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The appointment of a special counsel ramps up the pressure on Trump and his associates. Mueller’s broad mandate gives him not only oversight of the Russia probe, but also “any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.” That could well include the firing last week of FBI Director James Comey.

Republicans have largely stood behind Trump as the FBI and congressional investigations into Russia’s election meddling intensified. But GOP lawmakers have grown increasingly anxious after Trump fired Comey, who had been leading the bureau’s probe — and after Comey associates said he had notes from a meeting in which Trump asked him to shut down the investigation into the Russia ties of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

Early reaction from Congress was generally positive to the appointment of Mueller.

Democrats said it was not a moment too soon.

“I believe Mueller will be independent, he will be thorough and he will be fair and he’s not going to be easily swayed,” said Elijah Cummings of Maryland, top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. “And he is a career man, a career FBI kind of guy, and I think that’s a good thing.”

Republican Jason Chaffetz of Utah, chairman of the oversight panel, said Mueller was a “great selection. Impeccable credentials. Should be widely accepted.”

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House Speaker Paul Ryan was more muted and formal: “I welcome his role at the Department of Justice. The important ongoing bipartisan investigation in the House will also continue.”