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| What We Know So Far From the Mueller Report | What We Know So Far From the Mueller Report |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Mr. Mueller examined about 10 actions by President Trump to determine whether he sought to obstruct justice but could not reach a conclusion. He found a concerted effort by Russia to interfere in the 2016 election, but established no criminal conspiracy between Mr. Trump’s campaign and Russia. | Mr. Mueller examined about 10 actions by President Trump to determine whether he sought to obstruct justice but could not reach a conclusion. He found a concerted effort by Russia to interfere in the 2016 election, but established no criminal conspiracy between Mr. Trump’s campaign and Russia. |
| The report detailed dramatic conflicts within the White House. When Mr. Trump learned of Mr. Mueller’s appointment, he slumped in his chair and said: “Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I’m fucked.” [Read more excerpts and analysis from our reporters.] | The report detailed dramatic conflicts within the White House. When Mr. Trump learned of Mr. Mueller’s appointment, he slumped in his chair and said: “Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I’m fucked.” [Read more excerpts and analysis from our reporters.] |
| Attorney General William P. Barr offered a strong defense of Mr. Trump and said he gave the president’s lawyers access to Mr. Mueller’s report “earlier this week,” before it was released. | Attorney General William P. Barr offered a strong defense of Mr. Trump and said he gave the president’s lawyers access to Mr. Mueller’s report “earlier this week,” before it was released. |
| While Mr. Mueller’s investigation is over, he reported that it has spawned 14 spinoff inquiries. | While Mr. Mueller’s investigation is over, he reported that it has spawned 14 spinoff inquiries. |
| At a White House event for wounded troops, Mr. Trump claimed vindication to cheers from the audience. Democrats lashed out at Mr. Barr, and said it was up to Congress to hold the president to account. | At a White House event for wounded troops, Mr. Trump claimed vindication to cheers from the audience. Democrats lashed out at Mr. Barr, and said it was up to Congress to hold the president to account. |
| Investigators examined about 10 episodes in which the president may have obstructed justice, but Mr. Mueller said he could not reach a conclusion. | Investigators examined about 10 episodes in which the president may have obstructed justice, but Mr. Mueller said he could not reach a conclusion. |
| “The evidence we obtained about the president’s actions and intent presents difficult issues that would need to be resolved if we were making a traditional prosecutorial judgment. At the same time, if we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, we are unable to reach that judgment. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.” | “The evidence we obtained about the president’s actions and intent presents difficult issues that would need to be resolved if we were making a traditional prosecutorial judgment. At the same time, if we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, we are unable to reach that judgment. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.” |
| Mr. Barr, however, opted to reach the conclusion that Mr. Mueller would not. “After carefully reviewing the facts and legal theories outlined in the report, and in consultation with the Office of Legal Counsel and other department lawyers, the deputy attorney general and I concluded that the evidence developed by the special counsel is not sufficient to establish that the president committed an obstruction of justice offense,” Mr. Barr said at a news conference before the release of the report. | Mr. Barr, however, opted to reach the conclusion that Mr. Mueller would not. “After carefully reviewing the facts and legal theories outlined in the report, and in consultation with the Office of Legal Counsel and other department lawyers, the deputy attorney general and I concluded that the evidence developed by the special counsel is not sufficient to establish that the president committed an obstruction of justice offense,” Mr. Barr said at a news conference before the release of the report. |
| Mr. Barr said that he “disagreed with some of the special counsel’s legal theories” regarding obstruction but even accepting them found no basis for a criminal charge. | Mr. Barr said that he “disagreed with some of the special counsel’s legal theories” regarding obstruction but even accepting them found no basis for a criminal charge. |
