Expert: Extending FBI Chief Term is 'Unconstitutional'

Written by FrumForum News on Wednesday June 8, 2011

The Hill reports:

Senators pushed forward with a hearing Wednesday on whether to extend FBI Director Robert Mueller’s term by two years even as one legal expert testified that the move would be unconstitutional.

Some of the lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee expressed concern that extending Mueller’s term beyond the 10-year limit could set a dangerous precedent, though the majority of senators on the panel supported the extension, which was proposed by President Obama last month.

“Changing the tenured term limit is a one-time situation that will not be routinely repeated,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), the committee's ranking Republican.

Mueller said he didn’t immediately agree with Obama that an extension of his term was the best thing for the future of the FBI. But after much thought and advice from friends, colleagues, and his family, Mueller said he agreed to stay on if Congress votes in favor of the move.

Category: The Feed