NPR reader poll: Mueller is top political story of 2017

NPR readers voted special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russia’s election interference as the top political story of 2017.

Readers voting in a March Madness-style poll on Twitter ultimately chose Mueller’s investigation for the top spot, edging out stories about the impact of sexual harassment revelations and the #MeToo movement.

{mosads}The Women’s March and President Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey also made the final four.

A look at the final two brackets out of 285 submitted. Nice work all around. Good conversations had on the news merits of the match ups. @davesteadman @courtneyknorris pic.twitter.com/a8FSxZ5mTh

— Domenico Montanaro (@DomenicoNPR) December 29, 2017

Mueller has filed charges against four people so far in his probe. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his business associate Richard Gates are both facing charges, and have pleaded “not guilty.”

Former Trump campaign staffer George Papadopoulos and former national security adviser Michael Flynn have both pleaded guilty to charges in the probe.

Trump has attacked the probe into Russia’s election meddling and possible collusion with his campaign as a “witch hunt” in the past, but told The New York Times on Thursday that he expects Mueller to treat him fairly.

Allegations of sexual misconduct have also emerged as a top story as explosive reports reveal inappropriate conduct by figures such as Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and numerous lawmakers.

Several lawmakers have resigned or announced their retirements in recent weeks amid allegations of sexual misconduct.