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Trump declares Mueller testimony a win for the White House

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By JONATHAN LEMIRE and DARLENE SUPERVILLE

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I personally think Donnie doesn't want a second term

I personally think he does, and he's going to get it. MAGA, Baby!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Obstruction of Justice has three elements of proof;

“Let me refer you to page 87 and 88 of volume 2 where you conclude the attempt to remove the special counsel would qualify as an obstructive act if it would naturally obstruct the investigation and any grand-jury proceedings that might flow from the inquiry. Correct?” Jeffries asked.

“Yes,” Mueller said, confirming the obstructive act.

“Your report found on page 89, volume 2, that substantial evidence indicates that by June 17, the president knew his conduct was under investigation by a federal prosecutor who would present any evidence of federal crimes to a grand jury. True?” Jeffries asked.

“True,” Mueller said, confirming the nexus to an official proceeding.

Jeffries then moved on to the third element, corrupt intent, and Mueller once again effectively affirmed the point:

Jeffries: Is it fair to say the president viewed the special counsel’s investigation as adverse to his own interest?

Mueller: I think that generally is true.

Jeffries: The investigation found evidence, quote, “that the president knew that he should not have directed Don McGahn to fire the special counsel.” Correct?

Mueller: Where do you have that quote? I see that. Yes, that’s accurate

BINGO! There it is...the smoking gun....

I personally think Donnie doesn't want a second term - he wants to go back to hosting his reality TV show and hanging out with bimbos. But as long as he is President, he can't be indicted, so look for him to campaign hard for another 4 years so he doesn't have to sit in the dock.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Or do Dems plan to divide the country until 2025 then spend 2025-2027 trying to prosecute him again? That’s helpful.

what is helpful is to bring people to justice when its clear they committed a crime. your position shouldn't shields you from justice. Justice should be served no matter who you are , nobody is above the law. Ill predict that Trumps retirement wont be as relaxing as he thinks

2 ( +2 / -0 )

but this article is about this investigation. So no there are no charges “waiting” for 78 year old Donald Trump in 2025. Or do Dems plan to divide the country until 2025 then spend 2025-2027 trying to prosecute him again? That’s helpful.

oh yes he is, maybe not from FBI but Im guessing there will be an avalance of litigation against him for various other allegations.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

WTF, with respect, Russia is nothing. The last vestige of a once powerful evil empire. Yesterday's news and yesterday's foe.

and they still have more nukes than the US, their millitary can hold its own in Europe and against NATO, Georgia and Ukraine clearly show that. Now America has to try and contain China as well and if China and Russia continue theyre milliatry allianace theyll be more than enough to match anything the US throws at them.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If he commits that offense in the future certainly. He hasn’t committed it as of the end of this investigation.

Buck: You believe that you could charge the President of the United States with obstruction of justice after he left office?

Mueller: Yes

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Buck: You believe that you could charge the President of the United States with obstruction of justice after he left office?

Mueller: Yes

Good luck with that, if they think they are having troubles now, they’ll have even bigger ones if they do decide to pursue this after he leaves office because for one thing, the President will have more than enough proof to show that he’s being harassed and on that charge alone, it will ignite a lot of legal troubles for the prosecution. But if they want to try again, please do...

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

No he is not open to charges when he leaves office

Buck: Could you charge the President with a crime after he left office?

Mueller: Yes.

Buck: You believe that you could charge the President of the United States with obstruction of justice after he left office?

Mueller: Yes

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Lincoln, no denying the attempts by Russia to interfere. Did they want Trump to win? Perhaps. But again, not enough evidence to support any collusion or conspiracy. Cetainly not enough to influence the outcome of the election.

I think the conclusion that the interference was not enough to influence the outcome is debatable. As the report said, that interference was "sweeping and systemic." When you see what Russia was promoting, then see the exact same thing being aired on Fox News and other right-wing outlets, you have to question how much of an impact that had.

Personally, I find the focus on Russia to be distracting and wasteful. It takes away from looking at the REAL geopolitical opponent of the US- China.

