×

We must let the investigation play out

This time last week, we were listening to much speculation after news broke that the first indictments had been issued connected to the investigation into allegations of collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia.

On Monday, we learned indictments had been issued against former campaign manager Paul Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates on 12 federal charges.

Most of the charges were related to unreported foreign bank accounts, acting as a foreign agent without notifying the U.S. government, money laundering and making false statements.

We also learned George Papadopolous, who was reported to have been a part of the campaign’s foreign relations team, had plead guilty earlier this year to charges of lying to federal investigators.

Much has been said in the days since, with people on both sides making accusations, attacking each other and getting more into the political bickering.

The thing we all have to remember is that, for now, the investigation is continuing. We don’t know the outcome, and we won’t until it is over.

There could be more individuals indicted, or this could be all there is.

Keep in mind that, while everyone is focused on the Russia aspect of the investigation, that is not all that special counsel Robert Mueller and his team can look at.

If, while looking into the Russia allegations, they come upon any other potential crime, they can investigate it.

We don’t know what is currently being looked at. We don’t know who is being studied or interviewed. We don’t know when it will be over.

We simply don’t know anything, no matter what the politicians are trying to say.

There could be many more in the crosshairs, or this could be it.

As has been shown even locally, months of investigation could only lead to a few indictments.

There have been some who have raised accusations against the Democrats this week, as well.

It has been reported that the Clinton campaign was basically given full control over the Democratic National Committee operations during the election, helping to guarantee her nomination.

Whether that will be investigated is entirely up to the Justice Department. It won’t fall to Mueller to look into.

So, that could still all happen. It will just take some time.

There are so many ways this could all play out, but it must be allowed to do so.

This could all work out for the president, or it could bring down his entire administration.

It could pull in others who were not even involved in the campaign. It could pull in members of the Democratic campaigns. We don’t know, and we won’t know until everything has been completed and the charges, if any, are filed.

We are sitting on a powder keg because of the nation’s political climate.

There is going to be outrage no matter the results, but we still must let this investigation continue.

If other investigations are warranted, then it will be up to the current administration to order them. That’s completely within their authority.

It just so happens that the one investigation everyone knows about now — by a Republican former FBI director, appointed by a Republican deputy attorney general under the direction of a Republican president — is focused on possible cooperative efforts with Russia.

The Republican controlled Congress is conducting its own investigation.

They will all be able to look into other allegations, if they so choose. So, when someone starts throwing that out there, remember that it is entirely up to them as to whether anything else happens.

It’s natural to want to get things finished quickly, but that simply isn’t how government works.

People can push and yell and scream as much as they want, but it all takes time.

As for the rest of us, the best thing we all can do is to take off the political blinders — and I mean that for both sides of the spectrum — look at the situation logically, and then let the investigation continue until it is finished.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today