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Trump Tweets, and Then Retracts, Statement That Russia Helped Him Get Elected Trump Accuses Mueller of a Personal Vendetta as Calls for Impeachment Grow
(about 1 hour later)
COLORADO SPRINGS — President Trump lashed out angrily at Robert S. Mueller III on Thursday, accusing him of pursuing a personal vendetta as Mr. Trump sought to counter increasing calls among Democrats for his impeachment.COLORADO SPRINGS — President Trump lashed out angrily at Robert S. Mueller III on Thursday, accusing him of pursuing a personal vendetta as Mr. Trump sought to counter increasing calls among Democrats for his impeachment.
A day after Mr. Mueller, the special counsel, spoke out for the first time and refused to exonerate the president, Mr. Trump dismissed the Mueller investigation as hopelessly tarnished and expressed aggravation that he could not shake allegations of wrongdoing that have dogged him since the early days of his administration.A day after Mr. Mueller, the special counsel, spoke out for the first time and refused to exonerate the president, Mr. Trump dismissed the Mueller investigation as hopelessly tarnished and expressed aggravation that he could not shake allegations of wrongdoing that have dogged him since the early days of his administration.
“I think he is a total conflicted person,” Mr. Trump said of Mr. Mueller before flying to Colorado to deliver the commencement address at the Air Force Academy. “I think Mueller is a true Never Trumper. He’s somebody that dislikes Donald Trump. He’s somebody that didn’t get a job that he requested that he wanted very badly, and then he was appointed.”“I think he is a total conflicted person,” Mr. Trump said of Mr. Mueller before flying to Colorado to deliver the commencement address at the Air Force Academy. “I think Mueller is a true Never Trumper. He’s somebody that dislikes Donald Trump. He’s somebody that didn’t get a job that he requested that he wanted very badly, and then he was appointed.”
Mr. Trump’s assertions of conflict of interest have been refuted not only by Mr. Mueller but even by some of the president’s own former aides. But Mr. Trump appeared determined to undermine the credibility that Mr. Mueller has developed over a long career as a lawyer, prosecutor and the second-longest-serving F.B.I. director in American history who worked under presidents of both parties.Mr. Trump’s assertions of conflict of interest have been refuted not only by Mr. Mueller but even by some of the president’s own former aides. But Mr. Trump appeared determined to undermine the credibility that Mr. Mueller has developed over a long career as a lawyer, prosecutor and the second-longest-serving F.B.I. director in American history who worked under presidents of both parties.
The split-screen day illustrated the dynamic that has come to define Mr. Trump’s presidency — railing against his adversaries one moment, then performing presidential duties the next. At the Air Force Academy, he was warmly welcomed by the cadets, shaking hands with each of them before the traditional flyover by the Air Force Thunderbirds, then headed back to Washington to resume the battle with House Democrats.The split-screen day illustrated the dynamic that has come to define Mr. Trump’s presidency — railing against his adversaries one moment, then performing presidential duties the next. At the Air Force Academy, he was warmly welcomed by the cadets, shaking hands with each of them before the traditional flyover by the Air Force Thunderbirds, then headed back to Washington to resume the battle with House Democrats.
While Democratic leaders continued to resist impeachment, viewing it as a political risk, more rank-and-file members along with many of the party’s presidential candidates were ramping up the pressure on Thursday to open a formal inquiry aimed at charging Mr. Trump with high crimes and misdemeanors.While Democratic leaders continued to resist impeachment, viewing it as a political risk, more rank-and-file members along with many of the party’s presidential candidates were ramping up the pressure on Thursday to open a formal inquiry aimed at charging Mr. Trump with high crimes and misdemeanors.
Beto O’Rourke, the former congressman from Texas running for president, disputed Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s fears of a backlash against Democrats if they pursued impeachment.Beto O’Rourke, the former congressman from Texas running for president, disputed Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s fears of a backlash against Democrats if they pursued impeachment.
“I believe those members of Congress who listen to the courage of their convictions at this moment of truth will be rewarded by the judgment of history,” he said.“I believe those members of Congress who listen to the courage of their convictions at this moment of truth will be rewarded by the judgment of history,” he said.
Almost without exception, however, congressional Republicans have stood by Mr. Trump, solidarity that, if it held, would guarantee acquittal in any Senate trial that might follow impeachment by the House.Almost without exception, however, congressional Republicans have stood by Mr. Trump, solidarity that, if it held, would guarantee acquittal in any Senate trial that might follow impeachment by the House.
“Frankly, this isn’t what the American people elected them to do,” Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the second-ranking Republican in the House, said on Wednesday night on Fox News. “I think there is going to be a heavy price for Democrats who go down this path.”“Frankly, this isn’t what the American people elected them to do,” Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the second-ranking Republican in the House, said on Wednesday night on Fox News. “I think there is going to be a heavy price for Democrats who go down this path.”
