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Mueller: it's 'generally' fair to say Trump's answers to inquiry were not always truthful – live Mueller: it's 'generally' fair to say Trump's answers to inquiry were not always truthful – live
(32 minutes later)
What a Wednesday indeed! We’ll have more updates on and analysis of the Mueller testimony throughout the rest of the day.
Meanwhile, an update from Puerto Rico:
The Puerto Rican legislature has announced that it will begin impeachment proceedings for disgraced governor Ricardo Rosselló unless he resigns, according to journalists reporting from the US territory.
BREAKING: The Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives just said that the Governor @ricardorossello has until today to decide what he’s going to do - resign or not. If he decides to stay, the Speaker says the impeachment process will begin, & stop if he resigns.
Majority leader of #PuertoRico's lower house of congress Johnny Méndez says body expects the governor @ricardorossello to resign this afternoon and, if he does not, the body will commence with the impeachment process.
Lawyers commissioned by the president of Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives found multiple offenses that constitute grounds for impeachment, according to Telemundo. Local media reported earlier today that Rosselló is expected to resign from office today after almost two weeks of continuous protest on the island.
That’s it from me after the longest Wednesday of the year. Although, in the Trump era, next Wednesday could easily claim that title.That’s it from me after the longest Wednesday of the year. Although, in the Trump era, next Wednesday could easily claim that title.
Here are some of the most important points Mueller made this afternoon:Here are some of the most important points Mueller made this afternoon:
The special counsel emphasized that Russian election interference remains ongoing. “It wasn’t a single attempt. They’re doing it as we sit here,” Mueller said of Russia’s efforts. “And they expect to do it during the next campaign.” He later expressed fear that foreign election interference was “the new normal.”The special counsel emphasized that Russian election interference remains ongoing. “It wasn’t a single attempt. They’re doing it as we sit here,” Mueller said of Russia’s efforts. “And they expect to do it during the next campaign.” He later expressed fear that foreign election interference was “the new normal.”
Mueller said in response to a question from Democratic representative Val Demings that it was “generally” fair to say Trump’s written answers to the special counsel showed signs of being untruthful.Mueller said in response to a question from Democratic representative Val Demings that it was “generally” fair to say Trump’s written answers to the special counsel showed signs of being untruthful.
He criticized Trump’s praise of WikiLeaks during the 2016 campaign after the website shared hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee. “Problematic is an understatement,” Mueller said of Trump’s laudatory comments.He criticized Trump’s praise of WikiLeaks during the 2016 campaign after the website shared hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee. “Problematic is an understatement,” Mueller said of Trump’s laudatory comments.
Trump appeared triumphant after the hearings arguably produced no major bombshell moments. The president tweeted minutes ago, “TRUTH IS A FORCE OF NATURE!”Trump appeared triumphant after the hearings arguably produced no major bombshell moments. The president tweeted minutes ago, “TRUTH IS A FORCE OF NATURE!”
But Mueller made a point to contradict Trump’s repeated claims that his investigation constituted a “witch hunt.” Answering a question from House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff, Mueller said, “It is not a witch hunt.”But Mueller made a point to contradict Trump’s repeated claims that his investigation constituted a “witch hunt.” Answering a question from House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff, Mueller said, “It is not a witch hunt.”
And over at the White House, first lady Melania Trump is focused on a much more pressing matter today: holiday decorations.And over at the White House, first lady Melania Trump is focused on a much more pressing matter today: holiday decorations.
#Christmas planning has begun in the East Wing at the @WhiteHouse. I'm looking forward to sharing our final vision for this unique tradition in the coming months. pic.twitter.com/oxt6Bdggcl#Christmas planning has begun in the East Wing at the @WhiteHouse. I'm looking forward to sharing our final vision for this unique tradition in the coming months. pic.twitter.com/oxt6Bdggcl
I’m signing off until tomorrow. I leave the blog in the capable hands of West Coast reporter Maanvi Singh.I’m signing off until tomorrow. I leave the blog in the capable hands of West Coast reporter Maanvi Singh.
