Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Thursday that President Barack Obama’s plan to seek a two-year extension of FBI Director Robert Mueller’s 10-year term was unusual and would set a bad precedent.
“This is an unusual step by the President, and is somewhat of a risky precedent to set,” Grassley said.
“Thirty-five years ago Congress limited the FBI director’s term to one, 10-year appointment as an important safeguard against improper political influence and abuses of the past,” he said, referring to former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who headed the bureau for nearly a half century until his death in 1972.
“There’s no question that Director Mueller has proven his ability to run the FBI. And, we live in extraordinary times,” Grassley said. “So, I’m open to the President’s idea, but I will need to know more about his plan to ensure that this is not a more permanent extension that would undermine the purposes of the term limit.”
Obama’s plan does have the backing of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) who said that he was “delighted when President Obama informed me that he has asked Director Mueller to stay on at the Bureau for an additional two years.”
“The Bureau has seen significant transformation since September 11, 2001, and Director Mueller has handled this evolution with professionalism and focus,” Leahy said. “The FBI plays a critical role in our efforts to protect national security. I appreciate Director Mueller’s continued service to the nation, and I am fully supportive of this decision.”
Ryan J. Reilly
Ryan J. Reilly is a D.C.-based reporter for TPM. Prior to joining TPM, he worked for a news website covering the Justice Department and was a researcher for Bloomberg News. His email address is ryan(at)talkingpointsmemo.com.
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