Mr. Mueller’s statement on Wednesday, while carefully tracking his written report, shook up the debate in Washington and clearly got under the president’s skin. Mr. Mueller reported that he could not establish any illegal conspiracy between Mr. Trump’s campaign and Russia, but he said he could not clear the president of obstruction of justice and essentially suggested that Congress take up that question.Mr. Mueller’s statement on Wednesday, while carefully tracking his written report, shook up the debate in Washington and clearly got under the president’s skin. Mr. Mueller reported that he could not establish any illegal conspiracy between Mr. Trump’s campaign and Russia, but he said he could not clear the president of obstruction of justice and essentially suggested that Congress take up that question.
Mr. Trump fumed with friends that Mr. Mueller was out to get him. Bill O’Reilly, the former Fox News host, told WABC-AM radio that Mr. Trump called him at 11 that night and complained about Mr. Mueller’s supposed conflicts.Mr. Trump fumed with friends that Mr. Mueller was out to get him. Bill O’Reilly, the former Fox News host, told WABC-AM radio that Mr. Trump called him at 11 that night and complained about Mr. Mueller’s supposed conflicts.
The president’s case for his own defense, however, was marred by his own contradictory statements on Thursday as he swung back and forth in his assessment of Russia’s actions during the 2016 presidential election.The president’s case for his own defense, however, was marred by his own contradictory statements on Thursday as he swung back and forth in his assessment of Russia’s actions during the 2016 presidential election.
“I had nothing to do with Russia helping me to get elected,” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter before leaving the White House in the morning. While denying any involvement, the president’s comment was an acknowledgment that Moscow not only intervened in the campaign but also did so for the express purpose of helping elect him — the consensus conclusion of the nation’s intelligence agencies.“I had nothing to do with Russia helping me to get elected,” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter before leaving the White House in the morning. While denying any involvement, the president’s comment was an acknowledgment that Moscow not only intervened in the campaign but also did so for the express purpose of helping elect him — the consensus conclusion of the nation’s intelligence agencies.
But barely a half-hour later, Mr. Trump emerged on the South Lawn and took it back. “No, Russia did not help me get elected,” he told reporters as he prepared to depart for Colorado Springs. “You know who got me elected? I got me elected. Russia didn’t help me at all. Russia, if anything, I think, helped the other side.”But barely a half-hour later, Mr. Trump emerged on the South Lawn and took it back. “No, Russia did not help me get elected,” he told reporters as he prepared to depart for Colorado Springs. “You know who got me elected? I got me elected. Russia didn’t help me at all. Russia, if anything, I think, helped the other side.”
In fact, even President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has said publicly that he favored Mr. Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016, although he has denied orchestrating an influence campaign on behalf of the Republican candidate.In fact, even President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has said publicly that he favored Mr. Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016, although he has denied orchestrating an influence campaign on behalf of the Republican candidate.
Even for a president known for contradicting himself, Mr. Trump’s divergent statements were particularly head-spinning and underscored his fitful responses to the report issued by the special counsel.Even for a president known for contradicting himself, Mr. Trump’s divergent statements were particularly head-spinning and underscored his fitful responses to the report issued by the special counsel.
Mr. Trump has gone back and forth in his assessment of Mr. Mueller’s report. When it was first delivered to the Justice Department in March, the president said, “The Mueller report was great. It could not have been better.” A month later, after a redacted version was released publicly, he called it a “total ‘hit job.’” Just this week, during a news conference in Tokyo, he called it “a beautiful report.”Mr. Trump has gone back and forth in his assessment of Mr. Mueller’s report. When it was first delivered to the Justice Department in March, the president said, “The Mueller report was great. It could not have been better.” A month later, after a redacted version was released publicly, he called it a “total ‘hit job.’” Just this week, during a news conference in Tokyo, he called it “a beautiful report.”
Likewise, after the report was first delivered, Mr. Trump said that Mr. Mueller had acted honorably. He refused to repeat that characterization when asked by reporters on Thursday.Likewise, after the report was first delivered, Mr. Trump said that Mr. Mueller had acted honorably. He refused to repeat that characterization when asked by reporters on Thursday.
Instead, Mr. Trump revived his personal attacks on Mr. Mueller, asserting that the special counsel should never have been chosen in the first place. He charged that Mr. Mueller, who was appointed by Mr. Trump’s own deputy attorney general, was conflicted because he failed to get the job he really wanted, F.B.I. director, and because he had a dispute with Mr. Trump over fees at one of his golf clubs.Instead, Mr. Trump revived his personal attacks on Mr. Mueller, asserting that the special counsel should never have been chosen in the first place. He charged that Mr. Mueller, who was appointed by Mr. Trump’s own deputy attorney general, was conflicted because he failed to get the job he really wanted, F.B.I. director, and because he had a dispute with Mr. Trump over fees at one of his golf clubs.
