Courses

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. In this short course, students will examine a key set of decisions made during the 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. Deputy Special Counsel Aaron Zebley ’96, Senior Counselor to the Special Counsel Jim Quarles, and Senior Assistant Special Counsel Andrew Goldstein will serve as instructors. Special Counsel Mueller ’73 will lead at least one session.