Washington, Nov. 19 -- US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the appointment of a special counsel to oversee investigations related to former President Donald Trump.

The announcement on Friday came days after Trump launched his official third bid for the White House, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Based on recent developments, including the former president's announcement that he is a candidate for president in the next election, and the sitting president's stated intention to be a candidate as well, I have concluded that it is in the public interest to appoint a special counsel," Garland said in a statement.

President Joe Biden has said that he intends to seek re-election and that he would likely make an official decision "early...