Many Americans believe that Special Counsel Robert Mueller needs time and political space to complete his important counterintelligence investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and, in particular, of any links between President Trump’s campaign team and Moscow’s efforts. But only a few true experts have a deep sense of what an undertaking this sort of complex investigation involves. Some who do are U.S. Attorneys, whose supervisory positions required presidential nomination and Senate confirmation, and who headed federal prosecution units around the country overseeing a wide range of complicated investigations and prosecutions. They are not simply former federal prosecutors, but the senior leaders who have served our country over the past half century.
Today, such top federal prosecutors have added their voices to the growing call for President Trump to leave Mueller alone.
Twenty-two former U.S. Attorneys have signed a letter to the President organized by my colleagues and me at Georgetown Law’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection. The signatories have served under every President from Nixon through Obama. They’ve overseen complex investigations from California to Virginia and from Rhode Island to Texas.
In the letter, these former top federal prosecutors draw on their extensive experience with complex investigations and the appreciation that experience gives them for the importance of doing such work free from interference or fear of reprisal. In turn, they point to President Trump’s recent suggestion that he does not intend to seek Mueller’s removal and urge that the President adhere to that line—for the good of the country at home and abroad. Without regard to party or ideology, these patriots are, once again, stepping forward in a display of public service in time of great national need.
Read the full letter here.