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Mueller report: no new indictments recommended, says DoJ official – live Mueller report: no new indictments recommended, says DoJ official – live
(30 minutes later)
How did the Mueller investigation manage to keep its secrets under wraps for two years?
My colleagues Oliver Laughland and Jon Swaine have a new article looking at the “leak-proof inquiry”:
Behind the walls of a nondescript concrete office building in south-west Washington DC, special counsel Robert Mueller has meticulously compiled one of the most important investigations in American history.
There have been 37 indictments or guilty pleas and 199 criminal charges. Five people, including some of Donald Trump’s closest former advisers, have been sent to prison.
And yet for all the political fallout, intrigue over Mueller’s prosecutorial strategy and obsession with the contents of his final report, the office of the special counsel has remained an almost sealed vessel.
Read the full report here.
Pardon the Mueller Time interruption, but my colleague Vivian Ho is reporting on a deeply concerning data breach by the US disaster relief agency:
The US disaster relief agency unnecessarily released sensitive identifiable data, including banking information, of 2.3m disaster survivors to an outside contractor, according to a report by theOffice of Inspector General.
The survivors, who were affected by hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as the 2017 wildfires in California , had provided their information to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) while applying for transitional sheltering in hotels.
Find the full article here.
Here’s a fun blast from the past, courtesy of historian Michael Beschloss. William Barr’s tie is a choice.
Attorney General William Barr and Assistant Attorney General Robert Mueller, 1991: #AP pic.twitter.com/PiYvFxQUIC
Here’s a small update on how the special counsel’s office will be wound down over the next few days:Here’s a small update on how the special counsel’s office will be wound down over the next few days:
Statement from Peter Carr, spokesman for the special counsel's office: "The Special Counsel will be concluding his service in the coming days. A small number of staff will remain to assist in closing the operations of the office for a period of time."Statement from Peter Carr, spokesman for the special counsel's office: "The Special Counsel will be concluding his service in the coming days. A small number of staff will remain to assist in closing the operations of the office for a period of time."
Tom McCarthy and Jon Swaine have also put together this helpful explainer with answers to all your most pressing questions about the Mueller report.Tom McCarthy and Jon Swaine have also put together this helpful explainer with answers to all your most pressing questions about the Mueller report.
One thing to keep in mind: there are still lots of other investigations into Trump. Per Tom and Jon:One thing to keep in mind: there are still lots of other investigations into Trump. Per Tom and Jon:
Are any other Trump-related investigations still ongoing?Are any other Trump-related investigations still ongoing?
Yes, lots. While the special counsel’s office has concluded its work, investigations taken up by federal prosecutors in the southern and eastern districts of New York continue, and prosecutors have also been active in the eastern district of Virginia and the District of Columbia. Unlike Mueller, those prosecutors are not bound by narrow authorizations dictating what activity they can investigate, and there is no pressure to hasten the investigations.Yes, lots. While the special counsel’s office has concluded its work, investigations taken up by federal prosecutors in the southern and eastern districts of New York continue, and prosecutors have also been active in the eastern district of Virginia and the District of Columbia. Unlike Mueller, those prosecutors are not bound by narrow authorizations dictating what activity they can investigate, and there is no pressure to hasten the investigations.
Congress is conducting separate investigations of Trump’s campaign and other matters. Evidence gathered by Mueller could feed those investigations.Congress is conducting separate investigations of Trump’s campaign and other matters. Evidence gathered by Mueller could feed those investigations.
Read the full article here.Read the full article here.
The investigation into President Trump’s campaign and administration is closer than ever to bringing the truth to light, and The Guardian is here to help bring clarity, analysis, and fact-based reporting to this critical moment in American history. But we need your help, too. More people, all around the world, are reading and supporting The Guardian’s independent, investigative journalism. And unlike many news organizations, we haven’t put up a paywall. We have chosen an approach that allows us to keep our reporting accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live or what they can afford. We hope you’ll consider making a contribution. Every contribution we receive goes directly into funding our journalism.The investigation into President Trump’s campaign and administration is closer than ever to bringing the truth to light, and The Guardian is here to help bring clarity, analysis, and fact-based reporting to this critical moment in American history. But we need your help, too. More people, all around the world, are reading and supporting The Guardian’s independent, investigative journalism. And unlike many news organizations, we haven’t put up a paywall. We have chosen an approach that allows us to keep our reporting accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live or what they can afford. We hope you’ll consider making a contribution. Every contribution we receive goes directly into funding our journalism.
Here’s my colleague Tom McCarthy on Robert Mueller, the “pain in the ass” who took on Trump:Here’s my colleague Tom McCarthy on Robert Mueller, the “pain in the ass” who took on Trump:
The formidable edifice of Mueller’s personal reputation built over a 50-year career as a public servant, which began with voluntary conscription in the US Marine Corps at age 21, featured multiple distinguished turns as a federal prosecutor and culminated with the top job at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.The formidable edifice of Mueller’s personal reputation built over a 50-year career as a public servant, which began with voluntary conscription in the US Marine Corps at age 21, featured multiple distinguished turns as a federal prosecutor and culminated with the top job at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Along the way, Mueller, 74, won a reputation among Republicans and Democrats alike as an intimidatingly hardworking, methodical and serious straight-shooter for whom personal integrity and adherence to the justice department playbook have always been granite-etched fact.Along the way, Mueller, 74, won a reputation among Republicans and Democrats alike as an intimidatingly hardworking, methodical and serious straight-shooter for whom personal integrity and adherence to the justice department playbook have always been granite-etched fact.
