The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.
© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Mueller rejects Trump's claims of exoneration, 'witch hunt'
By ERIC TUCKER, MARY CLARE JALONICK and MICHAEL BALSAMO WASHINGTON©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
73 Comments
Wakarimasen
This was a farce. This poor guy was incoherent and seemed to be at a loss. also the notion that he might somehow "exonerate" Trump is laughable. He is a prosecutor, not God.
Tangerine2000
I am not an American. I don't care for Trump. But those that oppose him have guaranteed that he'll win 2020.
Under constant criticism, he has increased his approval rating, improved the economy of America, and thanks to the Russian collusion investigation, come out of it looking squeaky clean.
Those who hate Trump will hate him more, but I'm guessing average Americans will looks at how he has done so far, weigh up their options, and will vote him back into office. This has largely happened because of crying wolf over ever little thing he says and does.
Concerned Citizen
@Strangerland
That's true Strangerland, but I believe that in the court of public opinion, this is being viewed as a massive failure on the Democrats part.
As I said, I wish the Democrats would ditch their failing policies, reverse course, and return to their roots. The present situation is very sad.
Laguna
My brother-in-law works for the government, as did my grandfather. They learn never to say a word beyond their profolage and to leave politics to the politicians. So, yes, we've learned nothing from this except that some cival servants are exemplary and politicians must do their jobs.
Haaa Nemui
This from bass -
And this from the Mueller-
"I've been in this business for almost 25 years, and in those 25 years I have not had occasion, once, to ask somebody about their political affiliation," Mueller said, raising his hand for emphasis. "It is not done. What I care about is the capability of the individual to do the job and do the job quickly and seriously and with integrity."
That says a lot about why no Republicans.
itsonlyrocknroll
Could the reality be that so called Russian government interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election is in fact continuation of a methodology of relentless campaigns of disinformation.
To create a never ending conspiracy theory. To confound and confuse both media and the US electorate........
Because Robert Mueller appeared flummoxed by the probe that generated more than 2,000 subpoenas and hundreds of warrants and witness interviews............ And yet succumbed to bouts of oohing and aahing, interspersed with mumbles and stammers.
rgcivilian1
The only great threat to America is the costs associated by both Democrats and Republicans. I wish Japan Today reporters could produce a story on the costs spent by any party trying to either impeach, or indict POTUS. Enough is enough. If both parties were to put this much effort in a 5 yr balanced budget imagine what they can do for the country or world if they put their minds to it.
Kestrel
"Nadler's Mueller hearing was a waste of everyones time" NYpost.
theeastisred
What a surprise that tangential Brexiteers also support Trump!
CrazyJoe
You know this country has really lost its bearings when astounding testimony like we heard today, about a president's betrayal of our democracy, rampant lies to the electorate, venal double-dealing, and obstruction of justice "fail to change the political dynamic." There was once an America that would have been shook to its foundations by what was testified to by Mueller today. We now live in a fully gaslit country that no longer has any sense of true patriotism or devotion to its founding principles.
Haaa Nemui
Mueller "I did not exonerate Trump"
Trump fans "Trump is exonerated"
TheRat
Funny thing, if Trump wasn't president, he would be in jail with all of the rest of his cronies. How do your "conservatives" explain how Flynn, Cohen, and all the rest are in JAIL or soon to be in jail, unless there is rampart corruption. And, of oh, that entire mob family is soon to be indicted in a pyramid scheme--oh this is from one of your OWN conservative rags: Daily Beast. https://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2015/08/13/trump-profited-from-pyramid-scheme
PTownsend
Forgive them: most are incapable of reasoning for themselves. Trump himself said that he had been 'totally exonerated' and because his fans are so loyal to him they just parrot what he says. And when one of their Fox'news' entertainers, maybe youtube or social media influencers, echo Trump the Trump fan's synapses get sculpted and they're then unable to see things differently. Like 'Life of Brian' followers. Among others.
bass4funk
This is something we know from his final report that AG Barr read. Ok, so we are once again rehashing old news and the point of this Kabuki...I mean, spec...darn it! I mean, the purpose of this hearing was for what?
