§ 600.1 Grounds for appointing a Special Counsel.
The Attorney General, or in cases in which the Attorney General is recused, the Acting Attorney General, will appoint a Special Counsel when he or she determines that criminal investigation of a person or matter is warranted and –
(a) That investigation or prosecution of that person or matter by a United States Attorney’s Office or litigating Division of the Department of Justice would present a conflict of interest for the Department or other extraordinary circumstances; and
(b) That under the circumstances, it would be in the public interest to appoint an outside Special Counsel to assume responsibility for the matter.
So, is Attorney General Merrick Garland going to appoint a Special Counsel? Just asking.
…The Special Counsel is authorized to conduct the ongoing investigation into whether any person or entity violated the law in connection with efforts to interfere with the lawful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election or the certification ofthe Electoral College vote held on or about January 6, 2021 , as well as any matters that arose or might arise directly from this investigation or that are within the scope of 28 C.F.R. § 600.4(a). This authorization does not apply to prosecutions that are currently pending in the District of Columbia, as well as future investigations and prosecutions of individuals for offenses they committed while physically present on the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. Those investigations and prosecutions remain under the authority of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Further delineation ofthe authorizations between the Special Counsel and
the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia will be provided as necessary and appropriate…
…The Special Counsel is further authorized to conduct the ongoing investigation referenced and described in the United States’ Response to Motion for Judicial Oversight and Additional Relief, Donald J Trump v. United States, No. 9:22-CV-81294-AMC (S.D. Fla. Aug. 30, 2022) (ECF No. 48 at 5- 13), as well as any matters that arose or may arise directly from this investigation or that are within the scope of 28 C.F.R. § 600.4(a)…
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced today the appointment of former career Justice Department prosecutor and former chief prosecutor for the special court in The Hague, Jack Smith, to serve as Special Counsel to oversee two ongoing criminal investigations. The first is the investigation, as described in court filings in the District of Columbia, into whether any person or entity unlawfully interfered with the transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election or the certification of the Electoral College vote held on or about January 6, 2021. The second is the ongoing investigation involving classified documents and other presidential records, as well as the possible obstruction of that investigation, referenced and described in court filings submitted in a pending matter in the Southern District of Florida.
“Based on recent developments, including the former President’s announcement that he is a candidate for President in the next election, and the sitting President’s stated intention to be a candidate as well, I have concluded that it is in the public interest to appoint a special counsel,” said Attorney General Garland. “Such an appointment underscores the Department’s commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters. It also allows prosecutors and agents to continue their work expeditiously, and to make decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law.”
The Attorney General also stated, “Although the Special Counsel will not be subject to the day-to-day supervision of any official of the Department, he must comply with the regulations, procedures, and policies of the Department. I will ensure that the Special Counsel receives the resources to conduct this work quickly and completely. Given the work done to date and Mr. Smith’s prosecutorial experience, I am confident that this appointment will not slow the completion of these investigations. The men and women who are pursuing these investigations are conducting themselves in accordance with the highest standards of professionalism. I could not be prouder of them. I strongly believe that the normal processes of this Department can handle all investigations with integrity. And I also believe that appointing a Special Counsel at this time is the right thing to do. The extraordinary circumstances presented here demand it. Mr. Smith is the right choice to complete these matters in an even-handed and urgent manner.”
Special Counsel Smith has resigned as the chief prosecutor for the special court in The Hague charged with investigating and adjudicating war crimes in Kosovo.
Attachment(s): Download 2022.11.18_order_5559-2022.pdf
Component(s): Office of the Attorney General
Press Release Number: 22-1237
Updated November 18, 2022
“…You know, there’s something about this that’s like… well, it’s like you’re expecting a letter that you’re just crazy to get, and you hang around the front door for fear you might not hear him ring. You never realize that he always rings twice….”
Adam Serwer @AdamSerwer
Mueller testified that the president is an unprosecuted felon. His testimony however, lacked a compelling musical number. 4:21 AM · Jul 25, 2019
Some of the responses:
Mueller’s testimony did not meet standards of reality show dramatics and in turn, was a bust. Media is stuck on stupid when it comes to covering Trump presidency. Media and some in public wanted theatrical pronouncements of Trumps guilt. Because we didn’t get it, Mueller a dud
So, what does the educated & rational public do when the press has turned into an entertainment machine?
