The Mueller Report and the Role of the Special Counsel (SC)

In May 2017, Robert S. Mueller III was appointed Special Counsel to investigate the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. In addition to the inquiry into Russian activities, the Special Counsel’s Office investigated whether former President Trump obstructed justice during the FBI’s and then the Special Counsel’s investigation of Russian election interference. The office’s work, which spanned two years, resulted in federal criminal charges against more than 30 defendants, and a report documenting the office’s charging and declination decisions. Three special counsels have been appointed since the Mueller investigation: John Durham was appointed in October 2020 to investigate whether crimes were committed in connection with the Russia investigation; Jack Smith was appointed in November 2022 to investigate two matters connected to former President Trump: classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, and potential interference in the transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election; and Robert Hur was appointed in January 2023 to investigate classified documents found at President Biden’s home and other locations In this short course, students will examine each of these appointments and a key set of decisions made during the Mueller investigation. During each of the six sessions, instructors will present on the legal, political, practical, and human context for a set of issues, and then examine why and how particular decisions were made. The final sessions will focus on obstruction of justice and presidential accountability. The classes will be led by Special Counsel Mueller ’73, Deputy Special Counsel Aaron Zebley ’96, Senior Counselor to the Special Counsel Jim Quarles, and Senior Assistant Special Counsel Andrew Goldstein