May 17, 2017 04:03 PM UTC

BREAKING: Robert Mueller Appointed Trumpgate Special Prosecutor

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• by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE #2: Rep. Jared Polis wants more:

Justice Dept appoints former FBI Dir Rob Mueller as special counsel for Russia investigation-good step, independent commission still needed

— Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) May 17, 2017

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UPDATE: New York Times:

The appointment of Mr. Mueller dramatically raises the stakes for President Trump in the multiple investigations into his campaign’s ties to the Russians. It follows a swiftly moving series of developments that have roiled Washington, including Mr. Trump’s abrupt dismissal of the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, and the disclosure that the president urged Mr. Comey to drop the bureau’s investigation into his former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn.

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Breaking via ABC News, here we go:

The United States Department of Justice has announced that a special counsel has been appointed to investigate Russian interference into last year’s presidential election.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has been assigned by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to “oversee the previously-confirmed FBI investigation of Russian government efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election, and related matters.”

In a statement, Rosenstein said, “My decision is not a finding that crimes have been committed or that any prosecution is warranted. I have made no such determination. What I have determined is that based upon the unique circumstances, the public interest requires me to place this investigation under the authority of a person who exercises a degree of independence from the normal chain of command.”

Mueller will have 60 days to put together a budget for resources to conduct the investigation and that budget must be approved by Rosenstein. Attorney General Jeff Sessions previously recused himself from all matters related to the presidential campaign.

For context, the last time a special prosecutor was called up at this level was the investigation into the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame in 2003. That investigation ultimately led to the resignation and felony prosecution of White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who served both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, has obvious questions to ask–well above the level of staff members.