Surprise, relief dominate Capitol Hill after special counsel named

Some Republicans joined Democrats in breathing a sigh of relief Wednesday at news that deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had appointed a special counsel to lead the investigation into whether Trump's campaign had any ties to Russia. While many members said they were caught off-guard, a bipartisan array of lawmakers applauded the selection of former FBI Director Robert Mueller to lead the investigation.

Ohio delegation praises Mueller appointment

Ohio lawmakers from both parties Wednesday praised the former FBI director who will now oversee the Justice Department's investigation of the Trump administration's possible ties to the Russians, saying his intellect and experience make him highly qualified. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced that former FBI Director Robert Mueller will serve as special counsel to oversee the investigation.

The Latest: Senate Judiciary leaders invite Comey to testify

The Latest on the appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a special counsel to oversee a federal investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign during the 2016 election : Sen. Charles Grassley, the chairman of the committee, and Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein wrote Comey on Wednesday. They asked him to testify on the "circumstances of your termination" and his interactions with President Donald Trump's administration about the FBI's investigation into Russia.

New Trump-Russia special counsel took over as FBI director a week before 9/11

In this June 19, 2013, file photo, former FBI Director Robert Mueller testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. On May 17, 2017, the Justice Department said is appointing Mueller as special counsel to oversee investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

newMueller probe could draw focus to Russian crime operations

The U.S. government has long warned that Russian organized crime posed a threat to democratic institutions, including "criminally linked oligarchs" who might collude with the Russian government to undermine business competition. An ongoing special counsel investigation is drawing attention to Russian efforts to meddle in democratic processes, the type of skullduggery that in the past has relied on hired hackers and outside criminals.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions faces Senate Tuesday a ” in public

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, facing fresh questions about his Russian contacts during the election campaign and his role in the firing of James Comey, announced that he will face a public hearing by former Senate colleagues today. • A friend of the president said Trump is considering “terminating” special counsel Robert Mueller, who was appointed to lead an independent probe into Russia's role in the presidential election.

The Latest: Trump says media attacks to protect his agenda

President Donald Trump arrives speak during the Celebrate Freedom event at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Saturday, July 1, 2017. President Donald Trump arrives speak during the Celebrate Freedom event at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Saturday, July 1, 2017.

Comey faces complicated path under Trump administration

FBI Director James Comey faces a complicated path under a Donald Trump administration. Does he try to serve out the remaining seven years of his term under a president who has publicly questioned the FBI's integrity? Or does he stay on as a safeguard against executive power and a guide for a novice president on complex national security matters? The term of the FBI director is set at 10 years as an affirmation of the bureau's political independence, and some other chiefs including Robert Mueller, Comey's predecessor, have served presidents of both parties.

Mueller cleared by U.S. ethics experts to head Russia probe

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has been cleared by U.S. Department of Justice ethics experts to oversee an investigation into possible collusion between then-candidate Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign and Russia, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday. The department appointed Mueller special counsel last week to ensure an independent probe, but an ethics rule limiting government attorneys from investigating people their former law firm represented raised questions over how Mueller would be allowed to operate.