Justice Department says Mueller probe lawful
Source: Reuters
FEBRUARY 3, 2018 / 11:00 AM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
Reuters Staff
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department has backed Special Counsel Robert Mueller over a lawsuit filed against him by Paul Manafort, President Donald Trumps former campaign manager, and argued that the case should be dismissed. Manafort sued Mueller on Jan. 3, saying his offices investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election exceeded its legal authority.
The civil lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, accused Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller, of exceeding his legal authority to grant Mr. Mueller carte blanche to investigate and pursue criminal charges in connection with anything he stumbles across.
These claims lack merit, a Justice Department filing to the court on Friday said. The Special Counsels investigation and prosecutions are entirely lawful.
The department said the case should be dismissed.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-manafort-doj/justice-department-says-mueller-probe-lawful-idUSKBN1FN0HQ