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Trump said he was 'fucked' and his presidency over upon Mueller's appointment – live Trump said he was 'fucked' and his presidency over upon Mueller's appointment – live
(32 minutes later)
From Russia with (no) love: Russian officials have branded Mueller’s allegations of election meddling “absurd”, according to the Guardian’s Marc Bennetts:“Two years of work and tens of millions of dollars wasted,” is how Russian state TV’s Channel One described Mueller’s investigation into allegations of collusion between Trump and Russia. There has been no comment yet from the Kremlin on Mueller’s findings that there were multiple links between Trump campaign officials and individuals tied to the Russian government.
Leonid Slutsky, the head of the Russian parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said the allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 elections were “absurd,” evidence of “Russophobia,” and part of an “internal political struggle in Washington”.
He also warned that the accusations that Russia tried to sway the election had seen US-Russia relations hit “rock bottom” and that as a result “fundamental agreements on arm control” were in danger of collapse.
Slutsky said: “Politicians in Washington must finally come to their senses and realize that such activities have brought the world to the brink of war.”
Bill Barr’s pre-spin on the Mueller report is looking shakier by the minute. The attorney general told us this morning that the White House had “fully cooperated” with the investigation.
Let’s not forget that Trump refused to be interviewed by Mueller – instead he only agreed to give written responses. Now, we get to see for the first time the president’s answers to the questions the special counsel posed him, reproduced as an appendix.
As a clearly exasperated Mueller notes, “the president stated on more than 30 occasions that he ‘does not recall’ or ‘remember’ or ‘have an independent recollection’” of information called for by the questions.
When you read Trump’s answers you can see what Mueller means. Take the first three responses the president gives relating to the Trump Tower meeting between his eldest son, Don Jr, and a group of Russians in June 2016.
They begin:
- “I have no recollection…”
- “Nor do I recall…”
- “I have no independent recollection…”
After he received these replies, Mueller went back to Trump and asked again for a face-to-face interview, given the “inadequacy of the written format”. Trump declined.
The Trump 2020 campaign has put out a statement about the Mueller report which makes a series of incorrect claims.The Trump 2020 campaign has put out a statement about the Mueller report which makes a series of incorrect claims.
The statement, from Trump’s campaign manager Brad Parscale, claims Trump has been “fully and completely exonerated”, which is incorrect. Mueller specifically wrote that the report “does not exonerate” Trump.The statement, from Trump’s campaign manager Brad Parscale, claims Trump has been “fully and completely exonerated”, which is incorrect. Mueller specifically wrote that the report “does not exonerate” Trump.
Parscale also mentions “obstruction conspiracy theories”, despite Mueller detailing 11 instances in which Donald Trump or his campaign engaged in potential obstruction of justice, and despite the Special Counsel suggesting that Congress might prosecute the acts as crimes.Parscale also mentions “obstruction conspiracy theories”, despite Mueller detailing 11 instances in which Donald Trump or his campaign engaged in potential obstruction of justice, and despite the Special Counsel suggesting that Congress might prosecute the acts as crimes.
With those caveats, here’s Parscale’s piece:With those caveats, here’s Parscale’s piece:
STATEMENT ON RELEASE OF FULL MUELLER REPORTSTATEMENT ON RELEASE OF FULL MUELLER REPORT
“President Trump has been fully and completely exonerated yet again. Now the tables have turned, and it’s time to investigate the liars who instigated this sham investigation into President Trump, motivated by political retribution and based on no evidence whatsoever.“President Trump has been fully and completely exonerated yet again. Now the tables have turned, and it’s time to investigate the liars who instigated this sham investigation into President Trump, motivated by political retribution and based on no evidence whatsoever.
There is simply no denying that ‘spying did occur’ on the Trump campaign during the 2016 election, as Attorney General Barr himself noted in testimony before Congress.There is simply no denying that ‘spying did occur’ on the Trump campaign during the 2016 election, as Attorney General Barr himself noted in testimony before Congress.
Barr went on to testify that there was a ‘failure among a group of leaders there at the upper echelon [of the FBI]… [and] I feel I have an obligation to make sure that government power is not abused.’Barr went on to testify that there was a ‘failure among a group of leaders there at the upper echelon [of the FBI]… [and] I feel I have an obligation to make sure that government power is not abused.’
