This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/apr/18/mueller-report-release-donald-trump-latest-news-live-updates-analysis-key-points
The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 21 | Version 22 |
|---|---|
| Mueller report: Democrats round on Barr over 'misleading' Trump exoneration – as it happened | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| So that was a day. | |
| President Trump continued to express himself on Twitter: “I had the right to end the whole Witch Hunt if I wanted. I could have fired everyone, including Mueller, if I wanted.” | |
| House Democrats appear to be mobilizing and planning their next move, with committee chairs issuing joint statement, some freshman congresswomen saying they’ll sign an impeachment resolution, and Nancy Pelosi declaring, “Congress will not be silent.” | |
| And we had SOME fun, of course. And then some more. | |
| House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi appears to be rallying the House Democrats, sending a letter to her colleagues and planning for a Monday conference call to discuss the Mueller report. | House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi appears to be rallying the House Democrats, sending a letter to her colleagues and planning for a Monday conference call to discuss the Mueller report. |
| NEW.. PELOSI announces Monday conference call in letter to democrats and says this: pic.twitter.com/1wihPbLBqO | NEW.. PELOSI announces Monday conference call in letter to democrats and says this: pic.twitter.com/1wihPbLBqO |
| President Trump has been tweeting about the Mueller report for almost 12 hours now. | President Trump has been tweeting about the Mueller report for almost 12 hours now. |
| Anything the Russians did concerning the 2016 Election was done while Obama was President. He was told about it and did nothing! Most importantly, the vote was not affected. | Anything the Russians did concerning the 2016 Election was done while Obama was President. He was told about it and did nothing! Most importantly, the vote was not affected. |
| The Mueller report may possibly be the most-read document in the country at this point, but it’s not doing so hot on Goodreads. | The Mueller report may possibly be the most-read document in the country at this point, but it’s not doing so hot on Goodreads. |
| From the one review: “The previous owner used a black highlighter on all the interesting bits and the main character has no redeeming qualities.” | From the one review: “The previous owner used a black highlighter on all the interesting bits and the main character has no redeeming qualities.” |
| "the mueller report" has one review on Goodreads pic.twitter.com/hnKbL0CZBV | "the mueller report" has one review on Goodreads pic.twitter.com/hnKbL0CZBV |
| Congresswoman Omar joins fellow Democratic freshman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in signing Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib’s resolution. | Congresswoman Omar joins fellow Democratic freshman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in signing Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib’s resolution. |
| Impeachment is part of our constitutional responsibility. We have an obligation to investigate whether the President committed impeachable offenses, including:-Obstruction of justice-Violating the Emoluments Clause-Collusion-Abuse of power https://t.co/Sq907gs7eF | Impeachment is part of our constitutional responsibility. We have an obligation to investigate whether the President committed impeachable offenses, including:-Obstruction of justice-Violating the Emoluments Clause-Collusion-Abuse of power https://t.co/Sq907gs7eF |
| A little bit of levity to lighten a day full of the Mueller report: | A little bit of levity to lighten a day full of the Mueller report: |
| THREAD: mueller report redactions as red carpet looks | THREAD: mueller report redactions as red carpet looks |
| page 33 — emma watson at the 2013 cannes film festival pic.twitter.com/gpiDUYbZD1 | page 33 — emma watson at the 2013 cannes film festival pic.twitter.com/gpiDUYbZD1 |
| page 28 — lady gaga at the 5th annual fashion los angeles awards pic.twitter.com/LVfuqtgAxG | page 28 — lady gaga at the 5th annual fashion los angeles awards pic.twitter.com/LVfuqtgAxG |
| page 20 — billy porter at the 2019 oscars pic.twitter.com/UscWW8Yt8K | page 20 — billy porter at the 2019 oscars pic.twitter.com/UscWW8Yt8K |
| page 30 — kit harington at the 2018 golden globes pic.twitter.com/XhHWmfA1HN | page 30 — kit harington at the 2018 golden globes pic.twitter.com/XhHWmfA1HN |
| page d-5 — janelle monaé at the warner bros. "creed" premiere pic.twitter.com/6fsTkV4UNo | page d-5 — janelle monaé at the warner bros. "creed" premiere pic.twitter.com/6fsTkV4UNo |
| page 133 — sarah paulson at the 21st SAG awards pic.twitter.com/ugBvgmO8Dy | page 133 — sarah paulson at the 21st SAG awards pic.twitter.com/ugBvgmO8Dy |
