Justice Department names Special Counsel to probe Trump

– ‘Any links’ –

Trump has consistently rejected any suggestion of collusion between his camp and Moscow as “fake news” and complained in a speech Wednesday that he had been treated “more unfairly” than any US leader in history during his fledgling presidency.

But calls for the Russia probe to be placed in independent hands intensified this week following reports that Trump urged Comey to reel back its investigation of Michael Flynn, the national security advisor fired over concerns about his Russian contacts.

Trump’s alleged pressure on Comey — denied by the White House — has exposed the president to accusations of obstructing justice.

Perhaps shaken by the gravity of recent developments, several congressional panels have demanded that the FBI and White House hand over records related to Comey, who has been called upon to testify before both the Senate Intelligence Committee and the House Government Oversight Committee.

Given the politically-explosive context, Mueller’s appointment was widely welcomed across the political spectrum.

During his tenure as director of the FBI, from 2001 to 2013, he served both Republican and Democratic administrations, overseeing a shake-up of a huge bureaucracy blamed for missing evidence that could have prevented the September 11, 2001 attacks, and earning high respect from both parties.

“Mueller is a great selection. Impeccable credentials. Should be widely accepted,” tweeted Republican congressman Jason Chaffetz, who heads the House oversight panel.

The top Senate Democrat, Chuck Schumer, said Rosenstein did “the right thing” by appointing Mueller.

“I now have significantly greater confidence that the investigation will follow the facts wherever they lead.”

Trump urges quick conclusion of Russia probe

President Donald Trump responded to the appointment of a special counsel to investigate his campaign’s ties with Russia by protesting his innocence and calling for the probe to conclude “quickly.”

“A thorough investigation will confirm what we already know — there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity,” Trump said in a tersely written statement.

“I look forward to this matter concluding quickly,” Trump said, without directly commenting on the Justice Department’s appointment of former head of the FBI Robert Mueller as a special investigator.