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| Mueller report: Eight things we only just learned | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, released in a 448-page redacted report on Thursday, paints a decidedly mixed picture of President Donald Trump's conduct, both suspicious and exculpatory, that both sides of the political divide will seize upon. | Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, released in a 448-page redacted report on Thursday, paints a decidedly mixed picture of President Donald Trump's conduct, both suspicious and exculpatory, that both sides of the political divide will seize upon. |
| As Attorney General William Barr said last month, the inquiry into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election did not conclude that Mr Trump committed a crime, but it also did not exonerate him. | As Attorney General William Barr said last month, the inquiry into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election did not conclude that Mr Trump committed a crime, but it also did not exonerate him. |
| Mr Trump already has the result he insisted on from the outset: no collusion. While it is unclear if the document contains any "smoking gun" that might make impeachment proceedings against the president any more likely, there are enough potential red flags in there to keep congressional hearings ticking over for the remainder of his term in office. | Mr Trump already has the result he insisted on from the outset: no collusion. While it is unclear if the document contains any "smoking gun" that might make impeachment proceedings against the president any more likely, there are enough potential red flags in there to keep congressional hearings ticking over for the remainder of his term in office. |
| 'This is the end of my presidency' | 'This is the end of my presidency' |
| One of the most talked-about sections of the report details the president's expletive-filled horror when he learned that a special counsel was being appointed in May 2017. | One of the most talked-about sections of the report details the president's expletive-filled horror when he learned that a special counsel was being appointed in May 2017. |
| According to the Mueller report, when then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions told the president about the coming inquiry, he replied: "Oh my god. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency." He added two expletives to describe his situation. | According to the Mueller report, when then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions told the president about the coming inquiry, he replied: "Oh my god. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency." He added two expletives to describe his situation. |
| Mr Trump added: "Everyone tells me if you get one of these independent counsels, it ruins your presidency. It takes years and years and I won't be able to do anything. This is the worst thing that ever happened to me." | Mr Trump added: "Everyone tells me if you get one of these independent counsels, it ruins your presidency. It takes years and years and I won't be able to do anything. This is the worst thing that ever happened to me." |
| While it does not sound like the reaction of a man who had nothing to hide, the president's team will surely argue he was merely concerned about how the probe would distract from his policy agenda. | While it does not sound like the reaction of a man who had nothing to hide, the president's team will surely argue he was merely concerned about how the probe would distract from his policy agenda. |
| 'Mueller has to go' | 'Mueller has to go' |
| A key witness in the obstruction investigation was former White House counsel Donald McGahn, who spent more than 30 hours being interviewed by the Mueller team. | A key witness in the obstruction investigation was former White House counsel Donald McGahn, who spent more than 30 hours being interviewed by the Mueller team. |
| The report details how on 17 June 2017, the president called Mr McGahn from Camp David and ordered him to have the special counsel removed. The report notes that Mr Trump's advisers told him his claim that Mr Mueller had conflicts of interest was "meritless". | The report details how on 17 June 2017, the president called Mr McGahn from Camp David and ordered him to have the special counsel removed. The report notes that Mr Trump's advisers told him his claim that Mr Mueller had conflicts of interest was "meritless". |
| Mr McGahn told the Mueller team that the president had called him at home twice and on both occasions directed him to call Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and say that Mr Mueller should no longer serve as special counsel. | Mr McGahn told the Mueller team that the president had called him at home twice and on both occasions directed him to call Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and say that Mr Mueller should no longer serve as special counsel. |
| On the second call, Mr McGahn said the president was more direct, saying: "Call Rod, tell Rod that Mueller has conflicts and can't be the Special Counsel", and "Mueller has to go" and "Call me back when you do it." | On the second call, Mr McGahn said the president was more direct, saying: "Call Rod, tell Rod that Mueller has conflicts and can't be the Special Counsel", and "Mueller has to go" and "Call me back when you do it." |
| Mr McGahn was so upset by the interference that he threatened to quit rather than aid what he predicted would be a Nixon-style "Saturday Night Massacre". | Mr McGahn was so upset by the interference that he threatened to quit rather than aid what he predicted would be a Nixon-style "Saturday Night Massacre". |
| No vindication on obstruction | No vindication on obstruction |
| On potential obstruction of justice, the Mueller report makes clear the inquiry is far from the "total exoneration" claimed by Mr Trump during a victory lap last month. | On potential obstruction of justice, the Mueller report makes clear the inquiry is far from the "total exoneration" claimed by Mr Trump during a victory lap last month. |
| The report ultimately concludes: "Unlike cases in which a subject engages in obstruction of justice to cover up a crime, the evidence we obtained did not establish that the President was involved in an underlying crime related to Russian election interference." | The report ultimately concludes: "Unlike cases in which a subject engages in obstruction of justice to cover up a crime, the evidence we obtained did not establish that the President was involved in an underlying crime related to Russian election interference." |