| The House Democratic committee chairs issued a joint statement noting that they are “profoundly troubled by the astonishing efforts by President Trump identified in the report to obstruct justice”. | The House Democratic committee chairs issued a joint statement noting that they are “profoundly troubled by the astonishing efforts by President Trump identified in the report to obstruct justice”. |
| “It is now Congress’ responsibility to review and assess the evidence.” | “It is now Congress’ responsibility to review and assess the evidence.” |
| Well this is unusual. The chairs of SIX House committees (Intel, Judiciary, Oversight, Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, Ways & Means) just issued a joint statement on Mueller's report and what should come next. pic.twitter.com/pN3fDxX8Pl | Well this is unusual. The chairs of SIX House committees (Intel, Judiciary, Oversight, Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, Ways & Means) just issued a joint statement on Mueller's report and what should come next. pic.twitter.com/pN3fDxX8Pl |
| The eight Congressional leaders who are briefed on classified intelligence matters will be allowed access to the less redacted Mueller report in an in-camera review on Monday, with the order that the redacted portions remain confidential. | The eight Congressional leaders who are briefed on classified intelligence matters will be allowed access to the less redacted Mueller report in an in-camera review on Monday, with the order that the redacted portions remain confidential. |
| Gang of Eight can get access to less redacted Mueller report starting Monday, per new Barr letter. pic.twitter.com/jkbeiqTvYc | Gang of Eight can get access to less redacted Mueller report starting Monday, per new Barr letter. pic.twitter.com/jkbeiqTvYc |
| President Trump continues to double down on his defense that the Mueller probe was all a witch hunt. | President Trump continues to double down on his defense that the Mueller probe was all a witch hunt. |
| “Donald Trump was being framed, he fought back. That is not Obstruction.” @JesseBWatters I had the right to end the whole Witch Hunt if I wanted. I could have fired everyone, including Mueller, if I wanted. I chose not to. I had the RIGHT to use Executive Privilege. I didn’t! | “Donald Trump was being framed, he fought back. That is not Obstruction.” @JesseBWatters I had the right to end the whole Witch Hunt if I wanted. I could have fired everyone, including Mueller, if I wanted. I chose not to. I had the RIGHT to use Executive Privilege. I didn’t! |
| Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter to make her sentiments clear. | Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter to make her sentiments clear. |
| Mueller’s report is clear in pointing to Congress’ responsibility in investigating obstruction of justice by the President.It is our job as outlined in Article 1, Sec 2, Clause 5 of the US Constitution.As such, I’ll be signing onto @RashidaTlaib’s impeachment resolution. https://t.co/CgPZJiULOL | Mueller’s report is clear in pointing to Congress’ responsibility in investigating obstruction of justice by the President.It is our job as outlined in Article 1, Sec 2, Clause 5 of the US Constitution.As such, I’ll be signing onto @RashidaTlaib’s impeachment resolution. https://t.co/CgPZJiULOL |
| Mueller “described 11 instances in which Donald Trump or his campaign engaged in potential obstruction of justice and suggested Congress might prosecute these acts as crimes.” | Mueller “described 11 instances in which Donald Trump or his campaign engaged in potential obstruction of justice and suggested Congress might prosecute these acts as crimes.” |
| Mueller links Trump and campaign to 11 instances of potential obstruction | Mueller links Trump and campaign to 11 instances of potential obstruction |
| Over in Washington, Sabrina Siddiqui has a rundown of some key takeaways from the Trump-Russia investigation, including that the Trump campaign was “receptive” to help from the Russians. | Over in Washington, Sabrina Siddiqui has a rundown of some key takeaways from the Trump-Russia investigation, including that the Trump campaign was “receptive” to help from the Russians. |
| Mueller report: the key takeaways from the Trump-Russia investigation | Mueller report: the key takeaways from the Trump-Russia investigation |
| Jon Swaine provides us with some much needed analysis: “Any other president in America’s history would have had to resign or now face being ousted. But no past president has so frequently denied reality, nor seemed so unfamiliar with the very concept of shame.” | Jon Swaine provides us with some much needed analysis: “Any other president in America’s history would have had to resign or now face being ousted. But no past president has so frequently denied reality, nor seemed so unfamiliar with the very concept of shame.” |
| Mueller's report would have signaled the end for anyone other than Trump | Mueller's report would have signaled the end for anyone other than Trump |
| Washington bureau chief David Smith takes a look at how Democrats are mobilizing in the wake of the explosive report. | Washington bureau chief David Smith takes a look at how Democrats are mobilizing in the wake of the explosive report. |