Now that the collusion and obstruction conspiracy theories have been exposed for the pathetic hoaxes they always were, the Obama-era DOJ and FBI must answer for their misdeeds and the scam that they perpetrated against the American people. Justice will be served.Now that the collusion and obstruction conspiracy theories have been exposed for the pathetic hoaxes they always were, the Obama-era DOJ and FBI must answer for their misdeeds and the scam that they perpetrated against the American people. Justice will be served.
Mueller floats evidence in his report that Trump was personally involved in discussions over the WikiLeaks dumps of Democratic emails hacked by Russia.Mueller floats evidence in his report that Trump was personally involved in discussions over the WikiLeaks dumps of Democratic emails hacked by Russia.
The report says that when WikiLeaks began publishing emails stolen from the Democratic National Convention in July 2016, Trump’s campaign aides “reacted with enthusiasm to reports of the hacks”.The report says that when WikiLeaks began publishing emails stolen from the Democratic National Convention in July 2016, Trump’s campaign aides “reacted with enthusiasm to reports of the hacks”.
“[REDACTED] discussed with campaign officials that WikiLeaks would release the hacked material. Some witnesses said that Trump himself discussed the upcoming releases.”“[REDACTED] discussed with campaign officials that WikiLeaks would release the hacked material. Some witnesses said that Trump himself discussed the upcoming releases.”
Rick Gates, Trump’s former deputy campaign manager, told Mueller that in the summer of 2016, a few months before the presidential election: “The campaign was planning a communications strategy based on the possible release of Clinton emails by WikiLeaks”.Rick Gates, Trump’s former deputy campaign manager, told Mueller that in the summer of 2016, a few months before the presidential election: “The campaign was planning a communications strategy based on the possible release of Clinton emails by WikiLeaks”.
In Fox News land, there is nothing which damages Trump in this slew of disclosures, says Guardian fellow Lauren Aratani, who has been watching the right-wing news channel.In Fox News land, there is nothing which damages Trump in this slew of disclosures, says Guardian fellow Lauren Aratani, who has been watching the right-wing news channel.
Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump’s personal legal team, declared victory during an interview with host Bill Hemmer this afternoon. But. Giuliani seemed to be relying on, in his words, it being “very, very hard to make an obstruction case”.Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump’s personal legal team, declared victory during an interview with host Bill Hemmer this afternoon. But. Giuliani seemed to be relying on, in his words, it being “very, very hard to make an obstruction case”.
“We’re very, very happy. It’s a clear victory,” Giuliani said.“We’re very, very happy. It’s a clear victory,” Giuliani said.
Look at page two of the report, [Mueller] says two statements: ‘He says we can’t conclude the president has commit a crime, but we can’t exonerate him.’ Well, nobody is asking to exonerate him. The reality is that the overarching principal of obstruction law is very, very hard to make an obstruction case, that there’s an underlying crime, so you have to assume the president is innocent, which he is.Look at page two of the report, [Mueller] says two statements: ‘He says we can’t conclude the president has commit a crime, but we can’t exonerate him.’ Well, nobody is asking to exonerate him. The reality is that the overarching principal of obstruction law is very, very hard to make an obstruction case, that there’s an underlying crime, so you have to assume the president is innocent, which he is.
Hemmer asked Giuliani why Mueller didn’t make a call on obstruction of justice. Giuliani offered this:Hemmer asked Giuliani why Mueller didn’t make a call on obstruction of justice. Giuliani offered this:
I suspect he had a disagreement amongst his staff. The attorney general today laid out the classic view of obstruction. I had many debates with him. What the independent special counsel’s office is doing was trying to extend that statute beyond their reach.I suspect he had a disagreement amongst his staff. The attorney general today laid out the classic view of obstruction. I had many debates with him. What the independent special counsel’s office is doing was trying to extend that statute beyond their reach.
