Under 28 C.F.R. § 600.7, does a Special Counsel operate completely independent of the Attorney General's authority to modify the investigation scope?

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No. 28 C.F.R. § 600.7(b) explicitly authorizes the Attorney General to request explanations for any investigative or prosecutorial step and direct that inappropriate or unwarranted actions not be pursued. Section 600.7(d) gives the AG power to remove a Special Counsel for misconduct, dereliction of duty, or other good cause. While Special Counsel have substantial independence from day-to-day supervision, the AG retains direct authority to shape investigation scope and remove the Special Counsel entirely.

Under 28 C.F.R. § 600.7, does a Special Counsel operate completely independent of the Attorney General's authority to modify the investigation scope?

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