IN THE MATTER OF ROBERT MUELLER – AT 1:18 P.M. ET:  Mueller is heading an investigation, commissioned by the Justice Department, about possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.  Mueller himself is a former director of the FBI. 

But how much do we actually know about Robert Mueller?  Typically, today's press is more interested in opinion than facts.  Research is usually thin.  Mueller is a key man these days, but how much about him, as a person and as an FBI director, have you actually read?

Fortunately, the Los Angeles Times has produced an excellent history of Mueller, which presents, to the Times's credit, a remarkably mixed picture of the man who may have the president's fate in his hands:

When he was named special counsel in May, Robert S. Mueller III was hailed as the ideal lawman — deeply experienced, strait-laced and nonpartisan — to investigate whether President Trump’s campaign had helped with Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

The accolades squared with Mueller’s valor as a Marine rifle platoon commander in Vietnam and his integrity as a federal prosecutor, a senior Justice Department official and FBI director from 2001 to 2013, the longest tenure since J. Edgar Hoover. He was praised by former courtroom allies and opponents, and by Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

But at 73, Mueller’s record also shows a man of fallible judgment who can be slow to alter his chosen course. At times, he has intimidated or provoked resentment among subordinates. And his tenacious yet linear approach to evaluating evidence led him to fumble the biggest U.S. terrorism investigation since 9/11.

Now, as he leads a sprawling investigation aimed at the White House, Mueller’s prosecutorial discretion looms over the Trump presidency.

On what terms would Mueller offer immunity from prosecution to investigative targets? How broadly will he interpret his mandate to probe not only the 2016 campaign but also matters that “may arise directly from the investigation”?

Will he target Trump’s sprawling family business and financial empire and the years before the developer ran for the White House?

COMMENT:  Read the whole piece.  This is good journalism, fairly delivered, and rare.  Mueller is getting into murky territory.  Will we see real justice, or what some are calling the criminalization of politics?  Mueller will hold the key.

November 25,  2017