Last week, the US deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein appointed the former FBI director Robert Mueller as a special counsel to the investigation to Russia’s meddling with the US election and alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia that has dogged the new President and the White House from the very first day.
Whether he would do a good job or not, remains a speculation and can only be seen over time, but his appointment is definitely a good move for the current administration when it comes to policy matters. The controversies fuelled by the media dogged Washington so much that policy moves were getting little or no attention at all. With this appointment of special counsel, the White House can dodge questions asked about the investigations by pointing to Mr. Mueller and focus on President Trump’s campaign promises, which gave a lift to the financial markets since the election.
Last week’s senate banking and financial services committee hearing made it quite clear that the Trump administration is moving strongly towards the promised policies as the treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin strongly defended the proposed tax reforms and twenty-first century Glass-Steagall Act in front of Democratic criticism. Similarly, the secretary of state Rex Tillerson once again confirmed the administration’s desire and aim to normalize relations with Russia as it would not only benefit globally but Americans too. When asked if he pressed Russia on election meddling issue so that the two countries can begin with a clean slate, Mr. Tillerson discarded the idea of a clean slate as he pointed that the past cannot be changed and administration is not looking to work with a clean slate but with the slate they have.