint a prosecutor where there is no evidence of a crime being committed — as was the case with Obama’s IRS targeting conservative organizations, his operatives running guns into Mexico, his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton transmitting classified information across a private insecure email server in effort to hide her communications from the public record, his Attorney General meeting with Bill Clinton, etc.
The appointment notwithstanding, don’t expect the raging Democrats to be appeased or pleased.
After Rosenstein’s announcement, Donald Trump responded: “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. I look forward to this matter concluding quickly. In the meantime, I will never stop fighting for the people and the issues that matter most to the future of our country.”
Several lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have praised the appointment of Mueller, who is viewed by many to be just the man for the job. And while this decision was brought about by increasing pressure from the hostile anti-Trump Democrats and their mainstream media echo chambers, it may not prove to be the disaster some conservatives project. Yes, Mueller will be pressured by both Democrats and the Leftmedia to find someone connected to Trump as guilty of a crime. (Remember the incidental prosecution of Scooter Libby?) The investigation will likely turn up little to no evidence supporting the collusion conspiracy, but if Mueller doesn’t nail somebody for something, leftists will then demand his head. And certainly in the short term, the investigation is going to continue to be an impediment to Trump’s agenda.
On the other hand, it’s entirely possible that Mueller’s investigation could defuse the constant distraction from Trump’s agenda, and ensnare some Democrats. On the short list of those who will be losing a lot of sleep over the special prosecutor appointment: Barack Hussein Obama, his criminal co-conspirator Eric Holder, Holder’s successor Loretta Lynch, and, of course, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.
If there is no fire where there is no smoke, then Trump has just called Democrats’ bluff.
(Edited.)