| It adds: "Obstruction of a criminal investigation is punishable even if the prosecution is ultimately unsuccessful or even if the investigation ultimately reveals no underlying crime." | It adds: "Obstruction of a criminal investigation is punishable even if the prosecution is ultimately unsuccessful or even if the investigation ultimately reveals no underlying crime." |
| But the report also pointedly notes: | But the report also pointedly notes: |
| "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, however, we are unable to reach that judgment. The evidence we obtained about the President'sactions and intent presents difficult issues that prevent us from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred." | "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, however, we are unable to reach that judgment. The evidence we obtained about the President'sactions and intent presents difficult issues that prevent us from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred." |
| While the report acknowledges a sitting president cannot be indicted, it also hints at Congress' ability to investigate and potentially impeach Mr Trump over obstruction of justice. | |
| It says: "Congress may apply the obstruction laws to the President's corrupt exercise of the powers of office accords with our constitutional system of checks and balances and the principle that no person is above the law." | |
| How Trump tried to influence inquiry | How Trump tried to influence inquiry |
| The report cites 10 instances that were investigated as potential obstruction by Mr Trump, including "public attacks on the investigation, non-public efforts to control it". | The report cites 10 instances that were investigated as potential obstruction by Mr Trump, including "public attacks on the investigation, non-public efforts to control it". |
| Most of them have already been well documented such as Mr Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey. | Most of them have already been well documented such as Mr Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey. |
| But it includes other incidents that confirm previous US media reports that were denied at the time by the White House. | But it includes other incidents that confirm previous US media reports that were denied at the time by the White House. |
| When Trump learned the media was asking questions about the 9 June 2016, meeting at Trump Tower between senior campaign officials, including Donald Trump Jr, and a Russian lawyer who was said to be offering "dirt" on Hillary Clinton, the president took action to mislead the public, says the report. | When Trump learned the media was asking questions about the 9 June 2016, meeting at Trump Tower between senior campaign officials, including Donald Trump Jr, and a Russian lawyer who was said to be offering "dirt" on Hillary Clinton, the president took action to mislead the public, says the report. |
| "Before the emails became public, the President edited a press statement for Trump Jr by deleting a line that acknowledged that the meeting was with 'an individual who [Trump Jr] was told might have information helpful to the campaign' and instead said only that the meeting was about adoptions of Russian children." | "Before the emails became public, the President edited a press statement for Trump Jr by deleting a line that acknowledged that the meeting was with 'an individual who [Trump Jr] was told might have information helpful to the campaign' and instead said only that the meeting was about adoptions of Russian children." |
| Mr Trump also asked former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to get Attorney General Jeff Sessions to announce publicly that the investigation was "very unfair" and Mr Trump had done nothing wrong, says the report. | Mr Trump also asked former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to get Attorney General Jeff Sessions to announce publicly that the investigation was "very unfair" and Mr Trump had done nothing wrong, says the report. |
| After Jeff Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation, leaving an enraged Mr Trump feeling that he was losing control of the inquiry, the president pressed his attorney general that if he would only "unrecuse" himself he would be "hero". | After Jeff Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation, leaving an enraged Mr Trump feeling that he was losing control of the inquiry, the president pressed his attorney general that if he would only "unrecuse" himself he would be "hero". |
| Refusal to 'carry out orders' | Refusal to 'carry out orders' |
| The Mueller report found that potential obstruction of justice by the president only failed because members of his administration refused to "carry out orders", including former FBI Director James Comey, former White House counsel Don McGahn and former campaign manager Corey Lewandowksi. | The Mueller report found that potential obstruction of justice by the president only failed because members of his administration refused to "carry out orders", including former FBI Director James Comey, former White House counsel Don McGahn and former campaign manager Corey Lewandowksi. |
| In a damning passage, the document says: | In a damning passage, the document says: |
