By Steve Neavling
Motor City Muckraker
The special counsel investigation that began over growing evidence that Russia interfered in the U.S. presidential election quickly expanded to Donald Trump’s campaign and administration officials following mounting allegations of wrongdoing.
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller was appointed by Trump’s Justice Department in May, soon after the president fired then-FBI Director James Comey, who told congressional committees that his termination was an act of retaliation for refusing Tump’s orders to end an investigation into a former campaign and administration official, Michael Flynn.
About a month after taking over the potentially landmark case, Mueller requested documents from the General Services Administration (GSA), which plays a key role during presidential transitions, CNN reports, citing newly released email records.
Months before Mueller’s appointment, the bureau’s investigation appeared to be limited to Russia’s campaign to undermine the 2016 presidential election, according to newly released documents, which include emails between the FBI and GSA. The probe quickly expanded to encompass the president’s campaign and his new administration’s ties to Russa, resulting so far with the indictments of four former Trump aides.
“As a follow up to our request, we thought it best to send GSA an official preservation letter. Your staff has been extraordinarily responsive and we appreciate their patience with our (my) questions,” the agent wrote, according to the email obtained by CNN. GSA redacted the name of the FBI agent who sent the email.
The special counsel team demanded the preservation of communications, records and electronics involving 13 of Trump’s campaign officials, marking a significant development in the probe.
Unable to fire Mueller, Trump launched a smear campaign against the FBI and DOJ. alleging widespread anti-Trump sentiment in the top law enforcement agencies, which traditionally have been considered widely Republican.
Now that the special counsel investigation has reached the front steps of the White House, following increasing allegations that the president obstructed justice by trying to yield his influence to disrupt a probe that could determine Trump’s fate as president.