I would agree with you that China is a threat and an opponent. I don't think it is yet a strategic adversary like Russia. China wants one thing - for the US to leave the Pacific, so China can assert itself and have all the other Pacific nations turn into vassal-like states paying tribute to a paternalistic Great China. But it still needs the US - primarily as a market for its products. Russia has no intersecting interests with the US, and Putin and his cabal have a visceral dislike for the US and Europe which promote freedom, respect for humans rights, and the rule of law. While both pose a threat, Russia is the larger one.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Total disaster for Dems and Mueller. 

That was beyond a disaster. Mueller came off as another deer in the headlights suttering Biden. Didn’t know a lot of the answers, had to ask his deputy assistant for times, quotes and where and what points, it was painful to watch, even a lot of liberal pundits like Brian Williams was calling it a complete disaster as well as CNN Jeff Tobin.

it seems he hasn’t read his own report and he made the same exact false statement again that he had to retract last time too. 

EVIDENTLY NOT.

Interesting how things referenced in his report can be out of his “purview”.

Once again, another sleeper and a wasted effort at trying to dig for rabbits.

But I gotta give it to Jim Jordan, he really cornered and put Mueller on his heels, the old man had zero comeback, beautiful! The Dems are sealing their fate for once again failing in retaking the WH. Too funny.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The Democrats should pay for the cost of this silly investigation with their own salaries

why Mueller's investigation has resulted in multiple arrests and convictions and the assets confiscated have actually made the taxpayer a profit. Clinton's investigation actually cost more yet the Republicans didnt refund any of that did they.

https://fortune.com/2018/12/14/mueller-investigation-cost-tax-cheats/

3 ( +3 / -0 )

WTF, with respect, Russia is nothing. The last vestige of a once powerful evil empire. Yesterday's news and yesterday's foe. Their military budget is lower than France's. Navy is rusting at the docks. Very limited ability to project power and influence beyond their immediate land borders. Worrying about Russia is the geopolitical equivalent of worrying about the KKK domestically. A shadow of a former enemy.

China is rising and expanding globally. Plus, thanks to stupid demographic decisions, China has tens of millions of excess men who will be unable to find partners. This makes the country especially volatile socially, which will lead to adventurism abroad.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

The report in of itself is of little consequence long term.

After leaving office - whether that is in a year or so or 4 years or so - Trump will be pounced on.

Aside from from his proclivity to warm up to despots, moguls, Big Incs etc, there will be little than he can do to make his retirement years anything but peaceful.

There are dozens of legal writs/suits/claims that the pirhanas of Law Inc are waiting to plunge their razor sharp little cutters into.

Trump should take a pill and mellow out and enjoy the ride. Because, it's what comes after that's going to wring him dry and the media will have a field day.

And as "not the president" in 1 or 5 years, the swamp will flood his gold dinghy.

Not my opinion - fact is they're all waiting.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Personally, I find the focus on Russia to be distracting and wasteful.

oh ok since Russia has been the US main political and military foe for that last 50yrs its fine because China are the bad guys now. Fact is Russia and China are now military, political and economical rivals of the US , and not even the US will be able to contain both of them

1 ( +2 / -1 )

No he is not open to charges when he leaves office

oh yes he is, maybe not from FBI but Im guessing there will be an avalance of litigation against him for various other allegations.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Mueller is an Establishment (capital "E") clam who plays by the rules of the "Game of Power"; he has made it very clear that he is not going to rock the status quo.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Lincoln, no denying the attempts by Russia to interfere. Did they want Trump to win? Perhaps. But again, not enough evidence to support any collusion or conspiracy. Cetainly not enough to influence the outcome of the election.

Personally, I find the focus on Russia to be distracting and wasteful. It takes away from looking at the REAL geopolitical opponent of the US- China.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Rep. Deminos: "Director Mueller, isn't it fair to say that the president's written answers were not only inadequate and incomplete because he didn't answer many of your questions but where he did his answers showed that he wasn't always being truthful?"

Robert Mueller: "I would say . . . uh . . . generally."

And there you have it. The president was generally untruthful when answering the former FBI director's questions.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Lincoln, you may want to dial back just a bit on the vituperation.

I'll let the Trumpers do that - they're quite experienced at trying to excuse this President's unethical, immoral, and criminal behavior.

If everyone who lied disappeared from Washington, the city would be a ghost town. 

