Mueller’s Investigation Immune To Government Shutdown – Has ‘Indefinite’ Funding
Tom Pappert
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A Buzzfeed reporter reveals from sources that Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections is immune to any funding gaps caused by a federal government shutdown, adding that the investigation has “indefinite appropriation.”
As President Donald Trump and his allies in the House double down on their promise to build a southern border wall and strengthen border security, increasing the likelihood of a government shutdown, a new report indicates Mueller’s special counsel investigation will be immune to any funding gaps.
Buzzfeed reporter Zoe Tillman wrote on Twitter that “special counsel Robert Mueller’s office would *not* be affected,” in the event of a shutdown, as the office is “funded through a ‘permanent indefinite appropriation,’ per a spokesperson.”
In the event of a government shutdown, special counsel Robert Mueller's office would *not* be affected. They're funded through a "permanent indefinite appropriation," per a spokeperson
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) December 21, 2018
Tillman added that unlike Mueller’s office, federal courts have a funding contingency that will last three weeks, allowing the court system to remain open until a funding bill could be passed. Should this funding run out, this could result in a situation where Mueller’s office is able to continue the seemingly never ending investigation while “federal defenders, probation and pretrial services, and federal bankruptcy courts” are all closed.
The reporter reiterated that, should Congress fail to pass a funding bill and cause a partial government shutdown, Mueller’s office will remain open and continue their investigation.
To recap: If there's a government shutdown, the special counsel's office will keep working, and the courts will be open
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) December 21, 2018
Mueller is facing increased criticism from both pundits on the right and members of the Trump administration, as acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker has refused to recuse himself from overseeing Mueller’s investigation, something former Attorney General Jeff Sessions did almost immediately after assuming the position.
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