Moments ago, Mueller said in response to a question from a Democratic congresswoman that it was “generally” fair to say that Trump’s written answers were not always truthful.Moments ago, Mueller said in response to a question from a Democratic congresswoman that it was “generally” fair to say that Trump’s written answers were not always truthful.
Rep. Demings: "Isn't it fair to say [Trump's] written answers were not only inadequate and incomplete because he didn't answer many of your questions, but where he did, his answers show that he wasn't always being truthful?"Mueller: "Generally." https://t.co/CXfCvYspNV pic.twitter.com/kqJoU1QweCRep. Demings: "Isn't it fair to say [Trump's] written answers were not only inadequate and incomplete because he didn't answer many of your questions, but where he did, his answers show that he wasn't always being truthful?"Mueller: "Generally." https://t.co/CXfCvYspNV pic.twitter.com/kqJoU1QweC
Representative Val Demings, a Democrat of Florida, was asking about Trump’s credibility in terms of the written answers he provided to the special counsel.Representative Val Demings, a Democrat of Florida, was asking about Trump’s credibility in terms of the written answers he provided to the special counsel.
“Isn’t it fair to say [Trump’s] written answers were not only inadequate and incomplete because he didn’t answer many of your questions, but where he did, his answers show that he wasn’t always being truthful?” Demings asked.“Isn’t it fair to say [Trump’s] written answers were not only inadequate and incomplete because he didn’t answer many of your questions, but where he did, his answers show that he wasn’t always being truthful?” Demings asked.
“Generally,” Mueller replied.“Generally,” Mueller replied.
After nearly seven hours, the Mueller hearings have ended.After nearly seven hours, the Mueller hearings have ended.
Mueller said he chose not to subpoena Trump for the special counsel’s probe “because of the necessity of expediting the end of the investigation.”Mueller said he chose not to subpoena Trump for the special counsel’s probe “because of the necessity of expediting the end of the investigation.”
JUST IN: Mueller says the decision not to subpoena Pres. Trump was for the necessity of expediting the conclusion of investigation:"If we did subpoena the president, he would fight the subpoena and we would be in the midst of the investigation for a substantial period of time." pic.twitter.com/LRuiXEYsIiJUST IN: Mueller says the decision not to subpoena Pres. Trump was for the necessity of expediting the conclusion of investigation:"If we did subpoena the president, he would fight the subpoena and we would be in the midst of the investigation for a substantial period of time." pic.twitter.com/LRuiXEYsIi
While noting that his office initially wanted to interview Trump, the special counsel said, “The expectation was that, if we did subpoena the president, he would fight the subpoena, and we would be in the midst of the investigation for a substantial period of time.”While noting that his office initially wanted to interview Trump, the special counsel said, “The expectation was that, if we did subpoena the president, he would fight the subpoena, and we would be in the midst of the investigation for a substantial period of time.”
Representative Sean Maloney, a Democrat of New York, then asked Mueller what he thought of Trump’s written responses to questions from the special counsel’s office. “It was certainly not as useful as the interview would be,” Mueller said.Representative Sean Maloney, a Democrat of New York, then asked Mueller what he thought of Trump’s written responses to questions from the special counsel’s office. “It was certainly not as useful as the interview would be,” Mueller said.
Maloney also said that the president’s answers included more than 30 instances of Trump responding to questions by claiming he couldn’t recall.Maloney also said that the president’s answers included more than 30 instances of Trump responding to questions by claiming he couldn’t recall.
Mueller emphasized in his testimony to the House intelligence committee that Russian election interference remains ongoing.Mueller emphasized in his testimony to the House intelligence committee that Russian election interference remains ongoing.
