Justice Department to Appoint Special Counsel to Take Over Russia Probe

Former FBI director Robert Mueller will be appointed as special counsel to take over the Russia investigation.

The appointment was made by Rod Rosenstein, deputy attorney general.

The move comes amid concerns about the independence of the investigation.

Pete Williams and Ken Dilanian

Bowing to public and Congressional pressure, Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed former FBI Director Bob Mueller on Wednesday to be a special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, Justice Department officials said.

Mueller will take command of the prosecutors and FBI agents who are working on the far reaching Russia investigation, which spans multiple FBI field offices on both coasts.

Mueller led the FBI for 12 years under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

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