Concerned Citizen
This is a massive public relations disaster for Democrats. They have absolutely shot themselves in the foot.
How sad the demise of the once working person's party. They have descended into a farcical hodge-podge of hate riddled, identity politics spewing, anti-white racist, anti-men, limousine liberal, abortion up to 40 weeks supporting, mud slinging, losers with nothing positive to offer the average person.
I wish they would get back to their roots, as they were in the days of Jimmy Carter. They ought to ditch the above bound to lose policies and focus on positive policies that benefit working people, such as Medicare for all and a minimum wage, which I am favorable towards.
bass4funk
I agree.
WilliB
Since when is it the job of a prosecutor to "exonerate" an accused? Only in the weird world of the fanatic Trump haters.
Kestrel
" it becomes painfully clear that not only did Bob Mueller not write his own report - he was barely imnvolved or in control of it at all. You know who was? His team of Democrats.
This was a resistance-driven partisan witch hunt all along." Mark Meadows
Kestrel
"Todays Mueller hearing was a disaster for the Democrats". CNN
peppy kids
by all the Dems bumbling of the situation it actually looks like its going to be trump 2020
PTownsend
Mark Meadows is a right-wing Republican Representative who toes the Trump line. And has an alt right following.
bass4funk
Well, we knew it would bring a senile dementia-like rant from Mueller, full of contradictions
We already knew that, so where’s the bombshell, the fireworks?
As Mueller corrected that moron congressman Lieu, not for the reasons HE thought.
You guys think he’s guilty.....of what, even Mueller couldn’t even answer, he didn’t even have all of his dates and faculties together, pathetic.
You guys don’t. We differ.
And you guys know the Democrats media loving pundits tried their best to persuade people, but even they couldn’t take this train wreck according to the polls.
Yeah, don’t hold your breath, Democrats will turn purple.
No, it really didn’t, it really didn’t, but Mueller did hurt the Democrats, so where is the slam dunk?
I know this, the Democrats are pretty much pâté at this point.
The socialists are not nervous because they live in a progressive safe space cocoon, but the person that is very nervous is Pelosi.
WilliB
concerned citizen:
It would be if people were actually paying attention. (I am watching this disaster right now on Youtube.) But those in the anti-trump bubble see only what they want to see and what the propaganda outfits like CNN feed them. (As you can see right here...)
Jimizo
A Fox News sock puppet giving us ‘fact’?
Perhaps giving it a miss isn’t a bad idea.
Madverts
Trump is in it up to his neck. Only the MAGA fanatics can join dear leader and see a positive from Mueller's testimony .
When trump is excreted from office and rightly being charged with obstruction of justice, I hope all his Republican enablers are charged as co-conspirators...
Haaa Nemui
Serrano is very vocal about his liar accusation... yet nothing when it comes to Trump's thousands of lies.
Serrano
Makes sense. Can't get rid of something that has never happened.
Just because you deny something's happened doesn't mean it hasn't happened, Strangerland.
bass4funk
And then we have this exchange from Jordan and Mueller...
"I can't get into the evidentiary filings," Mueller said.
"Yes, you can, because you wrote about it," Jordan said, raising his voice. "You gave us the answer. Page 192 of the report, you tell us who told him: Joseph Mifsud."
"He's the guy who starts it all, and when the FBI interviews him, he lies three times and yet you don't charge him with a crime," Jordan said. "And I'm curious as to why."
"Well, I can't get into it and it's obvious, I think, that we can't get into charging decisions," Mueller said.
Jordan asked if Mifsud lied to special counsel investigators as well.
"I can't get into that," Mueller said.
"Did you interview Mifsud?" Jordan asked.
"I can't get into that," Mueller said.
