The Department of Justice released its official cost estimate regarding special counsel Robert Mueller’s months-long investigation of Russian-Trump collusion, revealing the agency has burned through nearly $7 million in tax payer money as it seeks to “get to the bottom” of Russia’s election interference.
The cost estimates cover a roughly five-month period, between the appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel on May 17th until Sept. 30th; meaning the figures will likely rise substantially as the investigation unfolds.
According to the Department of Justice, the costs are broken down into two distinct categories: Roughly $3.2 million spent directly by the special counsel’s office, and an addition $3.5 million spent on outside support of the investigation –such as overtime and additional FBI agents.
Mueller’s investigation is just one of three investigations into allegations the Trump administration “colluded” with Russian officials to sway the 2016 election away from Hillary Clinton; meaning the actual cost of the probes will likely reach tens of millions of tax payer dollars.
The release of Mueller’s budget comes just days after President Trump’s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to “intentionally” making false statements to the FBI regarding his relationship with the Russian ambassador.
Trump commented on Flynn’s admission earlier this week, blasting the FBI’s double standard; saying he “felt very badly” that the FBI had “ruined” Flynn’s life but had allowed Hillary Clinton to walk-away unscathed after repeatedly lying to the agency.