Whereas, on January 6, 2017, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a report concluding that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election , that the goal of this campaign was to undermine public faith in the US democratic process , and that Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump ; Whereas, on March 20, 2017, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) testified that he was authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI is investigating whether there was any coordination between individuals associated with the Trump presidential campaign and the Russian Government; Whereas part 600 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on March 7, 2019 (in this resolution referred to as Special Counsel Regulations ), provides for the appointment of a Special Counsel when the Attorney General or Acting Attorney General determines that criminal investigation of a person or matter is warranted and—(a) That investigation * * * by a United States Attorney’s Office or litigating Division of the Department of Justice would present a conflict of interest for the Department or other extraordinary circumstances; and (b) That under the circumstances, it would be in the public interest to appoint an outside Special Counsel to assume responsibility for the matter ; Whereas the Special Counsel Regulations call for any individual named as Special Counsel to be a lawyer with a reputation for integrity and impartial decision making and with appropriate experience to ensure that both the investigation will be conducted ably, expeditiously and thoroughly, and that investigative and prosecutorial decisions will be supported by an informed understanding of the criminal law and Department of Justice policies