Last week, the Wall Street Journal editorial board suggested that Special Counsel Robert Mueller should resign:
Mr. Mueller is a former FBI director, and for years he worked closely with Mr. Comey. It is no slur against Mr. Mueller’s integrity to say that he lacks the critical distance to conduct a credible probe of the bureau he ran for a dozen years. He could best serve the country by resigning to prevent further political turmoil over that conflict of interest.
This is a serious lapse in judgement, one that could both weaken faith in democratic institutions and imperil the GOP effort for tax reform. The original appointment of a Special Counsel was brought about by the President’s ill-advised decision to fire then FBI Director James Comey. That decision plunged the country into weeks of controversy centered around whether and why the White House was attempting to obstruct justice. That controversy stalled the GOP’s legislative agenda, and weakened its already divided caucus. The nation is not ready for another round.
Moreover, if there is one thing that economics has reaffirmed over the past half-century it is that national prosperity depends both on strong incentives for entrepreneurship and a deep faith in the rule of law. Interference of any kind in the ongoing investigation by Special Counsel Mueller strikes a blow at both those pillars. Faith in the rule-of-law will be weakened and the once-in-a-generation efforts at tax reform will be stalled.
For the sake of future prosperity, continuity must be maintained.