After Paul Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates were indicted by a grand jury on multiple felony counts Manafort told Gates he had spoken to Trump’s personal counsel, and said: “We’ll be taken care of.”After Paul Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates were indicted by a grand jury on multiple felony counts Manafort told Gates he had spoken to Trump’s personal counsel, and said: “We’ll be taken care of.”
The word “pardon” is not explicitly mentioned, but Mueller writes that Manafort told Gates he “had talked to the president’s personal counsel and they were ‘going to take care of us’”.The word “pardon” is not explicitly mentioned, but Mueller writes that Manafort told Gates he “had talked to the president’s personal counsel and they were ‘going to take care of us’”.
Manafort also told Gates it was stupid to plead, saying that he had been in touch with the president’s personal counsel and repeating that they should “sit tight” and “we’ll be taken care of.”Manafort also told Gates it was stupid to plead, saying that he had been in touch with the president’s personal counsel and repeating that they should “sit tight” and “we’ll be taken care of.”
That snippet is on page 123 of Vol 2 of the report.That snippet is on page 123 of Vol 2 of the report.
The Mueller report says that in June 2017, Trump directed told his White House counsel to call acting attorney general Rod Rosenstein and order him to fire Robert Mueller, Trump saying: “Mueller has to go.”The Mueller report says that in June 2017, Trump directed told his White House counsel to call acting attorney general Rod Rosenstein and order him to fire Robert Mueller, Trump saying: “Mueller has to go.”
Don McGahn, the counsel, refused, deciding he would rather resign than trigger what he regarded as a potential “Saturday Night Massacre” – of Watergate firings fame.Don McGahn, the counsel, refused, deciding he would rather resign than trigger what he regarded as a potential “Saturday Night Massacre” – of Watergate firings fame.
According to the Mueller report, Trump twice told McGahn to order Rosenstein to fire Mueller, saying Mueller had “conflicts that precluded him from serving as special counsel”.According to the Mueller report, Trump twice told McGahn to order Rosenstein to fire Mueller, saying Mueller had “conflicts that precluded him from serving as special counsel”.
McGahn, who left the White House in October 2018, recalled the president telling him:McGahn, who left the White House in October 2018, recalled the president telling him:
“Call Rod, tell Rod that Mueller has conflicts and can’t be special counsel.”“Call Rod, tell Rod that Mueller has conflicts and can’t be special counsel.”
McGahn also recalled Trump telling him: “Mueller has to go” and: “Call me back when you do it.”McGahn also recalled Trump telling him: “Mueller has to go” and: “Call me back when you do it.”
The incident is detailed on page 85 and 86 of Vol 2 of the report.The incident is detailed on page 85 and 86 of Vol 2 of the report.
We heard Barr say earlier this morning that Mueller divides the second half of his report into 10 episodes of possible obstruction of justice by Trump. In fact, the special counsel lists 11 key issues, which he headlines as:We heard Barr say earlier this morning that Mueller divides the second half of his report into 10 episodes of possible obstruction of justice by Trump. In fact, the special counsel lists 11 key issues, which he headlines as:
1) How the Trump campaign reacted to reports that Russia was trying to interfere with the 2016 presidential election on Trump’s behalf, including response to WikiLeaks’ dump of emails1) How the Trump campaign reacted to reports that Russia was trying to interfere with the 2016 presidential election on Trump’s behalf, including response to WikiLeaks’ dump of emails
2) How Trump behaved over the investigation into his first national security adviser Michael Flynn2) How Trump behaved over the investigation into his first national security adviser Michael Flynn
3) Trump’s reaction to the start of the FBI’s investigation into potential links with Russia, including when he asked the then FBI director James Comey to “lift the cloud” over his presidency3) Trump’s reaction to the start of the FBI’s investigation into potential links with Russia, including when he asked the then FBI director James Comey to “lift the cloud” over his presidency
4) The firing of Comey4) The firing of Comey
5) Trump’s efforts to have Mueller himself fired – a particularly ironic episode given the report’s author5) Trump’s efforts to have Mueller himself fired – a particularly ironic episode given the report’s author
6) The president’s on-going attempts to curtail Mueller’s investigation and limit its remit6) The president’s on-going attempts to curtail Mueller’s investigation and limit its remit
7) Trump’s efforts to prevent details becoming public of the notorious Trump Tower meeting in June 2016 between his son Don Jr, son-in-law Jared Kusher and Paul Manafort with a group of Russians peddling dirt on Hillary Clinton7) Trump’s efforts to prevent details becoming public of the notorious Trump Tower meeting in June 2016 between his son Don Jr, son-in-law Jared Kusher and Paul Manafort with a group of Russians peddling dirt on Hillary Clinton
8) The president’s bid to force Jeff Sessions, the then attorney general, to reverse his decision to recuse himself from the Russia inquiry and take back the reins of the investigation8) The president’s bid to force Jeff Sessions, the then attorney general, to reverse his decision to recuse himself from the Russia inquiry and take back the reins of the investigation
9) A new detail this: How Trump not only ordered then White House counsel Don McGahn to fire Mueller in June 2017, he then went on to order McGahn publicly to deny that he had told him to do so. (McGahn refused to do either.)9) A new detail this: How Trump not only ordered then White House counsel Don McGahn to fire Mueller in June 2017, he then went on to order McGahn publicly to deny that he had told him to do so. (McGahn refused to do either.)