| "The President's efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the President declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests. Comey did not end the investigation of Flynn, which ultimately resulted in Flynn's prosecution and conviction for lying to the FBI. McGahn did not tell the Acting Attorney General that the Special Counsel must be removed, but was instead prepared to resign over the President's order. Lewandowski and Dearborn did not deliver the President 's message to Sessions that he should confine the Russia investigation to future election meddling only. And McGahn refused to recede from his recollections about events surrounding the President's direction to have the Special Counsel removed, despite the President's multiple demands that he do so. Consistent with that pattern, the evidence we obtained would not support potential obstruction charges against the President's aides and associates beyond those already filed." | "The President's efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the President declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests. Comey did not end the investigation of Flynn, which ultimately resulted in Flynn's prosecution and conviction for lying to the FBI. McGahn did not tell the Acting Attorney General that the Special Counsel must be removed, but was instead prepared to resign over the President's order. Lewandowski and Dearborn did not deliver the President 's message to Sessions that he should confine the Russia investigation to future election meddling only. And McGahn refused to recede from his recollections about events surrounding the President's direction to have the Special Counsel removed, despite the President's multiple demands that he do so. Consistent with that pattern, the evidence we obtained would not support potential obstruction charges against the President's aides and associates beyond those already filed." |
| 'Inadequate written answers' | 'Inadequate written answers' |
| Close followers of the Mueller saga may recall that in January 2018 at the White House, President Trump told reporters that he was "looking forward" to sitting down for an interview with Mr Mueller, that he would "love to do that as soon as possible", and boasted he would do so under oath. | Close followers of the Mueller saga may recall that in January 2018 at the White House, President Trump told reporters that he was "looking forward" to sitting down for an interview with Mr Mueller, that he would "love to do that as soon as possible", and boasted he would do so under oath. |
| But in the event, the report notes, "after more than a year of discussion, the President declined to be interviewed". | But in the event, the report notes, "after more than a year of discussion, the President declined to be interviewed". |
| He agreed to submit written answers to the special counsel's questions to Russia-related matters, but declined to "provide written answers to questions on obstruction topics or questions on events during his transition", the report notes. | He agreed to submit written answers to the special counsel's questions to Russia-related matters, but declined to "provide written answers to questions on obstruction topics or questions on events during his transition", the report notes. |
| The Mueller report states: "Recognizing that the President would not be interviewed voluntarily, we considered whether to subpoena for his testimony. We viewed his written answers to be inadequate." | The Mueller report states: "Recognizing that the President would not be interviewed voluntarily, we considered whether to subpoena for his testimony. We viewed his written answers to be inadequate." |
| But the Mueller team said they ultimately decided not to subpoena Mr Trump because of the likelihood of litigation would cause a substantial delay at a late stage in the inquiry. | But the Mueller team said they ultimately decided not to subpoena Mr Trump because of the likelihood of litigation would cause a substantial delay at a late stage in the inquiry. |
| No collusion | No collusion |
| The report found there were a number of contacts between members of Trump's circle and Russia and the campaign "expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts". | The report found there were a number of contacts between members of Trump's circle and Russia and the campaign "expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts". |
| It also "showed interest" in the Wikileaks release of hacked emails and "welcomed their potential to damage" Hillary Clinton. | It also "showed interest" in the Wikileaks release of hacked emails and "welcomed their potential to damage" Hillary Clinton. |
| While political critics will paint such an attitude as unpatriotic, the Mueller team makes clear it did not amount to a criminal conspiracy. | While political critics will paint such an attitude as unpatriotic, the Mueller team makes clear it did not amount to a criminal conspiracy. |
| "The Russian contacts consisted of business connections, offers of assistance to the campaign, invitations for candidate Trump and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to meet in person, invitations for campaign officials and representatives of the Russian government to meet, and policy positions seeking improved US-Russian relations. | "The Russian contacts consisted of business connections, offers of assistance to the campaign, invitations for candidate Trump and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to meet in person, invitations for campaign officials and representatives of the Russian government to meet, and policy positions seeking improved US-Russian relations. |
| "While the investigation identified numerous links between individuals with ties to the Russian government and individuals associated with the Trump campaign, the evidence was not sufficient to support criminal charges. | "While the investigation identified numerous links between individuals with ties to the Russian government and individuals associated with the Trump campaign, the evidence was not sufficient to support criminal charges. |
| "The investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or co-ordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities." | "The investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or co-ordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities." |
| Why Sessions, Trump Jr and Kushner weren't prosecuted | |
| The Mueller team did not indict then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions for perjury to Congress when he wrongly testified that he had no contact with Russians during the campaign because of the inexact wording of the questions, according to the report. | |
| "The evidence is not sufficient to prove that Sessions gave knowingly false answers to Russia-related questions in light of the wording and context of those questions," the report says. | |
| It also makes clear Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner and other campaign staff were on legally thin ice with their June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower with a Russian lawyer. | |
| The Mueller team says they declined to prosecute the president's eldest son and son-in-law for campaign finance violations because they couldn't prove they had "willfully" violated the law. |