Former CIA official to Americans on Special Counsel Mueller: 'Breathe easy

Former CIA official Phillip Mudd heaped praise upon praise for former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who was just named as special counsel for the investigation into the alleged collusion of the Trump campaign and the Russian government. He made the comments on CNN Wednesday.

"I understand you know Robert Mueller, you've worked with him," Wolf Blitzer asked. "What do you think?"

"For four and a half years of sitting down the hall from him I saw one two three times a day threaten meetings, personnel meetings, meetings with three attorneys general," Mudd answered.

"I can tell you, every American who thinks that this is a moment of turmoil, whether they like the president or not, should breathe easy tonight," he continued. "Robert Mueller is solid ground. I saw presidents, kings, prime ministers, secretaries of state, CIA directors, the former U.S. Attorney in New York said he's one of the best."

"He is not one of the best, Robert Mueller," Mudd emphasized. "He is, the best I ever saw. Leadership, judgement, decision-making, and I know him personally, he would hate me to say this, the man has a heart and a sense of humor."

"There is nobody better at doggedly pursuing a target without being subjected to any pressures from Congress," he added, "the president, the media, anybody in the FBI, the attorney general, the deputy attorney general."

"There is nobody better, Wolf, I can't say it any clearer," Mudd concluded.

Former CIA official Phil Mudd who knows Robert Mueller: "Breathe easy tonight," he's "the best I ever saw" https://t.co/ZNCssDP2Rv

— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) May 17, 2017

Mueller was named special prosecutor after many Democrats and opponents of the president demanded that the investigation be secured from the influence of the White House. The "Comey memo" revelation from the New York Times possibly helped spur the decision, as it alleges that Trump tried to shut down an FBI investigation into Mike Flynn, his former national security advisor.