10) Trump’s behavior towards Flynn after the latter began cooperating with investigators, including asking Flynn to give him a “heads up” if he knew “information that implicates the President”.10) Trump’s behavior towards Flynn after the latter began cooperating with investigators, including asking Flynn to give him a “heads up” if he knew “information that implicates the President”.
11) The president’s conduct towards his longtime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, particularly after Cohen “flipped” and began cooperating with Mueller.11) The president’s conduct towards his longtime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, particularly after Cohen “flipped” and began cooperating with Mueller.
•Robert Mueller described 11 instances in which Donald Trump engaged in potential obstruction of justice and suggested that Congress might prosecute the acts as crimes, though Mueller stopped short of recommending such a prosecution.•Robert Mueller described 11 instances in which Donald Trump engaged in potential obstruction of justice and suggested that Congress might prosecute the acts as crimes, though Mueller stopped short of recommending such a prosecution.
•Mueller went much further than attorney general Bill Barr has suggested, the special counsel pointing to serious wrongdoing on Trump’s part that could amount to criminal activity. Mueller said that had his team concluded that the president had committed no crime, they would have said so. Instead, Mueller wrote: “Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgment.”•Mueller went much further than attorney general Bill Barr has suggested, the special counsel pointing to serious wrongdoing on Trump’s part that could amount to criminal activity. Mueller said that had his team concluded that the president had committed no crime, they would have said so. Instead, Mueller wrote: “Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgment.”
•Mueller’s investigation found that “in some instances, the [Trump] campaign was receptive” to Russian offers of help in the presidential election. In other instances campaign officials “shied away”, Mueller wrote. “Ultimately, the investigation did not establish that the campaign co-ordinated or conspired with the Russian government in its election interference activities,” the report says.•Mueller’s investigation found that “in some instances, the [Trump] campaign was receptive” to Russian offers of help in the presidential election. In other instances campaign officials “shied away”, Mueller wrote. “Ultimately, the investigation did not establish that the campaign co-ordinated or conspired with the Russian government in its election interference activities,” the report says.
•Trump believed he was “fucked” and his presidency over when Robert Mueller was appointed. According to notes kept by Jody Hunt, who served as Sessions’ chief of staff, Trump’s reaction to Mueller’s appointment was as follows: “The President slumped back in his chair and said, ‘Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I’m fucked.’”•Trump believed he was “fucked” and his presidency over when Robert Mueller was appointed. According to notes kept by Jody Hunt, who served as Sessions’ chief of staff, Trump’s reaction to Mueller’s appointment was as follows: “The President slumped back in his chair and said, ‘Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I’m fucked.’”
Page 52 of the report has a heading: “Contacts with the campaign about WikiLeaks”, but there are a tantalizing number of redactions over the following six pages.Page 52 of the report has a heading: “Contacts with the campaign about WikiLeaks”, but there are a tantalizing number of redactions over the following six pages.