WATCH: Mueller on Russian interference in the 2016 election: “It wasn’t a single attempt. They’re doing it as we sit here. And they expect to do it during the next campaign.”https://t.co/m9KGQtGMJ7 pic.twitter.com/s1Aa1nyLsUWATCH: Mueller on Russian interference in the 2016 election: “It wasn’t a single attempt. They’re doing it as we sit here. And they expect to do it during the next campaign.”https://t.co/m9KGQtGMJ7 pic.twitter.com/s1Aa1nyLsU
Representative Will Hurd, a Republican of Texas, asked the special counsel if his investigation turned up any evidence that Russia would again try to interfere in US elections.Representative Will Hurd, a Republican of Texas, asked the special counsel if his investigation turned up any evidence that Russia would again try to interfere in US elections.
“It wasn’t a single attempt. They’re doing it as we sit here,” Mueller responded. “And they expect to do it during the next campaign.”“It wasn’t a single attempt. They’re doing it as we sit here,” Mueller responded. “And they expect to do it during the next campaign.”
“I hope this is not the new normal, but I fear it is,” Mueller added later in response to a separate question about election interference from Peter Welch, a Democrat of Vermont.“I hope this is not the new normal, but I fear it is,” Mueller added later in response to a separate question about election interference from Peter Welch, a Democrat of Vermont.
Trump’s lawyer, Jay Sekulow, said in a statement that Mueller’s testimony revealed the “troubling deficiencies of the special counsel’s investigation.”Trump’s lawyer, Jay Sekulow, said in a statement that Mueller’s testimony revealed the “troubling deficiencies of the special counsel’s investigation.”
“The testimony revealed that this probe was conducted by a small group of politically biased prosecutors who, as hard as they tried, were unable to establish either obstruction, conspiracy, or collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia,” the president’s lawyer said. “The American people understand that this issue is over. They also understand that the case is closed.”“The testimony revealed that this probe was conducted by a small group of politically biased prosecutors who, as hard as they tried, were unable to establish either obstruction, conspiracy, or collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia,” the president’s lawyer said. “The American people understand that this issue is over. They also understand that the case is closed.”
...who, as hard as they tried, were unable to establish either obstruction, conspiracy, or collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. It is also clear that the Special Counsel conducted his two-year investigation unimpeded....who, as hard as they tried, were unable to establish either obstruction, conspiracy, or collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. It is also clear that the Special Counsel conducted his two-year investigation unimpeded.
Mueller confirmed, in response to a question from Democratic representative Eric Swalwell, that the special counsel’s investigation “was hampered by Trump campaign officials’ use of encryption communications.”Mueller confirmed, in response to a question from Democratic representative Eric Swalwell, that the special counsel’s investigation “was hampered by Trump campaign officials’ use of encryption communications.”
“We believe that to be the case,” Mueller replied to Swalwell.“We believe that to be the case,” Mueller replied to Swalwell.
"Your investigation was hampered by Trump campaign officials' use of encryption communications, is that right?""We believe that to be the case," Robert Mueller says. https://t.co/CXfCvYspNV #MuellerHearings pic.twitter.com/CiloWjjTJe"Your investigation was hampered by Trump campaign officials' use of encryption communications, is that right?""We believe that to be the case," Robert Mueller says. https://t.co/CXfCvYspNV #MuellerHearings pic.twitter.com/CiloWjjTJe
This is from Mueller’s report on some Trump campaign officials’ use of encrypted communication apps:This is from Mueller’s report on some Trump campaign officials’ use of encrypted communication apps:
Further, the Office learned that some of the individuals we interviewed or whose conduct we investigated-including some associated with the Trump Campaign — deleted relevant communications or communicated during the relevant period using applications that feature encryption or that do not provide for long-term retention of data or communications records. In such cases, the Office was not able to corroborate witness statements through comparison to contemporaneous communications or fully question witnesses about statements that appeared inconsistent with other known facts.Further, the Office learned that some of the individuals we interviewed or whose conduct we investigated-including some associated with the Trump Campaign — deleted relevant communications or communicated during the relevant period using applications that feature encryption or that do not provide for long-term retention of data or communications records. In such cases, the Office was not able to corroborate witness statements through comparison to contemporaneous communications or fully question witnesses about statements that appeared inconsistent with other known facts.