| Among the incidents that the special counsel examined was Mr. Trump’s decision to fire James B. Comey, the F.B.I. director, in May 2017, and an attempt by the president a month later to have his White House counsel, Donald F. McGahn II, fire Mr. Mueller. | Among the incidents that the special counsel examined was Mr. Trump’s decision to fire James B. Comey, the F.B.I. director, in May 2017, and an attempt by the president a month later to have his White House counsel, Donald F. McGahn II, fire Mr. Mueller. |
| He also looked at the president’s efforts to hide details of a Trump Tower meeting with Russians during the election and to pressure Jeff Sessions, then the attorney general, to reverse his decision to recuse himself from supervising the investigation. | He also looked at the president’s efforts to hide details of a Trump Tower meeting with Russians during the election and to pressure Jeff Sessions, then the attorney general, to reverse his decision to recuse himself from supervising the investigation. |
| Mr. Barr said he would not stand in the way of Mr. Mueller testifying on Capitol Hill about his findings. “I have no objection to Bob Mueller testifying,” Mr. Barr said. | Mr. Barr said he would not stand in the way of Mr. Mueller testifying on Capitol Hill about his findings. “I have no objection to Bob Mueller testifying,” Mr. Barr said. |
| [Get what you need to know delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.] | [Get what you need to know delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.] |
| The last two years were filled with angry clashes, outbursts, threatened resignations and false statements as Mr. Trump reacted to the investigation. | The last two years were filled with angry clashes, outbursts, threatened resignations and false statements as Mr. Trump reacted to the investigation. |
| After saying that Mr. Mueller’s appointment would mean “the end of my presidency,” Mr. Trump turned on Jeff Sessions, then the attorney general, blaming him for recusing himself from overseeing the investigation. “How could you let this happen, Jeff?” he demanded. | After saying that Mr. Mueller’s appointment would mean “the end of my presidency,” Mr. Trump turned on Jeff Sessions, then the attorney general, blaming him for recusing himself from overseeing the investigation. “How could you let this happen, Jeff?” he demanded. |
| The tension between Mr. Trump and Mr. McGahn, then the White House counsel, flared repeatedly. In June 2017, Mr. Trump called Mr. McGahn from Camp David twice and told him to have Mr. Mueller fired for alleged conflicts of interest. Mr. McGahn refused, saying he did not want to repeat the “Saturday Night Massacre,” when Richard M. Nixon ordered the firing of Watergate prosecutors. | The tension between Mr. Trump and Mr. McGahn, then the White House counsel, flared repeatedly. In June 2017, Mr. Trump called Mr. McGahn from Camp David twice and told him to have Mr. Mueller fired for alleged conflicts of interest. Mr. McGahn refused, saying he did not want to repeat the “Saturday Night Massacre,” when Richard M. Nixon ordered the firing of Watergate prosecutors. |
| Mr. McGahn prepared to submit his resignation. He called Reince Priebus, then the White House chief of staff, and told him the president had asked him to “do crazy shit.” Ultimately, Mr. Trump backed off, but when The New York Times reported about the episode, he told Mr. McGahn to publicly deny it, which he would not do. | Mr. McGahn prepared to submit his resignation. He called Reince Priebus, then the White House chief of staff, and told him the president had asked him to “do crazy shit.” Ultimately, Mr. Trump backed off, but when The New York Times reported about the episode, he told Mr. McGahn to publicly deny it, which he would not do. |
| Mr. Trump referred to Mr. McGahn as a “lying bastard” and said that if he did not deny the report, “then maybe I’ll have to get rid of him.” He did not fire Mr. McGahn, who left later that year. | Mr. Trump referred to Mr. McGahn as a “lying bastard” and said that if he did not deny the report, “then maybe I’ll have to get rid of him.” He did not fire Mr. McGahn, who left later that year. |
| In his news conference on Thursday morning, Mr. Barr at times sounded like a defense lawyer, making no criticism of the president and instead offering an understanding interpretation of actions that Mr. Trump’s critics have said amounted to obstruction of justice. | In his news conference on Thursday morning, Mr. Barr at times sounded like a defense lawyer, making no criticism of the president and instead offering an understanding interpretation of actions that Mr. Trump’s critics have said amounted to obstruction of justice. |
| [Read Mr. Barr’s full prepared remarks.] | [Read Mr. Barr’s full prepared remarks.] |
| In addressing obstruction, Mr. Barr said that the president had no corrupt intent and that his actions seen as impeding the inquiry were a result of being understandably “frustrated and angered by his sincere belief that the investigation was undermining his presidency, propelled by his political opponents and fueled by illegal leaks.” | In addressing obstruction, Mr. Barr said that the president had no corrupt intent and that his actions seen as impeding the inquiry were a result of being understandably “frustrated and angered by his sincere belief that the investigation was undermining his presidency, propelled by his political opponents and fueled by illegal leaks.” |
| Representative Jerrold Nadler, Democrat of New York and the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said Thursday afternoon that Mr. Mueller’s report provided clear evidence that the president “engaged in obstruction of justice and other misconduct” that necessitated additional scrutiny by Congress. | |
| “The responsibility now falls to Congress to hold the president accountable for his actions,” Mr. Nadler said. | |
| The House Judiciary Committee is the traditional home of impeachment proceedings, and Mr. Nadler did not rule them out, though he said such talk was premature. He has already opened his own investigation into possible obstruction of justice, abuse of power and corruption. | |
| Speaking to reporters in New York, Mr. Nadler was sharply critical of Mr. Barr, saying, “We clearly can’t believe what Attorney General Barr tells us.” | |
| Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Mr. Barr “fundamentally mischaracterized” Mr. Mueller’s findings, adding that “it is essential that Congress hear directly from the special counsel.” | |
| Mr. Nadler said he would quickly issue a subpoena to compel the delivery of the full report and underlying evidence to his committee. | |
| Mr. Barr said he gave Mr. Trump’s lawyers access to the report early, which allowed them a chance to prepare their public defense. | Mr. Barr said he gave Mr. Trump’s lawyers access to the report early, which allowed them a chance to prepare their public defense. |
| “Earlier this week, the president’s personal counsel requested and were given the opportunity to read a final version of the redacted report before it was publicly released,” Mr. Barr said. “The president’s personal lawyers were not permitted to make, and did not request, any redactions.” | “Earlier this week, the president’s personal counsel requested and were given the opportunity to read a final version of the redacted report before it was publicly released,” Mr. Barr said. “The president’s personal lawyers were not permitted to make, and did not request, any redactions.” |
| Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, said he and three lawyers on the president’s legal team started reading the report on Tuesday night in a secure room at the Justice Department. “We couldn’t take it out. We couldn’t photograph it,” Mr. Giuliani said in an interview with Fox News on Thursday. He said he and the other lawyers each read the entire report and shared their thoughts with each other. | Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, said he and three lawyers on the president’s legal team started reading the report on Tuesday night in a secure room at the Justice Department. “We couldn’t take it out. We couldn’t photograph it,” Mr. Giuliani said in an interview with Fox News on Thursday. He said he and the other lawyers each read the entire report and shared their thoughts with each other. |
| [Here’s what you need to know about the redactions and what they mean.] | [Here’s what you need to know about the redactions and what they mean.] |
| Mr. Barr said he shared the report with Mr. Trump’s personal lawyers in accordance with the “practice followed under the Ethics in Government Act,” permitting those named in a report to read it before publication. However, that has not always been the practice. In 1998, the independent counsel Ken Starr declined to let President Bill Clinton or his lawyers read his report on the Monica Lewinsky case before he sent it to Congress. | Mr. Barr said he shared the report with Mr. Trump’s personal lawyers in accordance with the “practice followed under the Ethics in Government Act,” permitting those named in a report to read it before publication. However, that has not always been the practice. In 1998, the independent counsel Ken Starr declined to let President Bill Clinton or his lawyers read his report on the Monica Lewinsky case before he sent it to Congress. |
| Mr. Barr said that the White House made no claims of executive privilege over any information in the report. | Mr. Barr said that the White House made no claims of executive privilege over any information in the report. |