And that's a perfect example of that attempt at an excuse...

The main conclusion of the report was that Russia did try to interfere in the election,

You forgot to add..."because they perceived it would benefit from a Trump Presidency"...

Nothing new there. 

Really, then why do a majority of Trumpers still deny it?

It's all a geopolitical game, and for certain members of Congress to get all shocked by it is, to be kind, disingenuous.

Another example...

The curtain is coming down in the Putin/Trump Presidency...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Hopefully this link is still fully up, please review.....It is remarkable and embarrassing.

Watch live: GOP leaders react to Mueller's testimony, Democrats | NBC News......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTQPVI9ac2k

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Good question, but I like it.

Perhaps Muller IS not as sharp as he once was, as I said he is 74 years old. Happens to the best of us eventually. Although I have a sneaking feeling that he was playing possum a bit. Pretending a bit to be a doddering old codger, asking for constant repetition of questions (which conveniently would run out the clock), being a bit sharp and curmudgeonly with his answers.... nothing that anyone can use.

I think it all was a big FU to Congress. He said before that he didn't want to testify. So, ask the man to testify against his wishes and this is what you get.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

What on earth is former special counsel Robert Mueller thinking of, or succumbed to early stage dementia?

Has Mueller been got at or is he unable, or unwilling to fulfil his duty.

The man is in a coma, where is the evidence?

With due respect to Donald Trump, he is not remotely “Francis Underwood style”, politically capable of staging the conspiracy he is being accused off.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The Democrats should pay for the cost of this silly investigation with their own salaries.

The pubs do 47 investigations into Hillary that result in nothing, and the pubs are saying that the Democrats should pay for a single investigation, that came up with significant results.

A million facepalms.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Lincoln, you may want to dial back just a bit on the vituperation. If everyone who lied disappeared from Washington, the city would be a ghost town. The main conclusion of the report was that Russia did try to interfere in the election, but not in conspiracy with the Trump campaign. Nothing new there. Russia (and other countries) have been interfering in elections for decades. The same way the US has interfered in other countries' elections. It's all a geopolitical game, and for certain members of Congress to get all shocked by it is, to be kind, disingenuous.

As for not exonerating Trump, that wasn't Mueller's job. He is a prosecutor not an exonerator.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

The statement in the top photo says it all;

"The investigation established that the Russian government perceived it would benefit from a Trump Presidency and worked to secure that outcome"

How did that work proceed? By meeting with 7 members of the Trump campaign or family - who all then lied about those contacts;

Manafort lied

Flynn lied

Papdapolous lied

Gates lied

Don Jr lied

Cohen lied

Stone lied

And the testimony by Mueller proved Trump lied when he dictated the memo saying the meeting with Russians at Trump Tower was about adoptions...

Raise the Russian flag over the White House - that's where this President's loyalty lies...(no pun intended)...

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Texas:. The question has been

If everyone made it through the night. You seem OK.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Nothing but respect for Director Mueller. He has a long record of service to his country and deserves to be left out of these partisan spectacles. However, he did look more than a little tired, to be kind. Gotta remember that the man is 74 years old, he should be playing with his grandchildren and enjoying a comfortable retirement. The last thing he wants is to be sat in front of a group of jackholes like these and badgered by them.

I have the feeling that he just wanted to answer as quickly and concisely as possible, and go home. He made this abundantly clear when he delivered the report several months ago- he did not want to testify other than what was in the report, and if called to testify he would have nothing new to say. He kept his word.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

After his appearance before today's committees, the question now is did Mueller even read it?

Not likely. Mueller was so dazed and confused he probably couldn’t testify to what he had for breakfast this morning. Hillary’s boy Weinstein was running the investigation. His is the guy that should have been subpoenaed.

