| | | | 1 topsy-turvy year of the special counsel investigation | | The news broke on a Thursday morning just after 8 a.m.
The headline: "Special counsel appointed in Russia probe"
The key paragraphs:
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed (former FBI Director Robert) Mueller to the position in a letter obtained by CNN. Attorney General Jeff Sessions previously recused himself from any involvement in the Russia investigation due to his role as a prominent campaign adviser and surrogate. As special counsel, Mueller is "authorized to prosecute federal crimes arising from the investigation of these matters," according to the Justice Department order Rosenstein signed.
That was 365 days ago. And what a year it's been.
Mueller's probe -- which has already led to five guilty pleas, one person sentenced and 75 criminal charges brought -- has come to dominate the political and legal landscape of Washington in ways that no one could have imagined one year ago today.
Much of that has to do with the size and scope of Mueller's investigation -- which began with a focus on Russia's attempt to interfere in the 2016 election and has burgeoned into a broader examination of the finances of one-time Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, the context surrounding Trump's firing of former FBI Director James Comey and a number of other avenues.
But Trump has played a major part in the all-encompassing nature of the Mueller story, too. The President seems fixated on the idea that the investigation is, in his words, a "witch hunt" and a "hoax" designed by Democrats to pay him back for winning a race they should have never have lost.
"Congratulations America, we are now into the second year of the greatest Witch Hunt in American History...and there is still No Collusion and No Obstruction," Trump tweeted Thursday morning. "The only Collusion was that done by Democrats who were unable to win an Election despite the spending of far more money!"
(Reminder: Mueller is a Republican and was appointed head of the FBI by George W. Bush. Rod Rosenstein was a Trump appointee. As was Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recused himself from the Russia probe.)
For all of the Trump team's attempts at pushing Mueller to end the probe, there's no evidence that it is ending anytime soon. Mueller has been -- and remains -- entirely on his own timetable. Which means Trump will keep raging against the investigation. And the wheel will just keep spinning.
The Point: Mueller is one of the most important people in Washington, and maybe in the country, right now. What he knows -- and what he can prove -- has the potential to fundamentally alter the arc of the Trump presidency.
-- Chris | | "Maybe we need to have more chefs in the Senate and Congress."
-- Chef José Andrés, in an interview with David Axelrod on the latest episode of "The Axe Files" podcast | | | TODAY, AT THE WHITE HOUSE | | | ICYMI, here's the news that came out of the White House today: | | | 🚨 NEW BACKSTREET BOYS SINGLE: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."🚨 | | CONGRESS MAY VOTE ON DACA SOON | | CNN's Tal Kopan and Lauren Fox reported Thursday: "The House could be forced to vote on a range of bills covering immigration policy, including a proposal dealing with DACA recipients, giving them a path to citizenship along as well as giving money for border security.
"What's called a discharge petition -- a rare procedural move that bypasses the committee and leadership process to put a bill directly on the floor (more on that below) -- is that close to reaching the number of Republicans that would be needed, assuming all Democrats sign on as well. A floor vote on a series of immigration bills would likely result in the passage of a bill that would offer DACA recipients a path to citizenship along with a package of border security funding and policy changes." Read more here.
Chris wrote about how this is the biggest political story no one is talking about. | | HISTORY MADE WITH CONTROVERSIAL HASPEL CONFIRMATION | | From CNN's Daniella Diaz and Jeremy Herb: "Gina Haspel was confirmed Thursday to be the first female director of the CIA with the help of votes from a half-dozen Senate Democrats. Haspel was confirmed in a 54-45 vote, the culmination of a roller-coaster nomination that appeared to be in danger at several points after she was abruptly selected by President Donald Trump in March.
Three Republicans opposed Haspel's nomination: Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Jeff Flake of Arizona and John McCain of Arizona, although McCain did not vote because he's battling brain cancer at home. But Haspel secured enough votes to win confirmation with the backing of six Democrats, including Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee."
Read more here. | | AIR FORCE APOLOGIZES OVER 'YANNY' VS. 'LAUREL' TWEET | | It's not all LOLs in the "Yanny" versus "Laurel" debate online. CNN's Zachary Cohen reports that the US Air Force apologized Thursday for its ill-advised attempt to incorporate the viral "Yanny" or "Laurel" meme into a tweet about repelling a Taliban attack in Afghanistan.
Zach writes: "In what was clearly a major social media fail, the initial tweet -- which was posted by the Air Force's official account earlier in the day -- attempted to put a playful spin on the popular meme currently sweeping the internet by comparing. The tweet has since been deleted and replaced with an apology that said the initial post was 'made in poor taste.'"
Read more in Zach's story here and more about "yanny/laurel" here (if you're not sick of it by now, that is). | | | House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi seemingly practicing her royal wave, just in time for this weekend's royal wedding. We know we're not royalty, but thanks for reading our newsletter. Tell people you know to subscribe to The Point newsletter. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba. | | | | | | |
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