Reports: DOJ appoints ex-FBI Director Robert Mueller to oversee Russia-election probe

https://twitter.com/lachlan/status/864963392905281537

And away we go!

Multiple outlets are now reporting that former FBI Director Robert Mueller will be taking over the investigation into possible Russian interference in the 2016 election:

BREAKING: Deputy AG appointing special counsel to take over the Russia investigation; it's ex-FBI Director Robert Mueller — @PeteWilliamsNBC

— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) May 17, 2017

BREAKING: Former FBI Director Robert Mueller appointed as special counsel to oversee Russia investigation, Deputy AG Rosenstein says. pic.twitter.com/GXvP7Kdm9J

— ABC News (@ABC) May 17, 2017

NBC's Pete Williams: The Justice Department is appointing Fmr. FBI Dir Robert Mueller as special counsel to take over Russia investigation

— Jesse Rodriguez (@JesseRodriguez) May 17, 2017

BREAKING: Rod Rosenstein appoints former FBI Director Robert S. Mueller as special counsel to oversee Russia investigation.

— Sari Horwitz (@SariHorwitz) May 17, 2017

BREAKING: Former FBI Director Robert Mueller appointed as special counsel to oversee Russia investigation, Deputy AG Rosenstein says.

— Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) May 17, 2017

More from the Wall Street Journal:

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced the appointment because Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from any investigation related to the 2016 race. Mr. Rosenstein said in a statement that “I determined that it is in the public interest for me to exercise my authority and appoint a Special Counsel to assume responsibility of this matter.”

He cautioned that his decision wasn’t the result of a “finding that crimes have been committed or that any prosecution is warranted.”

He signed the order on Wednesday. Mr. Mueller, a former federal prosecutor, served as FBI director from 2001 through 2013 and has a reputation for independence. Mr. Mueller has been a partner a WilmerHale, a law firm, but is stepping down from his role there to avoid any conflicts of interest, according to the Justice Department.

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Breaking: DOJ appoints special counsel to lead Russia probe, fmr FBI Director Robert Mueller chosen. pic.twitter.com/CYpE7v3VFW

— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) May 17, 2017

DOJ press release. pic.twitter.com/MZezfv97C3

— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahDispatch) May 17, 2017

Oh, and also:

The White House was blinded by the Special Counsel announcement — given only about a 30-minute heads up

— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) May 17, 2017

MORE: White House only got a 30 minute heads up on news of special counsel being appointed to oversee Russia investigation – @CeciliaVega pic.twitter.com/bycaHKLjGN

— ABC News (@ABC) May 17, 2017

Buckle up …

https://twitter.com/NoahCRothman/status/864964152061833217

Score a big one for Rod Rosenstein's reputation. He appoints Robert Mueller to run the Trump/Russia investigation. This is huge.

— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) May 17, 2017