Those assertions were addressed and countered in Mr. Mueller’s final report. Mr. Mueller, who previously served as F.B.I. director in two administrations, did not go to the White House looking for a job, Stephen K. Bannon, who was then the president’s chief strategist, told investigators.Those assertions were addressed and countered in Mr. Mueller’s final report. Mr. Mueller, who previously served as F.B.I. director in two administrations, did not go to the White House looking for a job, Stephen K. Bannon, who was then the president’s chief strategist, told investigators.
The report said that when Mr. Mueller resigned from Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va., in 2011, he inquired whether he could receive a partial refund of his initiation fee. A club official responded that his request would be put on a wait list. The report said Mr. Mueller had no further contact with the club.The report said that when Mr. Mueller resigned from Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va., in 2011, he inquired whether he could receive a partial refund of his initiation fee. A club official responded that his request would be put on a wait list. The report said Mr. Mueller had no further contact with the club.
Mr. Bannon, the report added, “recalled telling the president that the purported conflicts were ‘ridiculous’ and that none of them was real or could come close to justifying precluding Mueller from serving as special counsel.” Donald F. McGahn II, who was then Mr. Trump’s White House counsel, likewise considered the supposed conflicts to be “silly” and hardly disqualifying, according to the report.Mr. Bannon, the report added, “recalled telling the president that the purported conflicts were ‘ridiculous’ and that none of them was real or could come close to justifying precluding Mueller from serving as special counsel.” Donald F. McGahn II, who was then Mr. Trump’s White House counsel, likewise considered the supposed conflicts to be “silly” and hardly disqualifying, according to the report.
But joining the president in his criticism of Mr. Mueller on Thursday, though in more muted tones, was William P. Barr, the attorney general. In an interview with CBS News, Mr. Barr disputed Mr. Mueller’s assertion that he could not reach a conclusion about whether Mr. Trump obstructed justice because of longstanding Justice Department legal opinion banning the indictment of a sitting president.But joining the president in his criticism of Mr. Mueller on Thursday, though in more muted tones, was William P. Barr, the attorney general. In an interview with CBS News, Mr. Barr disputed Mr. Mueller’s assertion that he could not reach a conclusion about whether Mr. Trump obstructed justice because of longstanding Justice Department legal opinion banning the indictment of a sitting president.
“He could’ve reached a conclusion,” Mr. Barr said. “The opinion says you cannot indict a president while he is in office, but he could’ve reached a decision as to whether it was criminal activity. But he had his reasons for not doing it.”“He could’ve reached a conclusion,” Mr. Barr said. “The opinion says you cannot indict a president while he is in office, but he could’ve reached a decision as to whether it was criminal activity. But he had his reasons for not doing it.”
Mr. Barr and Rod J. Rosenstein, then the deputy attorney general, rendered their own verdict after Mr. Mueller delivered his report, concluding that they did not believe Mr. Trump obstructed justice. Mr. Barr has long advanced a view of presidential power that held that actions such as those Mr. Trump took to impede the investigation were within his authority under the Constitution and therefore not criminal.Mr. Barr and Rod J. Rosenstein, then the deputy attorney general, rendered their own verdict after Mr. Mueller delivered his report, concluding that they did not believe Mr. Trump obstructed justice. Mr. Barr has long advanced a view of presidential power that held that actions such as those Mr. Trump took to impede the investigation were within his authority under the Constitution and therefore not criminal.
In the CBS interview, Mr. Barr rejected the widespread criticism among Democrats that he had abandoned any independence as attorney general and was acting as Mr. Trump’s defense lawyer by defending him and interpreting Mr. Mueller’s report in more favorable terms to the president. He said it was his critics who were being partisan.In the CBS interview, Mr. Barr rejected the widespread criticism among Democrats that he had abandoned any independence as attorney general and was acting as Mr. Trump’s defense lawyer by defending him and interpreting Mr. Mueller’s report in more favorable terms to the president. He said it was his critics who were being partisan.
The “Department of Justice is all about the law and the facts and the substance and I’m going to make the decisions based on the law and the facts,” he said. “And I realize that’s in tension with the political climate we live in because people are more interested in getting their way politically. So I think it just goes with the territory of being attorney general in a hyperpartisan period of time.”The “Department of Justice is all about the law and the facts and the substance and I’m going to make the decisions based on the law and the facts,” he said. “And I realize that’s in tension with the political climate we live in because people are more interested in getting their way politically. So I think it just goes with the territory of being attorney general in a hyperpartisan period of time.”