| Trump claims 'game over' on Mueller report as Democrats say game on | Trump claims 'game over' on Mueller report as Democrats say game on |
| Julian Borger and Marc Bennetts report that Trump claimed to have known in advance about the publication on the WikiLeaks website of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton. | Julian Borger and Marc Bennetts report that Trump claimed to have known in advance about the publication on the WikiLeaks website of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton. |
| Trump claimed he knew about damaging Clinton emails in advance | Trump claimed he knew about damaging Clinton emails in advance |
| Over in Opinion, Richard Wolffe weighs in: “An entire crew of Trump staffers worked diligently together with several crews of Russians both before and after the 2016 election. George Papadopolous, Jared Kushner, Donald Trump Jr, Carter Page, Paul Manafort, Erik Prince, Steven Bannon, Michael Flynn: there are more than enough Trumpsters in the Mueller section on Russia to prove collusion. The only problem is that collusion doesn’t exist as a legal concept.” | Over in Opinion, Richard Wolffe weighs in: “An entire crew of Trump staffers worked diligently together with several crews of Russians both before and after the 2016 election. George Papadopolous, Jared Kushner, Donald Trump Jr, Carter Page, Paul Manafort, Erik Prince, Steven Bannon, Michael Flynn: there are more than enough Trumpsters in the Mueller section on Russia to prove collusion. The only problem is that collusion doesn’t exist as a legal concept.” |
| Of course Trump colluded with Russia. But unfortunately that's not a crime | Richard Wolffe | Of course Trump colluded with Russia. But unfortunately that's not a crime | Richard Wolffe |
| Hey all, Vivian Ho on the west coast, taking over for Lauren Gambino. What a day. | Hey all, Vivian Ho on the west coast, taking over for Lauren Gambino. What a day. |
| The release of the redacted Mueller report is a reminder that the Russian government doesn’t necessarily need to equip its spies with wigs, fake teeth, and poisoned umbrellas; US social media platforms provided the influence operation with a ready made platform for creating false identities. | The release of the redacted Mueller report is a reminder that the Russian government doesn’t necessarily need to equip its spies with wigs, fake teeth, and poisoned umbrellas; US social media platforms provided the influence operation with a ready made platform for creating false identities. |
| Facebook is mentioned 81 times in the redacted report; by comparison, Ivanka Trump’s name comes up just 15 times. Other platforms that merited a mention include Twitter (68), Instagram (7), Google (6), YouTube (5) and Tumblr (1). | Facebook is mentioned 81 times in the redacted report; by comparison, Ivanka Trump’s name comes up just 15 times. Other platforms that merited a mention include Twitter (68), Instagram (7), Google (6), YouTube (5) and Tumblr (1). |
| Much of the detail of how the operation leveraged these platforms to influence Americans has already been made public through congressional testimony, federal indictments and academic research. The Internet Research Agency (IRA) began building up its social media presence in 2014, with “specialists” focusing on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. | Much of the detail of how the operation leveraged these platforms to influence Americans has already been made public through congressional testimony, federal indictments and academic research. The Internet Research Agency (IRA) began building up its social media presence in 2014, with “specialists” focusing on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. |
| Still, the un-redacted portions of the report appear to provide some previously unreported details of the extent to which the Internet Research Agency (IRA) was able to manipulate unwitting Americans. IRA agents were able to recruit individuals to “perform political acts”, including “walking around New York City dressed up as Santa Claus with a Trump mask”. | Still, the un-redacted portions of the report appear to provide some previously unreported details of the extent to which the Internet Research Agency (IRA) was able to manipulate unwitting Americans. IRA agents were able to recruit individuals to “perform political acts”, including “walking around New York City dressed up as Santa Claus with a Trump mask”. |
| The report makes clear that Facebook groups – the semi-private message boards within Facebook – were a major factor in the IRA’s success on the platform, alongside public pages and advertisements. One group, “United Muslims of America”, had more than 300,000 members, while “Don’t Shoot Us” had more than 250,000. | The report makes clear that Facebook groups – the semi-private message boards within Facebook – were a major factor in the IRA’s success on the platform, alongside public pages and advertisements. One group, “United Muslims of America”, had more than 300,000 members, while “Don’t Shoot Us” had more than 250,000. |
| Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly touted Facebook groups as a key product that he argues will help Facebook achieve its mission of bringing the world closer together. The Guardian has previously reported on how the groups can also be hotbeds of extremism and misinformation. | Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly touted Facebook groups as a key product that he argues will help Facebook achieve its mission of bringing the world closer together. The Guardian has previously reported on how the groups can also be hotbeds of extremism and misinformation. |
| The report also points out that the IRA accounts were promoted by close allies and advisors of the Trump campaign. One IRA-controlled Twitter account was retweeted by Trump’s two adult sons, Donald Jr and Eric, former campaign manager and senior advisor Kellyanne Conway, political aide Brad Parscale (who is now managing Trump’s re-election campaign) and former national security advisor Michael Flynn. Trump’s own Facebook page also posted photographs taken at a political rally organized by the IRA. | The report also points out that the IRA accounts were promoted by close allies and advisors of the Trump campaign. One IRA-controlled Twitter account was retweeted by Trump’s two adult sons, Donald Jr and Eric, former campaign manager and senior advisor Kellyanne Conway, political aide Brad Parscale (who is now managing Trump’s re-election campaign) and former national security advisor Michael Flynn. Trump’s own Facebook page also posted photographs taken at a political rally organized by the IRA. |
| “Mr Trump posted about our event in Miami,” an IRA-controlled account wrote in response to the Facebook post. “This is great!” | “Mr Trump posted about our event in Miami,” an IRA-controlled account wrote in response to the Facebook post. “This is great!” |
| The Guardian’s Ed Pilkington spotted this important passage as he fastidiously pours over the 448-page document. | The Guardian’s Ed Pilkington spotted this important passage as he fastidiously pours over the 448-page document. |
| Mueller lays out clear evidence that Trump attempted to lean on a couple of key witnesses to deflect the Russia inquiry away from him. The first was Paul Manafort. | Mueller lays out clear evidence that Trump attempted to lean on a couple of key witnesses to deflect the Russia inquiry away from him. The first was Paul Manafort. |
| Mueller recounts how Trump essentially dangled the promise of a pardon in front of his former campaign manager. “The president made repeated statements suggesting that a pardon was a possibility for Manafort, while also making it clear that the president did not want Manafort to ‘flip’.” | Mueller recounts how Trump essentially dangled the promise of a pardon in front of his former campaign manager. “The president made repeated statements suggesting that a pardon was a possibility for Manafort, while also making it clear that the president did not want Manafort to ‘flip’.” |
| The report concludes that “with respect to Manafort, there is evidence that the president’s actions had the potential to influence Manafort’s decision whether to cooperate with the government.” | The report concludes that “with respect to Manafort, there is evidence that the president’s actions had the potential to influence Manafort’s decision whether to cooperate with the government.” |
| The second key witness was former White House counsel Don McGahn. Not only did Trump order McGahn to fire Mueller himself at a time when the Russia investigation was generating heat, but when the story of that order leaked to the press he ordered McGahn to lie and deny it. | The second key witness was former White House counsel Don McGahn. Not only did Trump order McGahn to fire Mueller himself at a time when the Russia investigation was generating heat, but when the story of that order leaked to the press he ordered McGahn to lie and deny it. |
| Here’s the killer quote: “Substantial evidence indicates that in repeatedly urging McGahn to dispute that he was ordered to have the special counsel terminated, the president acted for the purpose of influencing McGahn’s account in order to deflect or prevent further scrutiny of the president’s conduct toward the investigation.” | Here’s the killer quote: “Substantial evidence indicates that in repeatedly urging McGahn to dispute that he was ordered to have the special counsel terminated, the president acted for the purpose of influencing McGahn’s account in order to deflect or prevent further scrutiny of the president’s conduct toward the investigation.” |
| In both these cases, Mueller is making a crystal clear case of witness tampering. As he explains in other parts of his report, he decided not to recommend charges on these or any other counts, not because – as the attorney general Bill Barr later ruled – there was insufficient evidence. | In both these cases, Mueller is making a crystal clear case of witness tampering. As he explains in other parts of his report, he decided not to recommend charges on these or any other counts, not because – as the attorney general Bill Barr later ruled – there was insufficient evidence. |
