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July/August 2019 73

to transform a political conjuncture—to perceive and seize opportuni-

ties that others fail to recognize, to turn impossible situations into break-

throughs. No small degree o luck is involved, but a vision o the future

and supreme tactical adroitness are decisive. Also, those transformative

individuals usually occupy the highest positions in political and social

life: presidents (Ronald Reagan), secretaries o state (George Marshall),

Federal Reserve chairs (Paul Volcker), movement leaders (Martin Luther

King, Jr.). The o‡ce o the special counsel—a temporary employee o

the Department o Justice—does not lend itsel to such transformative

powers. Those who hoped that Mueller would rescue the republic

freighted his role beyond its capacity. But did taxpayers nonetheless

have a right to expect more than what Mueller delivered?

Rarely have Americans been treated to so much truthful—and at-

tributed—information about the workings o their government’s ex-

ecutive branch. For all the media malpractice, the Mueller report

vindicates much o the investigative reporting o The New York Times,

The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Unlike those publica-

tions, Mueller was under no obligation to protect his sources by

granting anonymity. Notwithstanding the enormous leverage derived

from the ability to subpoena witnesses and levy criminal charges,

moreover, the special counsel bent over backward to be fair to Trump

by presenting exculpatory evidence alongside the incriminating, em-

ploying a high bar to de’ne what would count as “coordination” o a

GRIGORY

DUKOR

/ REUTERS

From Russia with love: Trump and Putin at a news conference in Helsinki, July 2018

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