What is going on in the Russian inquiry?

Accusations are being made against US-special counsel Robert Mueller. It is said that he improperly obtained emails. 

His task was to clarify if there were agreements between Trump’s campaign team and the Russian government and whether there was potential collusion during the 2016 election. In short, he investigated possible Russian meddling and whether Trump and his employees impeded the work of the court. Furthermore, Mueller has the authority to make a complaint wherever the inquiry may lead. This investigation has already resulted in charges against former Trump aides, for example for tax fraud that do not relate directly to election activity.

Now, the investigation team is accused of the following:

• Mueller and FBI-employees were prejudiced
• Mueller obtained illegal emails
• Lawyers have donated to Hillary Clinton

The Former head of the FBI Robert Mueller
Credit: Reuters

Mueller’s credibility is doubted. There is talk of thousands of emails received by Mueller’s investigators between Trump’s election victory and his inauguration in January, the so-called transition period. 

His team denies that it ‘unlawfully’ obtained Trump transition emails. Reactions are shown on Twitter clarifying the sight: “Anyone who claims otherwise has no idea what they’re talking about.” A spokesman for Robert Mueller, Peter Carr, stated on Sunday, 17. December: 

When we have obtained emails in the course of our ongoing criminal investigation, we have secured either the account owner's consent or appropriate criminal process.

The Trump transition team sent an official letter to lawmakers on Saturday, 16. December. The lawyer, Kory Langhofer, mentioned therein that Mueller’s office “was actively using those materials without any notice” to transition officials.

The materials produced by the GSA to the Special Counsel's Office therefore included materials protected by the attorney-client privilege, the deliberative process privilege, and the presidential communications privilege.

The Guardian asks for the Republican playbook for the Mueller investigation and gives a look on “how the game looks several moves from now”:  

1. First, muddy the water by vigorously deploying “whataboutism” at high volume on everyone from Barack Obama to Mueller to (especially) Hillary Clinton.
2. Second, create-your-own conspiracy by finding someone in the FBI or justice department who either contributed to Democrats or said bad things about Donald Trump. 
3. Third, demand another special counsel to investigate the investigators, tarring Mueller and the FBI, and thereby dragging out the denouement.

Trump stated he is not planning to fire Mueller.
Credit: REX/Shutterstock

The latter could result in the dismissal of Mueller. But Trump says he is not planning to do this. But to what extent can we rely on Trump’s statement? The example of his former FBI director James Comey demonstrates that we can’t take his words seriously. We have to pursue the next development to see if we can do it this time.

Enough for today, you will hear from me soon. Till then: Have a Merry Christmas with your loved ones!