Chuck Grassley

Grassley Likes Mueller, But Calls Obama's Plan To Extend His FBI Term Unusual and Risky

Ryan J. Reilly | May 12, 2011, 1:50PM

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."

PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
Topics: Chuck Grassley, FBI, Robert Mueller

FBI

Obama Wants To Give Mueller A Two Year Extension As FBI Director

Ryan J. Reilly | May 12, 2011, 12:40PM

President Barack Obama announced Thursday that he wants FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, whose ten-year term will expire on September 4, to get an extra two years to head the bureau.

Read more »

PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
Topics: Barack Obama, FBI, Robert Mueller

Robert Mueller

Mueller: Loughner To Be Charged Today

Brian Beutler | January 9, 2011, 1:13PM

At a press conference in Tucson this morning, FBI Director Robert Mueller announced that the government will file formal charges against Jared Loughner Sunday afternoon. The preliminary complaint will include the murder of Judge John Roll, and the shootings of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and several of her staffers.

"Formal charges are expected this afternoon," Mueller told reporters, though he said it's still unclear when Loughner will first appear in court.

Mueller said he was not going to preclude charges under domestic terrorism statutes as the investigation continues, and that investigation will focus in part on Loughner's possible connections to white supremacist groups. Loughner had attended a similar event with Giffords in 2007, and had corresponded with her staff.

Joining Mueller at the podium, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik downplayed the speculation that a second person of interest had anything to do with the crime. "It would appear to us that the person may not have been involved at all," he said.

Dupnik described the crime in vivid detail, including the fact that an unnamed, wounded woman attempted to wrestle a magazine full of bullets away from the shooter. Loughner ultimately inserted the clip, but the gun didn't fire, and two men managed to knock the weapon away from him.

PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
Topics: Arizona, Gabrielle Giffords, Giffords shooting, Jared Loughner, Robert Mueller