The big takeaway from today’s hearing was why, after Mueller admitted that Mifsud lied three times, did he mysteriously refrain from prosecuting him?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Mueller was warning you, America. He wants you to realize for yourselves that you need to get Trump out in 2020. Remember when Trump told everyone he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and not lose votes? He's calling you all suckers... everybody... Republicans and Democrats alike. Get rid of him.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The embarrassing occupant of the White House is delusional. He has a difficult time with the truth.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

The Democrats should pay for the cost of this silly investigation with their own salaries. They have become such a joke. Im enjoying the show, and thats not the one thats on CNN, but the one that the Dems are giving us daily because its now almost 100% that they have destroyed any credibility for their election prospects in 2020. If Trump can throttle his stupid tweets, seems certain he will win.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

So Mueller emphatically states that he didn't clear Trump and Republicans hear that Trump was cleared. Lol. It doesn't get any better than that.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The question has been adequately answered that Mueller didn’t write the report; asking numerous times for citations from even democrat socialists who were forced to tell him repeatedly they were quoting from his own "work".

After his appearance before today's committees, the question now is did Mueller even read it?

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Trump has been compromised financially by multiple countries and is vulnerable to foreign influence -- and he knows this is true. One sign of how dangerous this is for the country: As a regular citizen, he would never be able to get a security clearance at the Pentagon or in the intelligence community.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

SUPERLIB: We all also know the Russians meddled on Trump's behalf.

Wolf: Here we go with the collusion thing again. 

Actually, I was talking about the meddling.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@wolfpack Time to move on.

Only for those 'Americans' unwilling to try to stop Russian meddling and those unwilling to admit the Russians helped Trump. Think about how many 'Americans' parroted the Internet Research Agency's propaganda like 'Hillary's going to start WW3 because of her proposed no-fly zone'. Which Party, Republican or Democratic, were Russians favoring? Why did the Russians target the KKK and NRA's (and other far right organization's) publications? Given how far-right and ultra-nationalistic Russia is, and given how far-right and ultra-nationalistic the KKK and NRA are, odds are...

Robert Mueller warns of Russian interference in 2020 election

https://www.ft.com/content/afb2dbda-ae02-11e9-8030-530adfa879c2

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Mueller could not establish any coordination between Trump and Russia.

Heh, Republican logic: "Well his team worked with the Russians, but it wasn't at a CRIMINAL level".

Um, ok boys... Got it. We should be satisfied that the president has set the bar at 'not criminal'. Definitely one for the kiddies to respect!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

a letter issued at Mueller's request by the way.

And?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

“You can charge 13 Russians, no one has ever heard of; you can charge all kinds of people around the president with false statements; but the guy who puts this whole story in motion, you can’t charge him?”

Sweet question given the answer is painfully obvious. Ignorant conservatives simply refuse to accept the reality that the DoJ has a policy of not charging a sitting president. Yee-Haw!

It was an amazing day of watching a Swamp Dweller being autopsied. Mueller's career in Washington is finished. Hope that paycheck was really big.

Uhhh . . . Tex, Mueller's retired, which means his career is finished. Thanks for the comment that was as insightful as the ignorant republicans question about not charging a sitting president.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

a letter issued at Mueller's request by the way.

Having been issued with a letter from the DOJ to stick only to the report, on which he did through out the whole first hearing.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

We all also know the Russians meddled on Trump's behalf. That's on you for downplaying it.

Here we go with the collusion thing again. Time to move on. Mueller could not establish any coordination between Trump and Russia. However it is will known that Hillary and the DNC paid a foreign agent who in turn paid Russian intelligence services agents for disinformation on candidate Trump. But let’s ignore that 800 pound gorilla.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

The DOJ is a politicized organization dedicated first to applying the laws of the land to shelter and protect their own and their masters who govern and second, to blocking or persecuting individuals who challenge the authority of government officials, or threaten to subject them to the principle that "all are equal under the law". In short, the pockets of the POTUS are stuffed with "get-out-of-jail-free" cards, so even if the crook from Queens is charged after leaving office, he'll be circled by all the wagons of the Establishment which will permit him to retire with a "dishonorable discharge", i.e., a presidential pardon. This is how power operates (too bad the kids are not taught this in school).

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Remember that time Trump claimed the Mueller report was a "a complete and total exoneration" of Trump? And remember that time Mueller was clear under oath that he had not exonerated the president? And remember how the Moron Crew still claimed complete and total exoneration anyways?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Mr. Noidall: Don't fret. You can catch all the highlights on cnn.

Me? Fret? I don't think you understand America.

