I've already posted the exact texts of Special Counsel Mueller's Grand Jury authorized indictments of Manafort and Gates, as well as the exact texts of the plea agreements allocuted to by Flynn and Papdopolous, irrefutable proof of the exact extent of the investigation so far, yet there has been a question about the scope of Mueller's investigation. Mueller was appointed by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein, acting in place of Atty. Gen. Sessions, who recused himself from the Russia investigations over conflict of interest concerns; Rosenstein, himself, is a Trump appointee, and his appointment was confirmed by the GOP-controlled Senate. Here is a link to the official Justice Dept. posting of Mueller's appointment as Special Counsel by Rothstein:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-re...67231/download
Below is a quote directly from the text:
Quote:
(a) Robert S. Mueller III is appointed to serve as Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice.
(b) The Special Counsel is authorized to conduct the investigation confirmed by then-FBI Director James B. Comey in testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on March 20, 2017, including:
(i) any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump; and
(ii) any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation; and
(iii) any other matters within the scope of 28 C.F.R. § 600.4(a).
(c) If the Special Counsel believes it is necessary and appropriate, the Special Counsel is authorized to prosecute federal crimes arising from the investigation of these matters.
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In the appointment order, reference is made to 28 C.F.R. § 600.4, (Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations [C.F.R.}) which fully defines the role, duties, responsibilities and scope of the Special counsel, in terms of Jurisdiction:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/28/600.4
Quote:
§ 600.4 Jurisdiction.
(a) Original jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of a Special Counsel shall be established by the Attorney General. The Special Counsel will be provided with a specific factual statement of the matter to be investigated. The jurisdiction of a Special Counsel shall also include the authority to investigate and prosecute federal crimes committed in the course of, and with intent to interfere with, the Special Counsel's investigation, such as perjury, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence, and intimidation of witnesses; and to conduct appeals arising out of the matter being investigated and/or prosecuted.
(b) Additional jurisdiction. If in the course of his or her investigation the Special Counsel concludes that additional jurisdiction beyond that specified in his or her original jurisdiction is necessary in order to fully investigate and resolve the matters assigned, or to investigate new matters that come to light in the course of his or her investigation, he or she shall consult with the Attorney General, who will determine whether to include the additional matters within the Special Counsel's jurisdiction or assign them elsewhere.
(c) Civil and administrative jurisdiction. If in the course of his or her investigation the Special Counsel determines that administrative remedies, civil sanctions or other governmental action outside the criminal justice system might be appropriate, he or she shall consult with the Attorney General with respect to the appropriate component to take any necessary action. A Special Counsel shall not have civil or administrative authority unless specifically granted such jurisdiction by the Attorney General.
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The scope of the mandate of a Special Counsel is very broad and encompassing. Nothing thus far known of the actions of SC Mueller has exceeded his legal mandate as prescribed and/or proscribed by Federal Law...
In case you may have wondered if Sessions can tip off persons under possible investigation, or even Trump, himself, the text of 28 C.F.R. § 600.6 puts the investigation(s) by Special Counsel outside of the purview of the Atty. Gen., if the SC should so determine:
Quote:
28 CFR 600.6 - Powers and authority.
Subject to the limitations in the following paragraphs, the Special Counsel shall exercise, within the scope of his or her jurisdiction, the full power and independent authority to exercise all investigative and prosecutorial functions of any United States Attorney. Except as provided in this part, the Special Counsel shall determine whether and to what extent to inform or consult with the Attorney General or others within the Department about the conduct of his or her duties and responsibilities.
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The last sentence in the above gives a firm legal standing for not sharing information, if the SC so decides...
All the above is not "fake news": it is firm, solid Federal Law, as writ. The bellyaching of the Trump defenders (why they are defending Trump when he is not known to be a subject of an investigation is a greater mystery) does not hold water in the face of solid law and, as usual, in the face of cold, hard facts...
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