--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When it comes to investigating a…" description: "\"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 one..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18e/neal-katyal-8085_congress_when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-preside_483862.jpg" --- # When it comes to investigating a president, the special… ![“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 one ultimate destination: Congress.” quote by Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18e/neal-katyal-8085_congress_when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-preside_483862.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18e/neal-katyal-8085_congress_when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-preside_483862.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18e/neal-katyal-8085_congress_when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-preside_483862.jpg) > “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 one ultimate destination: Congress.” [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. Investigations of a president are ultimately directed to Congress, per the special counsel rules drafted in the late 1990s. **In simple terms:** Presidential probes end at Congress. Key Takeaway Understand the legal pathway of investigations. Themes law government accountability Mood analytical serious Type legal political When to use this quote - Congressional hearings - media coverage - public policy debates Key Concepts constitutional law political process Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards ensure impartial investigations? - How do these rules affect executive power? A Different Perspective Political pressure can influence investigative outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Counsel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counsel/) [Destination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destination/) [Privilege](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/privilege/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/the-special-counsel-regulations-were-drafted-at-a-unique-historical/) [Neal Katyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [If Barr wants to keep defending Trump, he should take a page from one of his predecessors, Henry Stanbery, who stepped down as attorney…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/if-barr-wants-to-keep-defending-trump-he-should-take-a-page-from-one/) [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/) > [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/) > [Over the years, I have created close friendships with many successful men, many of whom I have made a lot of money for through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-roth/over-the-years-i-have-created-close-friendships-with-many-successful/) [Carol Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-roth/) > [Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/take-counsel-in-wine-but-resolve-afterwards-in-water/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## 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 Congress quotes > [Well, my wife, Cathy Gillespie, worked for Joe Barton, who was running for Congress in 1984.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-gillespie/well-my-wife-cathy-gillespie-worked-for-joe-barton-who-was-running/) [Ed Gillespie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-gillespie/) > [We will make sure our troops have all that is necessary to complete their missions. That's why I went to the Congress last September…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/we-will-make-sure-our-troops-have-all-that-is-necessary-to-complete/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) > [So our focus has to be on the things that we can control, which is to take the necessary measures working with Congress to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-carney/so-our-focus-has-to-be-on-the-things-that-we-can-control-which-is-to/) [Jay Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-carney/) > [It's disgraceful that year after year, Congress has bowed to the tobacco lobby and refused to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/it-s-disgraceful-that-year-after-year-congress-has-bowed-to-the/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [“ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/united-states-congress/congress-shall-make-no-law-respecting-an-establishment-of-religion-or/) United States Congress > [As the longest serving Independent in the history of the United States Congress, as somebody who came into office by defeating an incumbent Democratic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/as-the-longest-serving-independent-in-the-history-of-the-united/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [As the first Member of Congress from western Washington to serve on the House Agriculture Committee in over 50 years, I am proud to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-larsen/as-the-first-member-of-congress-from-western-washington-to-serve-on/) [Rick Larsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-larsen/) > [About one-half of the members of Congress are seekers for office at the nomination of the President. Of the remainder, at least one-half have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/about-one-half-of-the-members-of-congress-are-seekers-for-office-at/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [My younger self could not imagine standing on the floor of Congress as a member of Congress voting on legislation that, if enacted, would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritchie-torres/my-younger-self-could-not-imagine-standing-on-the-floor-of-congress/) [Ritchie Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritchie-torres/) > [Rahul Gandhi cannot be a prime minister because he is a citizen of Britain, and his Indian citizenship will be cancelled; he won't even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subramanian-swamy/rahul-gandhi-cannot-be-a-prime-minister-because-he-is-a-citizen-of/) [Subramanian Swamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subramanian-swamy/) > [We need less travelling by jet plaes from congress to congress... but more kneeling and praying and pleading to God to have mercy on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn-lloyd-jones/we-need-less-travelling-by-jet-plaes-from-congress-to-congress-but/) [Martyn Lloyd-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn-lloyd-jones/) > [Well I think that what we're seeing now is that the people feel like they, the people in Congress don't have their consent to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/well-i-think-that-what-we-re-seeing-now-is-that-the-people-feel-like/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) [Browse all 3,400 Congress quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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 one ultimate destination: Congress.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neal Katyal" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-president-the-special-counsel/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Congress" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-president-the-special-counsel/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18e/neal-katyal-8085_congress_when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-preside_483862.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18e/neal-katyal-8085_congress_when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-preside_483862.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18e/neal-katyal-8085_congress_when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-preside_483862.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When it comes to investigating a president, the special counsel regulations I had the privilege of drafting…” — Neal Katyal", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Neal Katyal", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-katyal/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When it comes to investigating a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-president-the-special-counsel/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-katyal/when-it-comes-to-investigating-a-president-the-special-counsel/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```