A federal appeals court in Washington unanimously affirmed the validity of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s appointment Tuesday, rejecting a challenge brought by an associate of President Trump’s embattled longtime adviser Roger Stone. The opinion issued Tuesday was the first time an appeals court panel had reviewed the special counsel’s authority. “Special Counsel Mueller was properly appointed by a head of Department, who at the time was the Acting Attorney General,” according to the 16-page opinion written by Rogers. Kamenar, Miller’s attorney, has said Stone’s indictment might make Miller’s testimony unnecessary. Circuit was argued one day after Trump ousted Sessions as attorney general.

Source: Washington Post February 26, 2019 15:56 UTC