After two years, Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation is finished. Mueller found no evidence that President Donald Trump’s campaign “conspired or coordinated” with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election. However, the report didn’t settle the question of whether Trump obstructed justice or hindered the legal process surrounding the investigation. Mueller’s announcement brought claims of victory from the White House—but began new rounds of political and legal fighting.
Attorney General William Barr says Mueller “thoroughly” investigated the question of whether the Trump campaign participated in Russia’s election interference. The inquiry issued more than 2,800 subpoenas, obtained nearly 500 search warrants, and interviewed 500 witnesses.
Mueller’s findings represent a victory for Trump on a key question that has shadowed his presidency from the start—whether his campaign worked with Russia to defeat Hillary Clinton.
Trump cheered the outcome but also voiced his resentment of the investigations. “It’s a shame that our country has had to go through this. To be honest, it’s a shame that your president has had to go through this,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, Democrats are demanding to see Mueller’s full report. They insist that Barr’s four-page summary doesn’t put Trump completely in the clear.
“Attorney General Barr’s letter raises as many questions as it answers,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer say. They and others point out that although he ruled out criminal involvement, Mueller didn’t rule out presidential obstruction of justice.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders says Trump will let Barr decide whether the report should be publicly released, claiming that “[the President is] more than happy for any of this stuff to come out.”
For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. — Luke 8:17
(Special Counsel Robert Mueller walks past the White House after attending services at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, Sunday, March 24, 2019. Mueller closed his Russia investigation with no new charges, ending the probe that has shadowed Donald Trump's presidency. AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
