The Justice Department is bringing back former FBI Director Robert Mueller to lead the ongoing investigation into any potential Russian interference in last year's election.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein -- who encouraged the firing of James Comey -- just appointed Mueller as special counsel on the investigation. Rosenstein said, "I determined that it is in the public interest for me to exercise my authority and appoint a Special Counsel to assume responsibility of this matter."
There was mounting pressure for the move ... especially after President Trump 86'd Comey, and allegedly asked him to drop his investigation into Gen. Flynn.
One FBI source described Mueller as a straight shooter who "will go where the facts take him" ... and wouldn't be swayed by President Trump or any other politician.
Mueller led the FBI between 2001 and 2013. He also was the longest serving FBI director after J. Edgar Hoover.