We all know Trump tried to obstruct. That's on you for supporting it from a sitting President, and Trump is temporary whereas they White House isn't. And there is a silver lining: we don't have to listen to 1,001 conspiracy theories about Mueller had things gone badly for Trump. So that's off the table. Thankfully.

We all also know the Russians meddled on Trump's behalf. That's on you for downplaying it.

One step forward, one step back.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

It's easy to see the Trumpers here are in meltdown over all the dirt and crime exposed in the hearing.

The Dems were professional, lawyer-like, and knowledgeable - the Repubs acted like they do anytime a camera is turned on - they rant, rave and pull their usual lunatic act. repub Rep Debbie Lesko fumbled her whole 5 minutes - Mueller made her look like kindergartner. And Repub Louie "I'm a Gnome" Gohmert - once again makes himself look like a bumbling fool.

Obstruction of justice was proven time after time. Witness tampering was proven time after time. The level of criminality was far beyond what came out of the Watergate hearings. The fact that Trump directed McGahn to fire Mueller, he refused, then Trump told him to write a false memo saying Trump never directed him to do so, is Nixon-level criminality. Throw in all the witness tampering with Manafort and Cohen, and this is a new level for a President being a crook.

Americans who knew this President was a serial lair, a pervert, a mental imbecile, a narcissist, and a racist, now know he's a criminal who should get his time in the dock. That will happen once he's no longer President.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Having been issued with a letter from the DOJ to stick only to the report, on which he did through out the whole first hearing. The attacks from the Republicans were no different from what was expected , to protect Trump at all costs, and to discredit Mueller and the report, without referencing Russian interference into the 2016 election and the ongoing Russian interference as quoted by director Ray at an earlier hearing. The conclusion reached after the first hearing was not as Trump continually tweeted completely exonerating him, but quite the opposite. Mueller and the special councils hands were tied regarding prosecuting a sitting president, when all along Trump knew that the DOJ's directive that a sitting president can not be charged only emboldened him into his ongoing rants on Twitter.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@PTownsend: Curious that Trump backers won't acknowledge Russian meddling - for Trump's benefit. 

Russia interfered in the election on both sides. Mueller, for some unfathomable reason, only investigated one side. Probably because all of his prosecuting attorneys were Democrats or at least Left leaning. His lead prosecutor even attended Hillary’s anticipated victory party on election night. Mueller did not seem at all versed in Putin’s collusion with Hillary via Fusion GPS and foreign spy Christopher Steele. This willful disinterest in some aspects of Russia’s interference in the election is more than a little disconcerting. The investigation of the other side is just now getting started.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

The Democrat party does not believe in the rule of law - we have seen that going back to Obama’s efforts to use executive power to legalize illegal immigration and with the Democrats in the House attempts to end the legal idea that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

Interesting theory you’ve got on this conspiracy.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Watching Mueller, I get the distinct impression that he is pretty sorry he got talked into this whole thing to begin with. He looked, to me, like someone who was sick of the whole deal and just wished he was somewhere else, anywhere else. The Bob Mueller sitting in that chamber looked tired and there is probably no one who would like to see this whole episode over and done with more than him.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@ptCurious that Trump backers won't acknowledge Russian meddling - for Trump's benefit. 

@blacklab This was never about “meddling”.

Curious that Trump backers (even some who claim to be 'American') won't acknowledge Russian meddling - for Trump's benefit. 

Curious, too, they won't speak out against Russian meddling. Chinese meddling, perhaps, but not Russian.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Jim Jordan summed up the entire day of "testimony" when he ask Mueller:

“You can charge 13 Russians, no one has ever heard of; you can charge all kinds of people around the president with false statements; but the guy who puts this whole story in motion, you can’t charge him?”

It was an amazing day of watching a Swamp Dweller being autopsied. Mueller's career in Washington is finished. Hope that paycheck was really big.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

This was never about “meddling”. China and other countries meddle too. This was about linking Trump personally to an active, supporting role in requesting Russia to meddle to ensure he won.

Failed to prove it, or that the meddling changed any votes.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

@blaclkb when did you know there was no collusion?

