Maine's congressional delegation is applauding the appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the Justice Department's investigation into any efforts by Russia to influence the 2016 election.
In a statement released Wednesday night, Sen. Susan Collins said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein made an "excellent choice" in selecting Mueller for the job.
"He has sterling credentials and is above reproach," Collins says. "Because of his experience leading the FBI for more than a decade, Mr. Mueller has established relationships with FBI agents and will be able to move forward quickly. He is well respected on both sides of the aisle and will inspire public confidence in the investigation."
Mueller headed the FBI from 2001 to 2013.
Independent Sen. Angus King says Mueller's appointment is "an encouraging step forward." King and Collins both serve on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is conducting its own investigation into Russian influence in U.S. elections.
"Mr. Mueller now has before him a serious and solemn charge, which will require him to operate in an independent manner, beholden to nothing but the facts – wherever they may lead," King says in a statement released last night. "It is my expectation, and that of the American people, that he will meet this obligation readily, because the consequences for our country are immense."
Collins says Mueller's appointment won't stop the Intelligence Committee's investigation. "This investigation will be broader than the special counsel’s charge, and it is important that we continue to follow the evidence wherever it may lead."
King says he's committed to ensuring that the Intelligence Committee's investigation will proceed "in parallel" with the Justice Department's probe.
Maine's two U.S. House representatives are also praising the selection of Mueller. But First District Democrat Chellie Pingree says, while Mueller's his appointment is "reassuring," it doesn't go far enough.
"[I]n order to have full confidence in the investigation, we need an independent commission that cannot be dismissed by the President,” she says in a statement.
Second District Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin told the Portland Press Herald that Mueller's appointment would be "very helpful in clarifying much of the different accounts being reported by media outlets and other groups.”