There is a reference to Ted Malloch, a London-based American academic: “Malloch recalled that [Jerome] Corsi also suggested that individuals in the ‘orbit’ of UK politician Nigel Farage might be able to contact [Julian] Assange and asked if Malloch knew them.There is a reference to Ted Malloch, a London-based American academic: “Malloch recalled that [Jerome] Corsi also suggested that individuals in the ‘orbit’ of UK politician Nigel Farage might be able to contact [Julian] Assange and asked if Malloch knew them.
Malloch told Corsi that he would think about the request but made no actual attempt to connect Corsi with Assange. But some passages on the page are blacked out.Malloch told Corsi that he would think about the request but made no actual attempt to connect Corsi with Assange. But some passages on the page are blacked out.
Assange was arrested last week, and the US is seeking his extradition over allegations he conspired with former US military analyst Chelsea Manning to download classified databases.Assange was arrested last week, and the US is seeking his extradition over allegations he conspired with former US military analyst Chelsea Manning to download classified databases.
Earlier the House judiciary committee asked Robert Mueller to testify, and now the House intelligence committee, chaired by Adam Schiff, wants in on the act:Earlier the House judiciary committee asked Robert Mueller to testify, and now the House intelligence committee, chaired by Adam Schiff, wants in on the act:
The House Intelligence Committee has formally invited Special Counsel Mueller to testify on the counterintelligence investigation.After a two year investigation, the public deserves the facts, not Attorney General Barr’s political spin. pic.twitter.com/PWIXvl7MLvThe House Intelligence Committee has formally invited Special Counsel Mueller to testify on the counterintelligence investigation.After a two year investigation, the public deserves the facts, not Attorney General Barr’s political spin. pic.twitter.com/PWIXvl7MLv
Mueller is going to be busy...Mueller is going to be busy...
Trump is hosting a Wounded Warrior event at the White House today. He says he is having a “good day”:Trump is hosting a Wounded Warrior event at the White House today. He says he is having a “good day”:
“They’re having a good day, I’m having a good day too. It’s called no collusion, no obstruction,” Trump said.“We do have to get to the bottom of these things, I will say. And this should never happen, I say in front of my friends, Wounded Warriors, but i just call them warriors ... we just shook hands and they look great.”“This should never happen to another president again, this hoax. It should never happen to another president again. Thank you.”“They’re having a good day, I’m having a good day too. It’s called no collusion, no obstruction,” Trump said.“We do have to get to the bottom of these things, I will say. And this should never happen, I say in front of my friends, Wounded Warriors, but i just call them warriors ... we just shook hands and they look great.”“This should never happen to another president again, this hoax. It should never happen to another president again. Thank you.”
Trump believed he was “fucked” when Robert Mueller was appointed, according to this snippet spotted by Politico’s Dan Diamond:Trump believed he was “fucked” when Robert Mueller was appointed, according to this snippet spotted by Politico’s Dan Diamond:
Trump’s reported reaction when he was told Mueller was appointed: “This is the end of my presidency. I’m fucked.” pic.twitter.com/J1AN9SGM7OTrump’s reported reaction when he was told Mueller was appointed: “This is the end of my presidency. I’m fucked.” pic.twitter.com/J1AN9SGM7O
That’s on page 290, if you’re also reading the report.That’s on page 290, if you’re also reading the report.
In his introduction to the second part of his report, on obstruction of justice, Robert Mueller goes much further than attorney general Bill Barr has suggested and points to serious wrongdoing on Trump’s part that could amount to criminal activity.In his introduction to the second part of his report, on obstruction of justice, Robert Mueller goes much further than attorney general Bill Barr has suggested and points to serious wrongdoing on Trump’s part that could amount to criminal activity.
Mueller states that had his team concluded that the president had committed no crime, they would have said so. Instead, Mueller writes:Mueller states that had his team concluded that the president had committed no crime, they would have said so. Instead, Mueller writes:
Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgment.Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgment.
There’s more trouble for Trump in the next sentence. Mueller alludes to having found “evidence about the president’s actions and intent” that “prevent us from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred”. Mueller adds:There’s more trouble for Trump in the next sentence. Mueller alludes to having found “evidence about the president’s actions and intent” that “prevent us from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred”. Mueller adds:
“Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”“Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”