Expert: Special Prosecutor Would Come With Some Trade-Offs

North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr says he's troubled by the timing of this week's firing of FBI Director James Comey, but is resisting the call for an independent special prosecutor.

A Senate investigation is looking into possible ties between Russia and the Trump campaign. Burr is among several key Republicans who argue that the investigators should be allowed to continue that job in lieu of hiring an outside prosecutor.

Katy Harriger is a professor of politics at Wake Forest University and the author of “The Special Prosecutor in American Politics.” She says appointing one in this case would mean making some trade-offs.

“I think the most important thing is that people understand that special prosecutors are not the silver bullet in circumstances like this,” she says.

“Sometimes you don't get all the information of what's happening because the tradition is prosecutors don't talk while they're doing investigations; that many of the things people did wrong may be wrong but not criminal,” Harringer says. “And oftentimes Congress is the better body to get us that kind of information, through hearings, particularly public hearings.”   

Harriger says public opinion will be a major factor in whether or not a special prosecutor is appointed. If enough people voice concerns about the investigation, it could lead Congress to make that move.