Montini: Rep. Andy Biggs should shut up about Robert Mueller

Rep. Andy Biggs believes that special counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the investigation into Russian tampering in the presidential election and possible collusion with President Donald Trump’s campaign, cannot be trusted.

Biggs believes that Mueller is an ethically-challenged hack who is “incapable” of being unbiased and is leading a partisan “witch hunt.”

Biggs’s characterization is 100 percent correct.

Not about Mueller.

About himself.

Biggs is clearly one of Trump's toadies

During his time in the Arizona Legislature and now in Congress, Biggs has proven beyond any doubt that he is an unapologetic partisan hack who is incapable of being unbiased.

And since this past summer, when Biggs first called for Mueller to recuse himself, the Arizona congressman has proven to be one of most vocal Trump toadies in Washington.

That’s pathetic, but expected.

However, criticizing Mueller?

With all due respect to the congressman – or at least with all due respect to the office he holds – Biggs should just … shut … up.

Each time Biggs badmouths Mueller he opens himself up to comparison with the special counsel.

And it ain’t pretty.

These are Andy Biggs' claims to fame

Biggs’s claim to fame, such as it is, was winning a $10 million Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes prize.

A sudden man of leisure, he was able to enter politics.

Once in the state Legislature Biggs was nothing but a partisan Republican, doing everything he could to keep the Democratic minority completely out of the legislative process.

Just a partial list of his shameless efforts would include fighting against the restoration of KidsCare health coverage for 20,000 needy Arizona children.

And attending an event with the Oath Keepers in which the founder called Sen. John McCain a traitor who should be “hung by the neck until dead.”

And, in Congress, voting against the Hurricane Harvey relief bill.

Compare those to Robert Mueller

Match this against the career of Robert Mueller.

He is a man in his 70s who attended Princeton University and could have avoided military service during the Vietnam era. Instead, he joined the Marines, leading a rifle platoon of the 3rd Marine Division. During his tour he received a Bronze Star with Valor, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

(Meantime, Biggs seems to be afraid to meet with constituents who might disagree with him.)

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In a recent ham-handed essay for USA TODAY Biggs wrote, “Mueller has demonstrated he is incapable of leading a focused, unbiased review of his initial assignment. His witch hunt must end.”

Mueller attended law school and went to work in the justice department. Among other cases he prosecuted Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. He oversaw the Lockerbie bombing case.

Mueller has never acted partisan

He was appointed director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation by President George W. Bush, and served into the Obama administration, having been confirmed by Republicans and Democrats unanimously – several times – eventually becoming the second longest serving FBI director behind J. Edgar Hoover.

Since then he has taught at universities and has worked on several other investigations before being named special counsel.

His integrity has never been questioned. He’s never been politically partisan. So, why would he start acting that way now?

If you’re looking for someone to lead a partisan witch hunt Mueller would be the last guy you’d pick.

Biggs, on the other hand …

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