CNN is reporting that Trump’s mood has noticeably improved after Mueller’s appearance before the House judiciary committee.CNN is reporting that Trump’s mood has noticeably improved after Mueller’s appearance before the House judiciary committee.
Reporter Kaitlan Collins said the president’s reaction to the special counsel’s testimony has been “triumphant.” Trump has also kept up his Twitter activity, resharing messages from congressional allies criticizing Mueller and his team.Reporter Kaitlan Collins said the president’s reaction to the special counsel’s testimony has been “triumphant.” Trump has also kept up his Twitter activity, resharing messages from congressional allies criticizing Mueller and his team.
And the communications director of Trump’s re-election campaign said Democrats were getting “routed” in the hearings.And the communications director of Trump’s re-election campaign said Democrats were getting “routed” in the hearings.
End of the 3rd quarter in the Democrats’ Mueller Super Bowl and they’re getting routed.End of the 3rd quarter in the Democrats’ Mueller Super Bowl and they’re getting routed.
Mueller took serious issue with a claim from representative Chris Stewart, a Republican of Utah, that the special counsel’s office was leaking during its investigation.Mueller took serious issue with a claim from representative Chris Stewart, a Republican of Utah, that the special counsel’s office was leaking during its investigation.
"I do not believe that." Mueller pushes back against accusation of leaks from his office: "From the outset, we'd undertaken to make certain that we minimized the possibility of leaks. I think we were successful over the two years we were in operation." https://t.co/CXfCvYspNV pic.twitter.com/8AtLyUEU0d"I do not believe that." Mueller pushes back against accusation of leaks from his office: "From the outset, we'd undertaken to make certain that we minimized the possibility of leaks. I think we were successful over the two years we were in operation." https://t.co/CXfCvYspNV pic.twitter.com/8AtLyUEU0d
The special counsel’s office was infamous in Washington for being leak-proof, but Stewart pointed to news reports about the investigation to argue that members of Mueller’s team were sharing information with reporters.The special counsel’s office was infamous in Washington for being leak-proof, but Stewart pointed to news reports about the investigation to argue that members of Mueller’s team were sharing information with reporters.
“I do not believe that,” Mueller told Stewart. “From the outset, we’d undertaken to make certain that we minimized the possibility of leaks. I think we were successful over the two years we were in operation.”“I do not believe that,” Mueller told Stewart. “From the outset, we’d undertaken to make certain that we minimized the possibility of leaks. I think we were successful over the two years we were in operation.”
Mueller described Trump’s 2016 praise of WikiLeaks as, at the very least, problematic.Mueller described Trump’s 2016 praise of WikiLeaks as, at the very least, problematic.
Representative Mike Quigley, a Democrat of Illinois, documented the many instances of Trump applauding the website after it leaked emails from the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 campaign.Representative Mike Quigley, a Democrat of Illinois, documented the many instances of Trump applauding the website after it leaked emails from the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 campaign.
Quigley then turned to Mueller, who said of Trump’s repeated praise, “Problematic is an understatement ... in terms of giving some hope or some boost to what is and should be illegal activity.”Quigley then turned to Mueller, who said of Trump’s repeated praise, “Problematic is an understatement ... in terms of giving some hope or some boost to what is and should be illegal activity.”