Read the full article here.Read the full article here.
Adam Schiff, chair of the House intelligence committee, has an important reminder about the “no new indictments” line from the Justice department: the special counsel’s investigation is not the only game in town.Adam Schiff, chair of the House intelligence committee, has an important reminder about the “no new indictments” line from the Justice department: the special counsel’s investigation is not the only game in town.
Schiff to @MSNBC on 'no further indictments': "It doesn't mean, of course, that Main Justice, or the Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney's office or the Eastern District or others may not bring indictments ... It's entirely possible ... there will be other indictments."Schiff to @MSNBC on 'no further indictments': "It doesn't mean, of course, that Main Justice, or the Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney's office or the Eastern District or others may not bring indictments ... It's entirely possible ... there will be other indictments."
A few more Democratic presidential candidates are out with statements demanding the complete release of the Mueller report.A few more Democratic presidential candidates are out with statements demanding the complete release of the Mueller report.
As Donald Trump said, “Let it come out." I call on the Trump administration to make Special Counsel Mueller's full report public as soon as possible. No one, including the president, is above the law.As Donald Trump said, “Let it come out." I call on the Trump administration to make Special Counsel Mueller's full report public as soon as possible. No one, including the president, is above the law.
Americans deserve to know the truth now that the Mueller report is complete. The report must be released immediately and AG Barr must publicly testify under oath about the investigation's findings. We need total transparency here.Americans deserve to know the truth now that the Mueller report is complete. The report must be released immediately and AG Barr must publicly testify under oath about the investigation's findings. We need total transparency here.
Release the Mueller report to the American people.Release the Mueller report to the American people.
NBC News has multiple sources confirming that Mueller is not recommending any further indictments.NBC News has multiple sources confirming that Mueller is not recommending any further indictments.
NBC News: Multiple senior U.S. law enforcement officials say that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Office will not be bringing forth any further indictments. Reported with @JuliaEAinsleyNBC News: Multiple senior U.S. law enforcement officials say that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Office will not be bringing forth any further indictments. Reported with @JuliaEAinsley
Lindsey Graham, chair of the Senate judiciary committee, has released a statement:Lindsey Graham, chair of the Senate judiciary committee, has released a statement:
The Department of Justice has notified me and Ranking Member Feinstein that the Mueller Report has been turned over to Attorney General Barr. This notification indicates that Attorney General Barr will pursue as much transparency as possible.The Department of Justice has notified me and Ranking Member Feinstein that the Mueller Report has been turned over to Attorney General Barr. This notification indicates that Attorney General Barr will pursue as much transparency as possible.
Importantly, the notification also indicates that there were no areas of disagreement between the Attorney General or the Acting Attorney General and Special Counsel Mueller regarding courses of action. This information is specifically required to be disclosed by the regulations governing Special Counsel reports.Importantly, the notification also indicates that there were no areas of disagreement between the Attorney General or the Acting Attorney General and Special Counsel Mueller regarding courses of action. This information is specifically required to be disclosed by the regulations governing Special Counsel reports.
I expect both Ranking Member Feinstein and I will be briefed more thoroughly about the report in the coming days.I expect both Ranking Member Feinstein and I will be briefed more thoroughly about the report in the coming days.
I will work with Ranking Member Feinstein and our House Judiciary Committee colleagues to ensure as much transparency as possible, consistent with the law.I will work with Ranking Member Feinstein and our House Judiciary Committee colleagues to ensure as much transparency as possible, consistent with the law.
I have always believed it was important that Mr. Mueller be allowed to do his job without interference, and that has been accomplished.”I have always believed it was important that Mr. Mueller be allowed to do his job without interference, and that has been accomplished.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar, another Democratic presidential hopeful, is also out with this call for the report to be made public: “The Mueller report should be released to the public. This decision is not about politics but about protecting our democracy. Now is the time to do the right thing. The American people deserve the truth.”Senator Amy Klobuchar, another Democratic presidential hopeful, is also out with this call for the report to be made public: “The Mueller report should be released to the public. This decision is not about politics but about protecting our democracy. Now is the time to do the right thing. The American people deserve the truth.”
BREAKING: Mueller is not recommending any further indictments in Russia probe - Senior Justice Department official https://t.co/U196YV5GTW pic.twitter.com/u4FFOQ122DBREAKING: Mueller is not recommending any further indictments in Russia probe - Senior Justice Department official https://t.co/U196YV5GTW pic.twitter.com/u4FFOQ122D
Mueller may have finished his report, but that doesn’t mean his work is entirely done. According to BuzzFeed News reporter Zoe Tillman, he and a few other staff will remain employed as they “close up the office”.
