--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The special-counsel regulations were…" description: "\"The special-counsel regulations were drafted at a unique historical moment. We were approaching the end of President Bill Clinton's second term, and no..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/neal-katyal-8085_end_the-special-counsel-regulations-were-dra_579416.jpg" --- # The special-counsel regulations were drafted at a unique… ![“The special-counsel regulations were drafted at a unique historical moment. We were approaching the end of President Bill Clinton's second term, and no one knew who would be elected president the next year.” quote by Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/neal-katyal-8085_end_the-special-counsel-regulations-were-dra_579416.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/neal-katyal-8085_end_the-special-counsel-regulations-were-dra_579416.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/neal-katyal-8085_end_the-special-counsel-regulations-were-dra_579416.jpg) > “The special-counsel regulations were drafted at a unique historical moment. We were approaching the end of President Bill Clinton's second term, and no one knew who would be elected president the next year.” [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The special‑counsel rules were created during a transitional political period, leading to uncertainty about future leadership. **In simple terms:** Rules made during a political transition. Key Takeaway Recognize timing in policy creation. Themes political transition legal drafting uncertainty Mood analytical cautious Type legal historical When to use this quote - election cycles - legal reforms - government planning Key Concepts law government policy making Questions to Reflect On - How does political timing affect legal frameworks? - What safeguards can ensure continuity? A Different Perspective May limit long‑term stability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Appointing special counsel Robert Mueller to probe Russian meddling in the 2016 election (and any possible ties to President Trump's campaign) was the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/appointing-special-counsel-robert-mueller-to-probe-russian-meddling/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [The special counsel regulations were written to provide the public with confidence that justice was done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/the-special-counsel-regulations-were-written-to-provide-the-public/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [Some commentators have attacked the special counsel regulations as giving the attorney general the power to close a case against the president, as Mr.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/some-commentators-have-attacked-the-special-counsel-regulations-as/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [There's nothing in the Constitution that says the President stops being President in his last year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/there-s-nothing-in-the-constitution-that-says-the-president-stops/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [The idea that the special counsel regulations, which were written to provide the public with confidence against a coverup, would empower an attorney general…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/the-idea-that-the-special-counsel-regulations-which-were-written-to/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [President Bush earned $400,000 for his job as president last year. That's not really that much for being president when you think about it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/president-bush-earned-400-000-for-his-job-as-president-last-year-that/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [When it comes to investigating a president, the special counsel regulations I had the privilege of drafting in 1998-99 say that such inquiries have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-president-the-special-counsel/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [President Clinton invoked executive power a bunch of times... I think once he started doing that, the courts really pushed back on him. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/president-clinton-invoked-executive-power-a-bunch-of-times-i-think/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [The appointment of a special counsel, I think, helps assure people and the Justice Department that they are going to go do their jobs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/the-appointment-of-a-special-counsel-i-think-helps-assure-people-and/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [The special counsel has not advised Mr. Rove that he is a target of the investigation and affirmed that he has made no decision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-luskin/the-special-counsel-has-not-advised-mr-rove-that-he-is-a-target-of/) [Robert Luskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-luskin/) > [By definition, a Special Counsel is charged with investigating particular potential crimes, not all potential crimes wherever they may be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/by-definition-a-special-counsel-is-charged-with-investigating/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [They haul you up there for, you know, week after week in this kind of star chamber proceeding. Then at the end of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-babbitt/they-haul-you-up-there-for-you-know-week-after-week-in-this-kind-of/) [Bruce Babbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-babbitt/) > [I don't think the special counsel can avoid that question based upon the president's Donald Trump own statements. But I'm not charging obstruction of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-king/i-don-t-think-the-special-counsel-can-avoid-that-question-based-upon/) [Angus King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-king/) > [At the request of the special counsel, Mr. Rove will not discuss the substance of his testimony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-luskin/at-the-request-of-the-special-counsel-mr-rove-will-not-discuss-the/) [Robert Luskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-luskin/) > [When an issue is so fraught with partisanship, a special counsel provides some modicum of transparency and accountability rather the the veil of politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-plame/when-an-issue-is-so-fraught-with-partisanship-a-special-counsel/) [Valerie Plame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-plame/) ## More by Neal Katyal > [Presidents routinely testify in criminal cases. You know, George W. Bush did it with Valerie Plame. Bill Clinton did it three times with Ken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/presidents-routinely-testify-in-criminal-cases-you-know-george-w-bush/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [I used to walk down the Justice Department on the fifth floor and see all those portraits of legendary attorneys general, Griffin Bell and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/i-used-to-walk-down-the-justice-department-on-the-fifth-floor-and-see/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [The Supreme Court should televise its proceedings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/the-supreme-court-should-televise-its-proceedings/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [People tend to take more risks in groups than alone. For these reasons, the law has always treated conspiracy harshly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/people-tend-to-take-more-risks-in-groups-than-alone-for-these-reasons/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [The Supreme Court has been very clear: when it comes to religious discrimination, you can take intent into consideration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/the-supreme-court-has-been-very-clear-when-it-comes-to-religious/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [I like doing scholarship for its own sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/i-like-doing-scholarship-for-its-own-sake/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [I have no doubt that if confirmed, Judge Gorsuch would help to restore confidence in the rule of law. His years on the bench…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/i-have-no-doubt-that-if-confirmed-judge-gorsuch-would-help-to-restore/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [My wife is a doctor at a veteran's hospital.