It’s total saturation. “Journalists” and reporters now do this as part of their DNA & most seem to have zero insight
The idea that all this needs to be reality TV is the most damning aspect of American culture
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…
Early this morning:
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
It was NEVER agreed that Robert Mueller could use one of his many Democrat Never Trumper lawyers to sit next to him and help him with his answers. This was specifically NOT agreed to, and I would NEVER have agreed to it. The Greatest Witch Hunt in U.S. history, by far! 4:03 AM · Jul 24, 2019
Some of the comments:
Good thing you don’t seem nervous at all.
You don’t have to agree. It’s not up to you. See, Article 2 doesn’t give all the power you want.
We see what you did there.
You scared, Bro?
You sound scared.
Things you don’t say when you’re “totally exonerated”
[….]They don’t need your permission.
I don’t understand why Donald thinks he has a say in who can testify in Congress.
If you ever wondered what Richard Nixon would’ve tweeted in the middle of the Watergate hearings in Congress, Trump is giving you some examples. [….]
Strange, I thought you said he’d exonerated you…[….]
Turns out you don’t run the Congress. Who knew? (Fifth graders, they knew)
Why don’t you want to hear from the man who totally exonerated you?
You scared, bro? You seem scared.
Why would the SUBJECT of an investigation have any right to agree to who Congress brings in to testify about him.
That’s idiotic.
There you have it.
Why worry Donald, unless there is something to worry about. Is there anything to worry about?
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…
“Executive time” his morning:
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
“The Democrats can’t come to grips with the fact that there was No Collusion, there was No Conspiracy, there was No Obstruction. What we should be focused on is what’s been going on in our government, at the highest levels of the FBI….” Senator Josh Hawley 5:36 AM – 1 May 2019
Josh Hawley [2016 file photo].
Michael Bersin @MBersin
On the somewhat brighter side when it comes to Congressional oversight – at least Missouri is represented by a U.S. Senator who has first hand experience with an Attorney General who obstructs and lies. Oh, wait… 6:16 AM – 1 May 2019
Last Thursday, from Representative Jason Smith (r):
Rep. Jason Smith @RepJasonSmith
Special Counsel Mueller’s report has delivered the final nail in the collusion coffin. Anyone who pushes the false collusion narrative after today is playing into Russian hands to divide our country and cast doubt on our elections. The case is closed; it’s time to move on. 4:54 PM – 18 Apr 2019
Thus spake Nathan Thurm.
Some of the responses:
I guess you didn’t read it.
Now that’s some quality spin right there
Not really. I don’t even think it’s a mediocre lie.
So, nothing to say about a lying Press Secretary, 10 possible obstruction charges, 12 other charges that have been out sourced, or a lying AG?
Trump on appointment of Mueller. “This is the end of my presidency. I’m fucked.” That’s the statement of an innocent man?
I’m still struggling to understand why 140 different contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia doesn’t both you. Why don’t you care that it’s been *proven* that they interfered? Do you love Trump *more* than America?
why all the lying? why hasn’t trump acknowledged the Russian interference and vowed to do something about it? do you suppose it’s because he couldn’t win without it? so many questions
I’m not surprised that you don’t know how to read.
Looks like a clear case of obstruction. Mueller in reports says he “can’t clear the president of obstruction,” and list 10 times he tried to.
Really Jason? Do your eyeballs not connect to your brain? Either you are just blind lying to your followers about the report, or you haven’t even skimmed the report. 10 different impeachable obstruction events are listed – only need 1.
Read the report you half-wit
You should probably take a moment and read it first. Then, you should take a moment to rewrite your stupid tweet.
I need to move to your district just to run against you. Your language alone is a disservice to your constituency.
You apparently didn’t read the report.
The investigation was never looking for “collusion” Bc that’s not a legal term.
But you are excellent at regurgitating talking points that your gullible, Fox-watching supporters are sure to lick up.
You clearly haven’t read it. take the time to soak it in. its just begun, trump is f*cked anyone who pushes the false narrative that it’s over and we must move on is enabling a con man
Move on?
F*ck no.
This is just getting started.
Your boy is an immoral, unpatriotic opportunist.
Really? It established that Russia interfered in our elections for the express purpose of electing Donald Trump. Trump did *nothing* to stop that, in fact, he *encouraged* it. He’s lied repeatedly to the American people. And you’re still his bitch, instead MOO8s.
Early this evening approximately fifty individuals showed up in Kansas City on the steps to the Liberty Memorial on Pershing facing Union Station to protest the continued suppression of the Mueller Report by Trump Administration Attorney General William Barr. This was one of hundreds of protests across the nation, organized on very short notice by a loose coalition of national activist groups.