Note: DOJ spox says that Mueller will remain special counsel until a time TBD by Barr — Mueller and a small contingent staff are still in place to close up the office https://t.co/mV6jU8edB4
After that, well, this string of political reporters has some ideas for his future funemployment.
Mueller’s gonna just rest his eyes for a minute and then see if there are any Thin Mints still left in the freezer... https://t.co/safKK0KkE2
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And here’s a joint statement from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, calling for the public release of the full report:
Now that Special Counsel Mueller has submitted his report to the Attorney General, it is imperative for Mr. Barr to make the full report public and provide its underlying documentation and findings to Congress. Attorney General Barr must not give President Trump, his lawyers or his staff any ‘sneak preview’ of Special Counsel Mueller’s findings or evidence, and the White House must not be allowed to interfere in decisions about what parts of those findings or evidence are made public.
The Special Counsel’s investigation focused on questions that go to the integrity of our democracy itself: whether foreign powers corruptly interfered in our elections, and whether unlawful means were used to hinder that investigation. The American people have a right to the truth. The watchword is transparency.
The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, has also issued a response to the report. While he says he hopes for “as much openness and transparency as possible”, he is not demanding the immediate release of the full report.
Here’s the full statement:
I welcome the announcement that the Special Counsel has finally completed his investigation into Russia’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 elections. Many Republicans have long believed that Russia poses a significant threat to American interests. I hope the Special Counsel’s report will help inform and improve our efforts to protect our democracy.
I am grateful we have an experienced and capable Attorney General in place to review the Special Counsel’s report. Attorney General Barr now needs the time to do that.
The Attorney General has said he intends to provide as much information as possible. As I have said previously, I sincerely hope he will do so as soon as he can, and with as much openness and transparency as possible.
A number of Democratic lawmakers (and presidential hopefuls) are quick out of the gate with calls for the full release of the Mueller report.
This report should be made public immediately. https://t.co/Q2JCExqYaA
Attorney General Barr—release the Mueller report to the American public. Now. https://t.co/sqz8eoTjLD
Senator Mark Warner is the vice-chair of the Senate intelligence committee.
Congress and the American people deserve to judge the facts of the Mueller report for themselves. It must be provided to Congress immediately, and the AG should swiftly prepare a declassified version for the public. Nothing short of that will suffice.
Jerry Nadler is chair of the House judiciary committee.
A.G. Barr has confirmed the completion of the Special Counsel investigation. We look forward to getting the full Mueller report and related materials. Transparency and the public interest demand nothing less. The need for public faith in the rule of law must be the priority. pic.twitter.com/QYA2xCR1QW
President Trump’s attorneys have also responded to the report’s release, according to NBC News.
JUST IN: President Trump's attorneys on Mueller report submission:“We’re pleased that the Office of Special Counsel has delivered its report to the Attorney General pursuant to the regulations. Attorney General Barr will determine the appropriate next steps.”
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders issued a statement on the report’s release on Twitter.
The next steps are up to Attorney General Barr, and we look forward to the process taking its course. The White House has not received or been briefed on the Special Counsel’s report.
My colleague Jon Swaine has the context you need on the conclusion of special counsel Mueller’s investigation:
Mueller’s move signals the end of a sprawling criminal inquiry that has dominated the first two years of Donald Trump’s presidency, prompting furious attacks from Trump and his allies.
The investigation led to the criminal convictions of Trump’s campaign chairman, deputy chairman, personal attorney and two policy advisers. The president’s longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone was also indicted.
Mueller’s team secured criminal indictments of others, including more than two dozen Russians accused of involvement in Moscow’s interference in the 2016 US election, which US intelligence agencies concluded was aimed at helping Trump win.
Feverish anticipation of the “Mueller report” has grown for months, with critics of Trump hoping for a full public account of any links between his presidential campaign team and the Russian operation.
But by law Mueller’s report to the attorney general, William Barr, must explain only why his team of investigators decided to prosecute those people who were charged – and declined to pursue others.
It is now up to Barr, who was confirmed as Trump’s attorney general only last month, to decide how much information unearthed by Mueller is disclosed to Congress and the American public.
Read the full article here.
Here’s a picture of the full text of Barr’s letter to congressional leaders, from AP reporter Chad Day.
“I am reviewing the report and anticipate that I may be in a position to advise you of the Special Counsel’s principal conclusions as soon as this weekend,” Barr writes.
“Separately, I intend to consult with Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein and Special Counsel Mueller to determine what other information from the report can be released to Congress and the public consistent with the law, including the Special Counsel regulations, and the Department’s long-standing practices and policies. I remain committed to as much transparency as possible, and I will keep you informed as to the status of my review.”
The Mueller report is now in the hands of the attorney general, William Barr. The next step is for Barr to report to Congress, something that could happen “as soon as this weekend”, according to a letter he sent congressional leaders.
Barr notified congressional leaders in a letter that said he is "reviewing the report and anticipate that I may be in a position to advise you of the special counsel's principle conclusions as soon as this weekend." https://t.co/OAN03thTqY