The right way to clear up doubts about Trump and Russia

A SHORT but strikingly powerful phrase—“in the public interest”—underpinned the welcome announcement, on May 17th, that a former FBI chief, Robert Mueller (pictured), is to serve as a special counsel investigating Russian meddling in last year’s presidential election and whether members of Donald Trump’s campaign colluded in that attack on democracy.Mr Mueller was appointed by the deputy attorney-general, Rod Rosenstein, who explained that he was acting to ensure the American people have “full confidence” that their nation is grounded in the rule of law, without regard to partisan politics. It says something about the perils of this moment that Mr Rosenstein, a career prosecutor, needed to spell out that reasoning. Still, after weeks of inappropriate and suspicious behaviour by Mr Trump and his aides, shameful foot-dragging by Republican leaders in Congress and, at times, premature hysteria from Democrats, no probe led by politicians or partisan appointees can enjoy the trust of a divided country.