Curious that Trump backers won't acknowledge Russian meddling - for Trump's benefit. Curious so many accept Putin's findings, not Mueller's. But then during the election many Trump backers (including some who claimed to be 'Americans') declared their support for Russia instead of Democrats (they'd rather be Russian than Democrats) because Russia had nukes, was 'fighting terrorism', and Putin 'is a stud' Hee hee.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

And given the depth of info Mueller has he must have reached the conclusion from all his findings that Trump (and family) are a danger to the republic.

Obama was a danger to the republic. That doesn’t give a person in law enforcement the right to illegally surveil a political opponent, take disinformation from the opposition based on information from Russia, and impede a new presidents administration.

The Democrat party does not believe in the rule of law - we have seen that going back to Obama’s efforts to use executive power to legalize illegal immigration and with the Democrats in the House attempts to end the legal idea that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

I haven't seen it but it sounds like it didn't go well for impeachment. Congrats to Trump fans. Your racist president might actually get away with obstruction of justice. You must be thrilled.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

"It is not a witch hunt," he said.

Liar

I don’t think Mueller is a liar.

Watch out for compulsive liars using the expression “witch hunt”. Conspiracy theory types who can’t even tell the truth about where their own fathers were born.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Fusion GPS what’s that?

Corey lewandowski. Who?

Glenn Simpson? Huh

Steele dossier can’t talk about it even it’s in the report

when did you know there was no collusion? Not gonna talk about that because (rambling nonsense)

total disaster. Has no understanding of his own report and no opinions on its conclusions.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

"It is not a witch hunt," he said.

Liar.

The Democrats wanted so badly for Mueller to give his report new life. Instead he took it out to the woods and shot it.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

I assume by your description he is a republican as you wouldn’t describe a Democrat in this way.

. I think it was the guy from Georgia who admitted his habit of speaking too quickly and then went on to sound like an speed-addled yokel.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

@mrnoidall He clearly wants Trump impeached 

And given the depth of info Mueller has he must have reached the conclusion from all his findings that Trump (and family) are a danger to the republic. I'll trust a Mueller, someone who's given much more to his country, before I'll trust a serial liar like Trump who's spent his entire life, just like his daddy before him, taking from the country. I doubt Mueller's ever asked 'foreign' states to help him out financially.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Trump is still considered innocent until proven guilty.

Yes. Even even he's charged the rule applies.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Interesting how things referenced in his report can be out of his “purview”.

It seems clear that Mueller did not even read the report put together by his Left-wing attorneys and who put his name on it. He was not even able to answer many questions about the report itself. Mueller is attempting to hold Trump to a higher standard than anyone else. Instead of “innocent until proven guilty”, it’s “not exonerated”. Under this new form of justice, anyone who cannot be proven guilty can be said to be not exonerated. I can’t think of any other person in American history who was the investigated and ruled not exonerated. Mueller only has innuendo- no evidence of guilt that would hold up in court.

The final image America will have of Mueller is of an old man who isn’t all there who could not follow questions asked of him and wasn’t able to give anything more than simple answers. He clearly wants Trump impeached despite the fact that he couldn’t prove any election related crimes against Trump or anyone in his campaign or administration.

It’s over. In a few months the real story will begin coming out about what happened during the 2016 election. Obama failed to stop Russian meddling in the election. The investigation was irregular and corrupted by at minimum senior executives in the FBI. The collusion was between Hillary’s campaign and Putin’s purveyors on disinformation. The next two years will be interesting

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

@mrnoidall Time to look forward and get back to running the country

Would that include allowing the Russians (and Chinese, Israeli, Saudi, Iranian, North Korean, etc.) to continue to meddle in US affairs? Or only if that meddling continues to benefit Trump and his Republican backers. It's interesting that I've read Trump supporters side with Putin, not US intelligence services. Is Trump the leader of a new global order?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Now's not the time for the " what about" maneuver. It's not going to work anymore. Time to look forward and get back to running the country--which is doing great under Trump.

Heh, remember the time the Pubs went on for 8 years about 'remembering the time', then when someone used that tactic against them they switched to 'now is not the time for "remember the time"'.

The hypocrisy continues.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Wee do have our resident right-wing extremists who discuss the issue here with us, and though they deny reality, they have at least heard it. The sad thing is that so many Americans will only hear Trump saying 'the white house is exonerated', and take it at face value. They don't realize that their right-wing fake-news MSM has lied to them by stifling the reality of what Mueller's testimony said about the president.

