We applaud the appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate the ties between the Trump campaign and White House and Russia.

The move should restore the confidence of all of us in the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the investigation itself.

Mueller headed the FBI with distinction under both George W. Bush, who appointed him, and Barack Obama. He is respected by Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. We trust his investigation won’t be a “witch hunt” but instead a reasoned search for the truth.

Why do we need the investigation? Start with the Russians hacking into the Democratic National Committee’s website and Vladimir Putin purportedly throwing his weight behind then-candidate Trump.

Whether or not that interference changed the course of the election, the process itself is the bedrock of our democracy, and all of us should be deeply concerned with Russia’s attempt to interfere with it.

Next, when FBI Director James Comey requested more funds to expand his investigation, President Trump fired him almost immediately, allegedly because of the way Comey handled the issue of Hillary Clinton’s email server. Now we’ve learned Comey possesses a memo documenting the fact that Trump asked him to drop the investigation.

Why a special counsel? Attorney General Jeff Sessions was forced to recuse himself after admitting he’d failed to disclose his meetings with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislak. Next, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein stepped down, partly because of possible involvement in Comey’s firing.

Mueller is above reproach, and his investigation will have more far-reaching power than the congressional probes already underway. He can request any information he needs and even bring criminal charges if he deems them warranted.

Scotland Democratic Women

Contributing columnists

This article was written by members of the Scotland County Democratic Women. They are Jan Schmidt, Bonnie Kelley, Nancy Barrineau and Mary Evans.