Special counsel is not a law passed by Congress. It’s strictly internal DOJ rules that could be changed immediately within the DOJ or even by presidential executive order.
Congress needs to man up and authorize their own special counsel. They’ve done it before.
Yes.
A Special Council in the executive branch investigating the president is inappropriate. It prevents the Chief Executive from controlling his DOJ.
Trump needs to tell Congress that they have 60 days to pass such a law so that they can continue Mueller's BS investigation if they want the investigation to continue. Then Trumps needs to warn Congress that he will fire Mueller in 60 days, whether they pass their own SC law or not.
There was a special counsel law, but it has expired.
The regulation appears to be 28 CFR 600.
From the NBC link:
“Rosenstein’s letter directs ‘an investigation into any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump” and also ‘any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.’”