"I love Wikileaks." "This Wikileaks is like a treasure trove." "Boy, I love reading those Wikileaks."@RepMikeQuigley asks Mueller to react to Trump's statement's on Wikileaks. "Problematic is an understatement," Mueller says https://t.co/Nwn1OnEyZi pic.twitter.com/SgLJm2T05s"I love Wikileaks." "This Wikileaks is like a treasure trove." "Boy, I love reading those Wikileaks."@RepMikeQuigley asks Mueller to react to Trump's statement's on Wikileaks. "Problematic is an understatement," Mueller says https://t.co/Nwn1OnEyZi pic.twitter.com/SgLJm2T05s
Mueller told representative Jackie Speier, a Democrat of California, that he hopes his report serves as a “message to those who come after us”.Mueller told representative Jackie Speier, a Democrat of California, that he hopes his report serves as a “message to those who come after us”.
Asked what he wanted the American people to glean from his report, Mueller called it “a signal, a flag, to those of us who have some responsibility in this area, to exercise those responsibilities swiftly and don’t let this problem continue to linger.”Asked what he wanted the American people to glean from his report, Mueller called it “a signal, a flag, to those of us who have some responsibility in this area, to exercise those responsibilities swiftly and don’t let this problem continue to linger.”
Mueller is asked what he wants the American people to get out his reportHe calls it "a signal, a flag, to those of us who have some responsibility in this area, to exercise those responsibilities swiftly and don't let this problem continue to linger" https://t.co/vfH5a3U30H pic.twitter.com/xeqAsevaXEMueller is asked what he wants the American people to get out his reportHe calls it "a signal, a flag, to those of us who have some responsibility in this area, to exercise those responsibilities swiftly and don't let this problem continue to linger" https://t.co/vfH5a3U30H pic.twitter.com/xeqAsevaXE
Representative Mark Meadows, a Republican of North Carolina and a close ally of Trump, was seen at the White House a few minutes ago, per a CNN reporter.Representative Mark Meadows, a Republican of North Carolina and a close ally of Trump, was seen at the White House a few minutes ago, per a CNN reporter.
Meadows sat in on Mueller’s hearing before the House judiciary committee this morning and has been tweeting about his testimony all day, accusing the special counsel of having no control over his team.Meadows sat in on Mueller’s hearing before the House judiciary committee this morning and has been tweeting about his testimony all day, accusing the special counsel of having no control over his team.
Mueller still struggling to answer even basic questions. He can’t accurately remember facts, evidence, or even his own conclusions.Folks—this guy didn’t run the investigation. His team of Resistance Democrats did.And they used it as a weapon to target a President they hated.Mueller still struggling to answer even basic questions. He can’t accurately remember facts, evidence, or even his own conclusions.Folks—this guy didn’t run the investigation. His team of Resistance Democrats did.And they used it as a weapon to target a President they hated.
Our colleague Sabrina Siddiqui analyzes several of the key takeaways from Mueller’s morning testimony:Our colleague Sabrina Siddiqui analyzes several of the key takeaways from Mueller’s morning testimony:
Trump was not exonerated.Trump was not exonerated.
Mueller and his team were never going to indict Trump.Mueller and his team were never going to indict Trump.
Trump could be charged with a crime after leaving office.Trump could be charged with a crime after leaving office.
Republicans focused on discrediting Mueller.Republicans focused on discrediting Mueller.
Mueller says he did not seek FBI director job.Mueller says he did not seek FBI director job.
Mueller confirms several episodes of possible obstruction.Mueller confirms several episodes of possible obstruction.
Representative Mike Turner, a Republican of Ohio, brought out a sign with a CNN chyron to grill Mueller on his comments about exoneration.Representative Mike Turner, a Republican of Ohio, brought out a sign with a CNN chyron to grill Mueller on his comments about exoneration.
And now a sign with a @CNN chyron pic.twitter.com/50kbPj94bNAnd now a sign with a @CNN chyron pic.twitter.com/50kbPj94bN
The special counsel said during his testimony before the House judiciary committee that his report did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice. Republicans are now arguing that it was not Mueller’s call whether or not to exonerate the president.The special counsel said during his testimony before the House judiciary committee that his report did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice. Republicans are now arguing that it was not Mueller’s call whether or not to exonerate the president.