From the New York Times, I'm Michael Barbaro. This is the Daily.

Today, the investigators with multiple investigations now underway into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Who are the men and women responsible for figuring out what happened and why?

A profile of the new special counsel and the four Senate Republicans who say they will follow the evidence wherever it leads.

It's Tuesday, May 30th.

The biggest and most dramatic of the investigations is being led from within the Department of Justice.

It was first overseen by Attorney General Jeff Sessions who had to recuse himself because of his own ties to the Trump campaign.

The major headline from Washington tonight, President Trump's Attorney General Jeff Sessions revealing he will recuse himself from any investigation into the Trump campaign.

Then it was taken over by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein who gave up his control.

After President Trump suggested he'd had a role in firing James Coney, the FBI director looking into the case.

We have major breaking news right now. The U.S. Justice Department has just named a special counsel in the Russian investigation.

With public and political pressure mounting, Rosenstein appointed an outside figure to lead the investigation as special counsel.

A man seen as beholden to no one, Robert Mueller.

The director of the FBI before James Coney, Metapuzzo tells the story.

Mueller was nominated by George W. Bush in 2001.

While Mueller's term in office will last longer than my own.

And the next 10 years will bring new forms of crime.

New threats of terror from beyond our borders and within them.

Went before the Senate for his confirmation hearings.

I cannot promise perfection.

But I can commit to you and to the dedicated men and women of the FBI.

I'll do my very best to earn your faith and your respect.

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