| On the contrary, Mueller says there is plenty of evidence. But he is leaving the dilemma of what to do with it up to Congress. | On the contrary, Mueller says there is plenty of evidence. But he is leaving the dilemma of what to do with it up to Congress. |
| Trump boarded Marine One en route to Mar-a-lago without taking questions from reporters, the Guardian’s David Smith reports. | Trump boarded Marine One en route to Mar-a-lago without taking questions from reporters, the Guardian’s David Smith reports. |
| At the White House. Donald Trump heading to Marine One with Melania and without taking questions from big press corps. pic.twitter.com/STySS37ZbM | At the White House. Donald Trump heading to Marine One with Melania and without taking questions from big press corps. pic.twitter.com/STySS37ZbM |
| Adam Schiff, chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said the report indicates that the actions of Trump’s campaign and associates “are unquestionably dishonest, unethical, immoral and unpatriotic”. | Adam Schiff, chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said the report indicates that the actions of Trump’s campaign and associates “are unquestionably dishonest, unethical, immoral and unpatriotic”. |
| “That is not the subject of vindication, that is the subject of condemnation,” Schiff said speaking from California. | “That is not the subject of vindication, that is the subject of condemnation,” Schiff said speaking from California. |
| Asked about Trump’s claim that it is “game over,” Schiff said that it is certainly not. | Asked about Trump’s claim that it is “game over,” Schiff said that it is certainly not. |
| House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer – the second-ranking Democrat in the House – told CNN he thinks, at least at this point, impeachment is “not worthwhile”. | House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer – the second-ranking Democrat in the House – told CNN he thinks, at least at this point, impeachment is “not worthwhile”. |
| House Majority @LeaderHoyer just told me : “Based on what we have seen to date, going forward on impeachment is not worthwhile at this point. Very frankly, there is an election in 18 months and the American people will make a judgement,” | House Majority @LeaderHoyer just told me : “Based on what we have seen to date, going forward on impeachment is not worthwhile at this point. Very frankly, there is an election in 18 months and the American people will make a judgement,” |
| In an interview on Fox News, White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway likened the investigation to a “proctology exam” and declared Trump had emerged with “a clean bill of health”. | In an interview on Fox News, White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway likened the investigation to a “proctology exam” and declared Trump had emerged with “a clean bill of health”. |
| She maintained that the report was an unblemished exoneration of the president and reiterated her demand for House intelligence chairman Adam Schiff to resign. | She maintained that the report was an unblemished exoneration of the president and reiterated her demand for House intelligence chairman Adam Schiff to resign. |
| “I was the first person to publicly call for Adam Schiff’s resignation from Intelligence Committee Chairman a couple weeks ago on your network,” she told Fox. “I’m going to double down on this. Not only should he resign, but he should produce the evidence that he says he had… he ought to put up or shut up.” | “I was the first person to publicly call for Adam Schiff’s resignation from Intelligence Committee Chairman a couple weeks ago on your network,” she told Fox. “I’m going to double down on this. Not only should he resign, but he should produce the evidence that he says he had… he ought to put up or shut up.” |
| Reporters have long accused White House press secretary Sarah Sanders of not being truthful with the press corps. But here, in sworn testimony, she confirms that the reason she offered for Trump firing Comey – that Comey had lost the confidence of the rank and file members of the FBI - was “not founded on anything.” | Reporters have long accused White House press secretary Sarah Sanders of not being truthful with the press corps. But here, in sworn testimony, she confirms that the reason she offered for Trump firing Comey – that Comey had lost the confidence of the rank and file members of the FBI - was “not founded on anything.” |
| Sarah Sanders on Comey firing to press: “countless members of the FBI” did not like ComeySanders to Mueller: That was a “slip of the tongue.”To press: Rank and file FBI lost confidence in ComeyTo Mueller: Said “in the heat of the moment” and not founded on anything. pic.twitter.com/vxzAp4lxRp | Sarah Sanders on Comey firing to press: “countless members of the FBI” did not like ComeySanders to Mueller: That was a “slip of the tongue.”To press: Rank and file FBI lost confidence in ComeyTo Mueller: Said “in the heat of the moment” and not founded on anything. pic.twitter.com/vxzAp4lxRp |