The person who could cause trouble for President Trump.

(Baonghean) - Robert Mueller, the former director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has officially returned to "law enforcement" after accepting an offer to become a special prosecutor overseeing the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. He is considered the most suitable candidate and capable of causing difficulties for President Trump.

Mueller (center) was appointed FBI director by President George W. Bush just one week before the September 11, 2001 attacks. (AFP photo)

A good resume

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller is a very well-known figure in American politics. He was originally a lawyer. After earning his college degree, he worked privately for a few years before spending 12 years working in the U.S. Attorney's Office.

He then returned to the private sector, before going back to government service, heading the criminal division of the Department of Justice in 1990. He then worked in the private sector again before becoming the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California.

He took office exactly one week before the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. That was a huge challenge for the FBI "boss."

Not to mention, the agency is already reeling from a series of events, including a deadly confrontation with the Branch Davidians religious group in Waco, Texas; the discovery that an FBI agent turned out to be a Russian spy (Robert Hanssen); and the leak of documents obtained from lawyers representing Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber.

According to US officials, Mueller's tenure as head of the FBI was quite successful in many respects. Indeed, his term, which was supposed to end in 2011, was extended for another two years by then-President Barack Obama.

Robert Mueller, described as a straightforward man, led the FBI for 12 years. (AFP photo)

One of the former FBI director's greatest successes was successfully transforming the agency from a purely law enforcement body into an intelligence-oriented organization to proactively address major security threats to the United States. Philip Mudd, Mueller's deputy, said of his boss: "Robert Mueller is a very trustworthy person."

"He's not just one of the best, Robert Mueller, he's the best I've ever met." Former Attorney General Eric Holder praised Mueller as someone who couldn't be bought.

Attorney Neil MacBride called Robert Mueller "the most respected prosecutor in America." Indeed, in his crucial position, Mueller has proven his true competence and garnered bipartisan support despite being a Republican.

Therefore, immediately after the US Department of Justice announced its decision to appoint Mueller as special prosecutor in the investigation into whether Russia interfered in the 2016 US election, both Republicans and Democrats welcomed the decision, calling it the right choice.

Political independence

Another important factor in Robert Mueller's selection for the special investigation role was his straightforward personality and his "political independence." One of the situations that made former FBI director Mueller famous occurred on a spring night in 2004.

At the time, Attorney General John D. Ashcroft was very ill. It was reported that President George W. Bush sent two senior aides to his sickroom and "pressured" Ashcroft into signing a decision to reopen the government's wiretapping program, which the Justice Department had previously declared illegal.

Upon hearing this news, Mueller and James Comey, then Deputy Attorney General John D. Ashcroft, rushed to the intensive care unit of the hospital where Ashcroft was being treated.

In this emergency situation, Mueller was able to promptly thwart President Bush's intentions and successfully protect the privacy of American citizens.

His integrity and fairness earned the former FBI Director numerous requests for assistance in major American investigations, even after his retirement. One example is the Mueller investigation overseeing the disbursement of nearly $1 billion in compensation related to the Takata Corporation's faulty car airbags.

Or consider the fact that the National Football League (NFL) asked Mueller to conduct an independent investigation into allegations that league officials had received and viewed a video showing Baltimore Ravens guard Ray Rice assaulting his fiancée at a casino in Atlantic City in February of that year.

Ultimately, Robert Mueller is considered a genuine law enforcement officer, unaffected by political pressure that would lead him to make any unlawful decisions.

With his experience, Mueller was given a special position with expanded authority. According to American press reports, as a special prosecutor, Mueller will operate with a greater degree of independence than a regular federal prosecutor or the FBI director.

Many people protested against President Donald Trump after he fired FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the Trump-Russia investigation (Photo: AFP).

Opportunity for clarity

The controversy surrounding allegations of Russian interference in the US presidential election and the relationship between US President Donald Trump and Moscow has stirred up American public opinion for some time now. The country's political landscape has also been constantly disrupted by related information.

From the resignation of senior national security adviser Michael Flynn to the firing of FBI Director James Comey, all these events have fueled suspicions about the Trump administration's relationship with Russia, making it a topic that needs clarification.

According to American media reports, as special prosecutor, former FBI director Mueller was responsible for overseeing the work of FBI agents and other prosecutors in the investigation into Donald Trump.

Mueller was also granted special authority that prevented him from being removed from the investigation until the final results were available. With this extremely broad authority, Mueller was able to conduct investigations that could lead to criminal charges, if necessary.

Given Mueller's working style, this investigation could last for several years, as he encourages FBI agents and prosecutors to pursue every lead, interview every witness, and examine any possible changes to criminal offenses.

Observers believe that entrusting Robert Mueller with this crucial investigation will help shed light on one of America's biggest doubts today.

Thanh Huyen