One isn't the other

Special prosecutor Robert Mueller is mandated to investigate the alleged ties between the Donald Trump campaign and Russia.

The investigation has been underway for sometime, but it was completely secret until Monday. That is when Mueller brought indictments against Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign manager, and Rick Gates, Trump advisor and Manafort associate.

Both men have been charged with multiple crimes. They have been placed on house arrest in lieu of multi-million dollar bail.

Prior to Monday, speculation about Mueller’s first move was rampant. The real surprise, however, came with the indictment of George Papadopoulos. Papadopoulos was arrested in the summer and has become a cooperative witness, presumably working with the investigators since then. This most likely gives Mueller’s team the advantage of knowing more than observers first thought and giving fair warning to others who have been questioned or who may be questioned by them that they must be honest and forthcoming.

President Trump is reportedly seething over the events.

Part of the White House and administration’s response is to step up criticism of Hillary Clinton and her campaign, trying to tie it to the Russians as well.

The two are not one in the same.

No criminal investigation has yet been started against Clinton or her associates, but Republicans are calling for one, perhaps hoping to draw attention away from Mueller’s investigation.

Neither has anything to do with the other. They are separate situations. They call for separate investigations. Claiming one did this does not excuse the other from doing that.

Although the charges should be handled separately in a nonpartisan manner, it is the investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties with the Kremlin that is currently underway. That is the one that demands attention at this time.

As for Hillary Clinton, there is time enough to investigate her and her associates.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher