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/2019/may/29/mueller-says-trump-was-not-exonerated-by-his-investigation

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mueller says Trump was not exonerated by his investigation Mueller says Trump was not exonerated by his investigation
(32 minutes later)
Robert Mueller has said he believed he was constitutionally barred from charging Donald Trump with a crime, but emphasized that his report detailing the findings of the Trump-Russia investigation did not exonerate the president.Robert Mueller has said he believed he was constitutionally barred from charging Donald Trump with a crime, but emphasized that his report detailing the findings of the Trump-Russia investigation did not exonerate the president.
“If we had had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so,” the special counsel said at an extraordinary press conference on Wednesday. “We did not however make a determination as to whether the president did commit a crime.” “If we had had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so,” the special counsel said at an extraordinary press conference on Wednesday. “We did not, however, make a determination as to whether the president did commit a crime.”
Mueller broke his silence to make his first public statements since his appointment as special counsel two years ago, when he and his team began investigating Russian interference in the 2016 US election, and links between the Trump campaign and Moscow.Mueller broke his silence to make his first public statements since his appointment as special counsel two years ago, when he and his team began investigating Russian interference in the 2016 US election, and links between the Trump campaign and Moscow.
Mueller explained that the investigation was bound by longstanding Department of Justice policy that a sitting president cannot be indicted. He said it would have been “unfair” to accuse someone of a crime when that person would not have the opportunity to stand trial and defend themselves.Mueller explained that the investigation was bound by longstanding Department of Justice policy that a sitting president cannot be indicted. He said it would have been “unfair” to accuse someone of a crime when that person would not have the opportunity to stand trial and defend themselves.
In the highly anticipated and explosive report released with redactions last month, Mueller’s team described 11 instances in which Trump or his campaign engaged in potential obstruction of justice and suggested Congress might prosecute these acts as crimes.In the highly anticipated and explosive report released with redactions last month, Mueller’s team described 11 instances in which Trump or his campaign engaged in potential obstruction of justice and suggested Congress might prosecute these acts as crimes.
The statement on Wednesday came amid demands for Mueller to testify on Capitol Hill about his findings, and tension with the attorney general, William Barr.The statement on Wednesday came amid demands for Mueller to testify on Capitol Hill about his findings, and tension with the attorney general, William Barr.
Democrats seized on disparity between Barr’s summaries of the Mueller report, and what Mueller said today. Democrats seized on the disparity between Barr’s summaries of the Mueller report and what Mueller said today.
In his remarks, Mueller made it explicitly clear that the special counsel could not even “consider” filing criminal charges against a sitting president because of longstanding DOJ policy. Barr has said previously that the opinion was not a major factor in Mueller’s findings. In his remarks, Mueller made it explicitly clear that the special counsel could not even “consider” filing criminal charges against a sitting president because of longstanding DoJ policy. Barr has said previously that the opinion was not a major factor in Mueller’s findings.
House Judiciary Committee chair, Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New York, said Mueller’s comments made clear that the responsibility now lies with Congress “to respond to the crimes, lies and other wrongdoing of President Trump.” The House judiciary committee chair, Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New York, said Mueller’s comments made clear that the responsibility now lies with Congress “to respond to the crimes, lies and other wrongdoing of President Trump”.
Democratic candidates for the 2020 presidential election also reiterated their calls for impeachment proceedings to begin:Democratic candidates for the 2020 presidential election also reiterated their calls for impeachment proceedings to begin:
Mueller leaves no doubt:1) He didn't exonerate the president because there is evidence he committed crimes.2) Justice Department policy prevented him from charging the president with any crimes. 3) The Constitution leaves it up to Congress to act—and that's impeachment.Mueller leaves no doubt:1) He didn't exonerate the president because there is evidence he committed crimes.2) Justice Department policy prevented him from charging the president with any crimes. 3) The Constitution leaves it up to Congress to act—and that's impeachment.
What Robert Mueller basically did was return an impeachment referral. Now it is up to Congress to hold this president accountable.We need to start impeachment proceedings. It's our constitutional obligation.What Robert Mueller basically did was return an impeachment referral. Now it is up to Congress to hold this president accountable.We need to start impeachment proceedings. It's our constitutional obligation.
Mueller made clear this morning that his investigation now lays at the feet of Congress. No one is above the law—Congress should begin an impeachment inquiry.Mueller made clear this morning that his investigation now lays at the feet of Congress. No one is above the law—Congress should begin an impeachment inquiry.
Mueller did not rule out testifying before Congress but is serving notice that he does not intend to go beyond what has already been revealed in his report. Mueller said Wednesday he and the special counsel team chose their words carefully in the report and “the work speaks for itself”. Mueller did not rule out testifying before Congress but is serving notice that he does not intend to go beyond what has already been revealed in his report. Mueller said on Wednesday he and the special counsel team chose their words carefully in the report and “the work speaks for itself”.
Trump, who has repeatedly called the investigation a “witch hunt”, tweeted: “Nothing changes from the Mueller Report. There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Country, a person is innocent. The case is closed! Thank you.” Trump, who has repeatedly called the investigation a “witch-hunt”, tweeted: “Nothing changes from the Mueller Report. There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Country, a person is innocent. The case is closed! Thank you.”
Mueller announced that the investigation has been formally closed and that he is resigning from the Department of Justice to return to private life.Mueller announced that the investigation has been formally closed and that he is resigning from the Department of Justice to return to private life.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement: “The report was clear— there was no collusion, no conspiracy — and the Department of Justice confirmed there was no obstruction... After two years, the Special Counsel is moving on with his life, and everyone else should do the same.” The White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, said in a statement: “The report was clear – there was no collusion, no conspiracy – and the Department of Justice confirmed there was no obstruction … After two years, the Special Counsel is moving on with his life, and everyone else should do the same.”
More details soon… More details soon …
Trump-Russia investigationTrump-Russia investigation
Robert MuellerRobert Mueller
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
US politicsUS politics
RussiaRussia
Trump administrationTrump administration
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content