U.S. Attorney Trump Fired Just Gave A Classy Response To Today’s Special Prosecutor Bombshell
The appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election, and the Trump campaign’s role in that effort, has drawn high praise from Preet Bharara, the former New York U.S. Attorney and veteran prosecutor who knows the former FBI head well.
Having known him for years, I believe special counsel Mueller is a very good thing. He is one of the best — independent and no-nonsense. https://t.co/nMQo6aHalM
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) May 17, 2017
Bharara, who was fired as U.S Attorney by Trump in March, while he was leading an investigation of the president, also had praise for how quickly the appointment was done.
This is another good sign. https://t.co/96Iikta0hZ
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) May 17, 2017
He also showed he is happy about how it came about.
Citizens working together are more powerful than US Attorneys. And presidents. https://t.co/cBJRl5go6q
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) April 14, 2017
In a bylined article in the Washington Post published three days ago, Bharara began by recalling when Mueller, then FBI director, and James Comey, then deputy attorney general in the George W. Bush administration, fought an effort by the White House to block a secret terrorist surveillance program and won the day.
“In the tumult of this time,” wrote Bharara on May 14, “the question whose answer we should perhaps fear the most is the one evoked by that showdown: Are there still public servants who are prepared to say no to the president?”
To restore order and public confidence in the present situation, Bharara said three things are needed. First is a bipartisan Congress. Second is an “FBI director [who] must be apolitical and sensitive to the law-enforcement mission, not someone with a long record of reflexive partisanship or commentary on the very investigative issues that will come before the bureau.”
Third, Bharara turned to the need for an independent special prosecutor to lead an investigation into the Russian-Trump campaign scandal: “Given the manner of Comey’s firing and the pretextual reasons proffered for it, there is no other way.”
Bharara had muted praise for his “former colleague,” Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, who he said deserves “the doubts he has generated with his peculiar press-release style memo purporting to explain Comey’s sudden sacking.”
But he had not given up hope for Rosenstein and others to do the right thing: “He can still fix it. The move would not only ensure the independence of the investigation but also provide evidence of Rosenstein’s own independence.”
“History will judge this moment,” added Bharara. “It’s not too late to get it right, and justice demands it.”
With the appointment of Mueller, Bharara has what he asked for – at least in terms of a special prosecutor. Whether justice will ultimately be served is yet to be seen.
This is a good moment, however, for all who want truth, justice and the American way to fly once again like Superman, defeating the evil doers who trample on our rights, lie to us, throw false accusations at their enemies, pervert the free press, boost racists and pervert the innate fairness of the American people.
Thanks, Mr. Bharara for being one of the good guys, and let’s hope he is correct that Mr. Mueller is up to the job.