Aaron Rupar @atrupar
Watch Wolf Blitzer corner Rudy Giuliani into admitting he can’t explain why members of the Trump campaign didn’t go to the FBI when Russian agents reached out offering dirt on Hillary Clinton
[….] 5:02 PM – 26 Mar 2019
That is a really good question.
And, of course, Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) can’t help herself:
Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler
(1/2) It’s finally over. After 674 days,$25M tax dollars, 2800+ subpoenas, and conducting nearly 500 search warrants, Mueller concluded there was NO COLLUSION between Russia and @POTUS’s campaign, the President did NOT obstruct justice, and he is NOT charged with any crimes. 7:50 PM – 24 Mar 2019
Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler
(2/2) The political witch hunt has concluded. It’s time to move on and get back to the business of addressing issues impacting the American people—that’s something we can all agree on. 7:51 PM – 24 Mar 2019
Some of the responses:
I recognize you aren’t a lawyer, but as a lawmaker you should be able to recognize the difference between the end of Mueller’s investigation, but the very real continuation of the SDNY’s investigation into financial crimes.
Unfortunately, for all of us, it is by no means over.
“…while this report does not conclude the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”
-literally the words of the 4 page summary.
The prosecution of Manafort put the investigation in the black. $25 million for the investigation, Manafort is on the hook for $46 million. Pretty sure that equals PROFIT?
Learn to read.
Congresswoman you left out all the indictments, the guilty pleas, the fact that campaign chair is in federal prison and in federal court documents the president is referred as Individual 1.
Correction: The #BarrSummary concluded there was no collusion or obstruction while also stating “It does Not exonerate him” from obstruction of justice.
For a #WitchHunt there are an awful lot of people indicted and/or going to prison.
Let’s see the #MuellerReport
He did NOT say no obstruction. This a bald face lie.
It should not be hard to exonerate an innocent person. That in 2 years the special counsel was unable to exonerate the president speaks volumes. Your continued ignorance is a disservice to the 4th district and you should be ashamed of yourself
Paul Manaforts conviction and forfeiture PAID FOR THE WHOLE INVESTIGATION.
And the results don’t “exonerate trump once and for all”, they literally say they DO NOT exonerate him
… and that’s it now up to congress to proceed with subpoenas and charges
Do your job, stop lying.
37 People with criminal charges. including Russians who worked to help Donald Trump get elected.
@POTUS is a vindictive, narcissistic nincompoop and serial liar who praises despots and attacks honorable people who disagree with him or ask for accountability.
Actually you know that mueller stated that the report did not exonerate him. You also know that payments collected far exceed the cost of the investigation. But you won’t tweet that will you?
The investigation may have actually paid for itself based on what was uncovered, but you don’t want to actually talk about that do you, Vicky? You don’t even mention ACTUAL charges (199) brought. Stop. Trying. To. Spin.
You’re a partisan corrupt hack. The report says he is not exonerated. You clearly cannot read.
Not exonerated on the obstructing. Push for the full report to be released or you are a hypocrite, wait we know you are one. #BarrReport #ReleaseTheFullReport
The report does not exonerate Trump from obstruction of justice, according to Barr’s summary.
37 witches, including Russian operatives.
But wait…. I thought @realDonaldTrump just called Mueller an honorable man today? How can an honorable man be in charge of a witch hunt? What a political hack you and the president truly are-both of you!
Just curious…Do you support a release of the entire report? Do you believe Congress should be provided with the evidence that led to the report’s conclusions? Do you support letting the American people decide if the summary document accurately reflects Mueller’s findings?
Do you support releasing the whole report, not just the quick summary by a political appointee? If it completely clears the POTUS, let’s put any doubt to rest – demand the WHOLE report.
I know. 38 indictments are chopped liver. You Trump Republicans are amazing!
Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report has been forwarded to the Attorney General who has yet to release anything to Congress or the public. Meanwhile cable news network talking heads and panels are spinning without knowing. Or are they?
Here in west central Missouri this morning a large and very pushy group of Grackles descended on the bird seed out back, pushing out other feeding birds and pushing around each other.
Grackle. Quiscalus quiscula. F 5.6, 1/1000 ISO 1600, 400 mm.
Just one too many times:
Grackle. Quiscalus quiscula. F 5.6, 1/1000 ISO 1600, 400 mm.
Unlike the cable news network talking heads, at least this Grackle is getting something worthwhile out of his display.
![Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].](https://i0.wp.com/showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210819-606A2414.jpg?ssl=1)