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/my-wife-is-a-doctor-at-a-veteran-s-hospital/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [There is no doubt that dissents can serve a useful role by explaining when a justice thinks the majority has gone off the deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/there-is-no-doubt-that-dissents-can-serve-a-useful-role-by-explaining/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [One of our Constitution's greatest virtues is that it looks to judges as a source of reasoned, practical, rights-minded decision making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/one-of-our-constitution-s-greatest-virtues-is-that-it-looks-to-judges/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [I generally sleep about four hours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/i-generally-sleep-about-four-hours/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [Appellate advocacy, particularly at the Supreme Court, is really intimate. I mean, you're just a few feet away from the Chief Justice. You know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/appellate-advocacy-particularly-at-the-supreme-court-is-really/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [Even though Mr. Trump can give his campaign as much of his own money as he wants to, he can't ask other people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/even-though-mr-trump-can-give-his-campaign-as-much-of-his-own-money/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [No responsible scholar who thinks a sitting president cannot be indicted also thinks an attorney general can try to truncate a process of oversight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/no-responsible-scholar-who-thinks-a-sitting-president-cannot-be/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [Justice Scalia was usually particularly challenging to me at oral argument, but I so respected his intellect and commitment to the pursuit of truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/justice-scalia-was-usually-particularly-challenging-to-me-at-oral/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) [Explore all 84 Neal Katyal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) ## More End quotes > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [I feel I handle the pressure situations well, and that's why I want to be there at the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ab-de-villiers/i-feel-i-handle-the-pressure-situations-well-and-that-s-why-i-want-to/) [AB de Villiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ab-de-villiers/) > [Dating someone on the opposite end of the happy spectrum teaches you an incredible amount of patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pine/dating-someone-on-the-opposite-end-of-the-happy-spectrum-teaches-you/) [Chris Pine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pine/) > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [“You are the end of beauty and creativity one must have created so far.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/you-are-the-end-of-beauty-and-creativity-one-must-have-created-so-far/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [I calculated that if I live up to the age of 80, then I end up using 450 toothbrushes in my life. All that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dia-mirza/i-calculated-that-if-i-live-up-to-the-age-of-80-then-i-end-up-using/) [Dia Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dia-mirza/) > [Obviously, I want to win, but at the same time, at the end of the day, it's a game and that's what I'm going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-rendon/obviously-i-want-to-win-but-at-the-same-time-at-the-end-of-the-day-it/) [Anthony Rendon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-rendon/) > [I loved Twitter. But I was going to end up saying something that would get me into trouble. I have kept a clean nose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/micah-richards/i-loved-twitter-but-i-was-going-to-end-up-saying-something-that-would/) [Micah Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/micah-richards/) > [I'm a humanist at heart: at the end of the day, we are all human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chet-faker/i-m-a-humanist-at-heart-at-the-end-of-the-day-we-are-all-human-beings/) [Chet Faker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chet-faker/) > [At the end of the day, winning games is the only thing that matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-vanvleet/at-the-end-of-the-day-winning-games-is-the-only-thing-that-matters/) [Fred VanVleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-vanvleet/) > [Fossil fuels, including oil, are running out and supplies are getting harder to find. If we do nothing, prices will continue to rise and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-powell/fossil-fuels-including-oil-are-running-out-and-supplies-are-getting/) [Lucy Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-powell/) > [My best business decision was to be independent as a musician and artist. My worst was compromising on certain aspects of a deal for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziggy-marley/my-best-business-decision-was-to-be-independent-as-a-musician-and/) [Ziggy Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziggy-marley/) > [Regular panelists on shows can be terrifying. They own that space, and many guest comics suspect they are favoured in the edit, while their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/regular-panelists-on-shows-can-be-terrifying-they-own-that-space-and/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [Our ape legs make us great generalists - we can walk, run and climb. But when you try to do too many things at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-roberts/our-ape-legs-make-us-great-generalists-we-can-walk-run-and-climb-but/) [Alice Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-roberts/) > [I have an intense dislike of doctrines, because you will always end up eating your words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yotam-ottolenghi/i-have-an-intense-dislike-of-doctrines-because-you-will-always-end-up/) [Yotam Ottolenghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yotam-ottolenghi/) Browse all 7,862 End quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The special-counsel regulations were drafted at a unique historical moment. 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