Focus 2nd to last paragraph, Willie Brown indicates Trump's team picked Mueller
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The day Robert Mueller asked for my help
Willie Brown - May 20, 2017
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller will be looking into possible ties between President Trump and the Russians.
The appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel looking into the possible ties between our president and the Russians was a brilliant pick — one for which I may be able to claim a tiny bit of credit.
It was 2001. I was sitting in my City Hall office when my secretary came in and said, “Someone from the Justice Department is here to see you.”
A surprise visit from Justice is not exactly the most welcome news for a politician. Instinctively, I began going through my drawers to see if there anything incriminating was lying around.
“It’s Robert Mueller,” the secretary said.
“Is he by himself?” I asked.
“Yes. He says it’s personal.”
“Personal?” I asked, relaxing. “Well then, send him in.”
Mueller wasted little time getting to the point. “You don’t know me personally, but you have known me by reputation for some time,” he said. “I’ve been nominated by President Bush to head the FBI, and I need some Democratic support. I was wondering if you could make some calls to Democrats in Washington and maybe write a recommendation yourself if you feel it would be appropriate.”
Are you kidding? I thought. Help someone become the head of the FBI? Where’s the phone? Get me my pen. This is a favor that could be worth its weight in gold someday.
I made the calls. The pitch to Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer was simple. Mueller did a good job as the U.S. attorney here in San Francisco. We might as well have an appointee you know rather than one you don’t. Plus, everyone I spoke with respected the guy. He’s totally nonpolitical and was never one to grandstand or overcharge a case to advance his career.
Mueller got the top FBI job and served with distinction under both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Bringing him in may be the most intelligent move President Trump’s team has made, even if Trump himself barely got a heads up before the public found out.
Democrats had no choice but to applaud, because many of them had voted for Mueller as FBI director and praised his work.
I don’t know how it will all turn out for Trump, but whatever the outcome, Democrats will have to accept it.