fered in the election. By early 2017,
several congressional committees were examining Russia&#x2019;s interference in the
election.
</p><!--l. 20--><p class="indent" >   Within the Executive Branch, these investigatory efforts ultimately led to the May 2017
appointment of Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller, III. The order appointing the
Special Counsel authorized him to investigate ”the Russian government&#x2019;s efforts to
interfere in the 2016 presidential election,” including any links or coordinati