He's lucky he has his propaganda channel (that the report showed alters their reporting according to white house demands). If he didn't have then protecting him, he'd be screwed.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

When Repubs asked important things he just asked them to repeat the question until time expired.,

He was asking the same of Democrats.

Mueller stumbled but many of the questioners were asking poorly worded questions at incredible speed with barely understandable pronunciation. I think it was the guy from Georgia who admitted his habit of speaking too quickly and then went on to sound like an speed-addled yokel.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

'Closed fundraiser', euphemism for meeting with the faction of the .01% benefiting most from Trump's policies. I wonder how many 'foreign' sponsors will attend.

Heh, remember how much the right freaked out about the Clintons speaking at close fundraisers?

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Pretty much went as I expected. Mueller didn't say anything he hasn't already said, though he did explicitly clarify some points that the Trumpets had pretended otherwise. But when all is said and done, Mueller's testimony hasn't changed any opinions, and both teams will take away the things they want to hear from his testimony.

It is good that he was clear Trump was not exonerated. That idea was just silly right from the start.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Those pesky little Democrats just won't go away........O.K. it's an ethical issue now.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

@blackalbWhen Repubs asked important things

Did any Republicans ask any questions about Russian 'meddling'? Or was that, for whatever reason, deemed 'not important'. To the Trump backing Republicans, at least.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

“Now, before we go to questions, I want to go back to one thing that was said this morning by Mr. Lieu who said, and I quote, “You didn’t charge the president because of the OLC opinion.” That is not the correct way to say it. As we say in the report, and as I said at the opening, we did not reach a determination as to whether the president committed a crime.”

let it go. mueller dodged, ducked and stammered through questions about his own report that he has little actual knowledge about. When Repubs asked important things he just asked them to repeat the question until time expired.,

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

Any charges Trump is open to when he leaves office he is also open to while in office.

Mueller seemed to have thought his time was done. Also, it seems he is showing signs of being a 74 year old man.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

"This has been a very bad thing for our country," Trump told reporters

For once I agree with Trump. Mueller's findings that Russians 'meddled' and Trump encouraged their meddling has definitely been bad for the country. (Except in the eyes of Trump's true believers. And others who want to bring US systems down.) In his testimony Mueller claimed other nations have been joining Russia in meddling. Trump: for sale to the highest bidder. Anywhere Ivanka, Inc. and the Trump brand name can be sold is all that matters, as long as the price is right. But that's to be expected from a predatory capitalist.

He headed to West Virginia later in the day for a closed evening fundraiser.

'Closed fundraiser', euphemism for meeting with the faction of the .01% benefiting most from Trump's policies. I wonder how many 'foreign' sponsors will attend.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

TRUTH IS A FORCE OF NATURE!

Try it sometime.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

No he is not open to charges when he leaves office. That was retracted at the beginning of the second hearing. Again.

-14 ( +3 / -17 )

In fact, the Mueller report did not declare there was no collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. Nor did the special counsel's report exonerate Trump on the question of whether he obstructed justice.

And he reiterated this point today

The reporting suggests that Muller was confused but that reflects the nature of the questioning, layered with double negatives and multiple questions within one question.

Trump is open to charges when he leaves office.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Well, he would, wouldn't he?

Thing is, he hasn't been exonerated and he could eventually face jail time after 2020.

And this, from The Guardian

Under oath, Mueller said: the Russians led a campaign to swing the 2016 election in Trump’s favor and committed crimes to achieve that goal; the Trump campaign was receptive to help from the Russians; Donald Trump Jr said he would “love” to receive dirt on Hillary Clinton from the Russian government; then-candidate Trump publicly urged the Russians to hack Clinton’s emails; Trump pursued a lucrative Trump Tower project in Moscow during the campaign; and multiple top Trump campaign and administration officials were convicted of lying to investigators about their contacts with Russians.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

Total disaster for Dems and Mueller.

it seems he hasn’t read his own report and he made the same exact false statement again that he had to retract last time too.

Interesting how things referenced in his report can be out of his “purview”.

-12 ( +8 / -20 )

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