| At the news conference, Mr. Barr made sure to include Rod J. Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, who first appointed Mr. Mueller. He also sent a letter to lawmakers saying that he would allow select congressional leaders to see a full version of the report — without redactions except for grand-jury information. | At the news conference, Mr. Barr made sure to include Rod J. Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, who first appointed Mr. Mueller. He also sent a letter to lawmakers saying that he would allow select congressional leaders to see a full version of the report — without redactions except for grand-jury information. |
| Federal prosecutors are pursuing 14 other investigations that were referred by the special counsel, according to the report. | Federal prosecutors are pursuing 14 other investigations that were referred by the special counsel, according to the report. |
| Of the 14, only two were disclosed in the redacted report: potential wire fraud and federal employment law violations involving Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trump’s former personal lawyer, and charges against Gregory B. Craig, the former White House counsel under President Barack Obama, who was accused of lying to investigators and concealing work for a pro-Russian government in Ukraine. | Of the 14, only two were disclosed in the redacted report: potential wire fraud and federal employment law violations involving Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trump’s former personal lawyer, and charges against Gregory B. Craig, the former White House counsel under President Barack Obama, who was accused of lying to investigators and concealing work for a pro-Russian government in Ukraine. |
| The other 12 referrals were redacted because of concerns that if details were released publicly, they could harm continuing investigations. | The other 12 referrals were redacted because of concerns that if details were released publicly, they could harm continuing investigations. |
| The special counsel also transferred 11 cases to other federal prosecutors to be wrapped up, mostly involving defendants who are awaiting trial or sentencing. | The special counsel also transferred 11 cases to other federal prosecutors to be wrapped up, mostly involving defendants who are awaiting trial or sentencing. |
| Mr. Barr provided an important qualifier to the determination that Mr. Trump and the Trump campaign did not engage in illegal collusion — not with the Russian government that stole the Democratic emails, but with WikiLeaks, which published them. | Mr. Barr provided an important qualifier to the determination that Mr. Trump and the Trump campaign did not engage in illegal collusion — not with the Russian government that stole the Democratic emails, but with WikiLeaks, which published them. |
| “The special counsel also investigated whether any member or affiliate of the Trump campaign encouraged or otherwise played a role in these dissemination efforts,” he said. “Under applicable law, publication of these types of materials would not be criminal unless the publisher also participated in the underlying hacking conspiracy. Here too, the special counsel’s report did not find that any person associated with the Trump campaign illegally participated in the dissemination of the materials.” | “The special counsel also investigated whether any member or affiliate of the Trump campaign encouraged or otherwise played a role in these dissemination efforts,” he said. “Under applicable law, publication of these types of materials would not be criminal unless the publisher also participated in the underlying hacking conspiracy. Here too, the special counsel’s report did not find that any person associated with the Trump campaign illegally participated in the dissemination of the materials.” |
| In other words, since WikiLeaks did not participate in Russia’s underlying hacking of the emails, its actions were no crime. Thus, any Trump campaign collusion with WikiLeaks could not be an illegal conspiracy. | In other words, since WikiLeaks did not participate in Russia’s underlying hacking of the emails, its actions were no crime. Thus, any Trump campaign collusion with WikiLeaks could not be an illegal conspiracy. |
| Mr. Trump responded to the report at an event at the White House for wounded troops, saying that it had vindicated him. | Mr. Trump responded to the report at an event at the White House for wounded troops, saying that it had vindicated him. |
| “They’re having a good day,” he said of the troops. “I’m having a good day too. It’s called ‘no collusion, no obstruction.’ There never was, by the way, and there never will be.” | “They’re having a good day,” he said of the troops. “I’m having a good day too. It’s called ‘no collusion, no obstruction.’ There never was, by the way, and there never will be.” |
| “This should never happen to another president again, this hoax,” he added. | “This should never happen to another president again, this hoax,” he added. |
| Even before the report was released, Mr. Trump was claiming victory and lashing out at investigators and his critics. He tweeted a photo resembling a “Game of Thrones” poster that depicted him staring into a cloud, saying “No Collusion. No Obstruction. For the haters and radical left Democrats: Game Over.” | Even before the report was released, Mr. Trump was claiming victory and lashing out at investigators and his critics. He tweeted a photo resembling a “Game of Thrones” poster that depicted him staring into a cloud, saying “No Collusion. No Obstruction. For the haters and radical left Democrats: Game Over.” |
| The tweet was the latest of a barrage that the president posted starting early Thursday morning, long before the report was released. | The tweet was the latest of a barrage that the president posted starting early Thursday morning, long before the report was released. |
| Vice President Mike Pence, perhaps the president’s most loyal defender, said that Mr. Mueller’s report “confirms what the president and I have said since Day 1: There was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia and there was no obstruction of justice.” | Vice President Mike Pence, perhaps the president’s most loyal defender, said that Mr. Mueller’s report “confirms what the president and I have said since Day 1: There was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia and there was no obstruction of justice.” |
| Mr. Pence also said the special counsel investigation had the “full cooperation” of the White House. But despite the special counsel’s requests, Mr. Trump’s lawyers would not let the president sit for an interview out of concern that the president would make a false statement and expose himself to criminal charges. Instead, Mr. Trump provided written answers to questions. | Mr. Pence also said the special counsel investigation had the “full cooperation” of the White House. But despite the special counsel’s requests, Mr. Trump’s lawyers would not let the president sit for an interview out of concern that the president would make a false statement and expose himself to criminal charges. Instead, Mr. Trump provided written answers to questions. |
| While attention focused on what was in Mr. Mueller’s report, many in Washington were also looking at what was left out. | While attention focused on what was in Mr. Mueller’s report, many in Washington were also looking at what was left out. |
| Mr. Barr made what he called “limited” redactions to the report, taking out information he deemed sensitive. More than a dozen pages were fully redacted, or nearly so. Other pages had sections of text blacked out, including full paragraphs. | Mr. Barr made what he called “limited” redactions to the report, taking out information he deemed sensitive. More than a dozen pages were fully redacted, or nearly so. Other pages had sections of text blacked out, including full paragraphs. |
| Much of the undisclosed material was in the first section of the report on Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and its interactions with the Trump campaign. Far less was scrubbed from the second part of the report, on whether Mr. Trump obstructed justice. | Much of the undisclosed material was in the first section of the report on Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and its interactions with the Trump campaign. Far less was scrubbed from the second part of the report, on whether Mr. Trump obstructed justice. |
| Mr. Barr blacked out sentences or sections that fit into four categories: grand-jury testimony or evidence; classified intelligence; information that would compromise continuing investigations; and details that might harm the reputations or intrude on the privacy of “peripheral third parties.” The attorney general used different colors through the report to identify which sections were deleted for which reasons. | Mr. Barr blacked out sentences or sections that fit into four categories: grand-jury testimony or evidence; classified intelligence; information that would compromise continuing investigations; and details that might harm the reputations or intrude on the privacy of “peripheral third parties.” The attorney general used different colors through the report to identify which sections were deleted for which reasons. |
| The phrase “harm to ongoing matter” came up alongside enough deleted material that it quickly become its own meme, inspiring the names of upcoming bar trivia teams and imaginary punk rock bands. | The phrase “harm to ongoing matter” came up alongside enough deleted material that it quickly become its own meme, inspiring the names of upcoming bar trivia teams and imaginary punk rock bands. |
| Katie Benner, Nicholas Fandos, Michael S. Schmidt, Eileen Sullivan, Michael Tackett and Noah Weiland contributed reporting. | Katie Benner, Nicholas Fandos, Michael S. Schmidt, Eileen Sullivan, Michael Tackett and Noah Weiland contributed reporting. |