The Intercept,Dec. 22, 2017

Editor’s Picks Hypocrisy of the GOP For a half-century, civil rights groups have rightfully complained about the FBI operating as a rogue force that harasses, surveils, and arrests innocent citizens. In recent months, the right wing has joined this chorus, after the FBI began investigating the Trump campaign. The Intercept’s Trevor Aaronson reports on the exquisite irony of the right’s sudden concern with FBI excesses. While the FBI has indeed committed rampant abuses since its founding, its investigation of possible Russian interference in the 2016 election has been by the book. Reporter Jon Schwarz investigated another facet of GOP hypocrisy around the Russia investigation – the Republican Party’s willingness to meekly follow President Donald Trump if he tries to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Schwarz notes that the GOP has long been a lawless party connected to deceptions about the Vietnam War, Iran-Contra, Watergate, and more. We should not be surprised by its latest betrayals of law and democratic order. Peter Maass Senior Editor

The FBI Routinely Abuses Its Powers but the Trump Investigation Has Been By the Book Trevor Aaronson Republicans are suddenly upset about the FBI invading homes and surveilling citizens. Civil rights groups have complained about this for 50 years.   Republican Attacks on Robert Mueller Are Absurd. But the GOP Has Been Lawless for Decades. Jon Schwarz From Vietnam to Watergate, Iran-Contra and the Clinton impeachment, the Republican Party has proved itself an awesome force of lawlessness.