A former FBI boss has been named special counsel to oversee an inquiry into Russia's alleged meddling in the election and any Trump campaign ties.
In naming Robert Mueller, the deputy attorney general said it was in the public interest to have an outsider, reports the BBC.
The appointment was widely endorsed by politicians from both sides.
Calls for a special investigation had mounted since President Donald Trump fired the most recent FBI director, James Comey, last week.
The announcement apparently took the White House by surprise, with Trump only being informed of it after Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had signed the order.
The FBI and Congress are looking into potential links between Trump's campaign team and Russia. Mueller will take over the FBI investigation.
US intelligence agencies believe Moscow tried to tip the election in favour of Trump.
Meanwhile the New York Times reports that Trump aide Michael Flynn had told his transition team in early January - earlier than was previously thought - that he was under investigation for working as a paid lobbyist for Turkey during the election campaign.
Trump appointed Flynn as his national security adviser weeks later despite the warning, but he was sacked after just 24 days.
Mueller, who will have wide-ranging powers, said simply: “I accept this responsibility and will discharge it to the best of my ability.”
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