Jordan asked if Mifsud was connected to any foreign intelligence agencies.
"I can't get into that," Mueller said again. "Can't get into that."
"Lot of things you can't get into," Jordan said.
That says everything about Democrats, all bluster and no nothing, no compunction, and zero ethics. Mueller got flipped like a Jack cheese omelette, sad, the Democrats couldn’t let this man retire with a little bit of integrity.
Serrano
It's Trump having failed to win anything
That's the spirit, Strangerland, keep denying those facts!
he's clearly a loser.
Watch the "loser" get re-elected.
Mueller "I did not exonerate Trump"
Trump fans "Trump is exonerated"
Mueller: Page 103? I can't get into that. Could you repeat the question?
Trump haters: Trump is guilty! Toast too!
Serrano
Mueller clearly stated Trump wasn't exonerated.
But he can't prove that he committed any crimes. But Trump must have committed crimes! This means that... Mueller is a loser!
bass4funk
I guess not for the Democrats.
Why Democrats want to lose so badly and I mean, “badly!”
Don’t think so, 2024 and then we shall see. Democrats have put too much time and effort into the conspiracy hoax and Mueller, in order for them to win they need to focus their n policies, real solutions and leave the socialist policies. Pass real legislation something to help their constituents and use that to make a case why Democrats are better than this President, but so far, they’ve done the exact opposite.
And the Democrats think y’all are bigger suckers.
Kestrel
It means theres a pretty clear consensus : The Mueller hearing was a disaster for the Democrats.
PTownsend
I don't watch CNN and only have when stuck and bored at an airport or in a hotel room. My primary contact is when alt right (US and 'foreign') posters tell me what they've found in their limp attempts to sound knowledgable. I got the above quote from CNN online as a response.
Attilathehungry
I'm really not sure why people are clinging to the "Mueller didn't exonerate Trump" meme as if it had any real merit. It doesn't. Mueller's job wasn't to exonerate anyone. That's not what prosecutors do. They look for evidence of crimes and prosecute if it is sufficient to go to trial.
I have no doubt that the President was p!ssed off at the whole thing, spending two years being investigated, etc. But as Mueller himself said, nothing happened that impeded his investigation in any way.
Give this news until Monday tops, then it will fade away. Next Democratic debate is coming in less than a week, lots of fun there seeing who out wokes the other!
Serrano
Serrano is very vocal about his liar accusation... yet nothing when it comes to Trump's thousands of lies.
Trump did lie when he said we would get tired of winning. I'm not tired of winning.
PTownsend
Really? And you know this because? Breitbart? Washington Times? impeachobama.org? RT? Fox'news'? infowars?
The personal freedoms guaranteed by the US Constitution are hard to understand for those favoring authoritarianism.
National sovereignty? That's rich coming from Trump supporters who think it's just fine that Russia, Israel, Saudi Arabia and other countries can 'meddle' in US politics. As long as Trump benefits from it.
Serrano
Robert Mueller, do you promise to tell the truth?
Uh, to be perfectly honest, I don't have any idea why I'm here.
Can you tell us that Donald Trump is guilty of collusion?
Uh, I'd rather not get into that.
Can you please tell everyone that Donald Trump needs to be impeached?
Uh, you know what, I'd rather not answer that.
Democrats: Trump is toast!
Strangerland
Of course not.
It's Trump having failed to win anything, combined with his series of complete failures, that is why he hasn't won anything. My statements on the matter don't change the fact that he is a loser, and if I were to try to claim he wasn't a loser, it would be meaningless, because he's clearly a loser.
No, my denial is irrelevant. Trump being a loser is what makes Trump a loser.
Strangerland
Mueller clearly stated Trump wasn't exonerated.
TheRat
Such mindless loyalty for the Dear Leader from these conservative posters. Kind of wonder WHAT WOULD IT TAKE for them to flip, to say, "enough." Scenarios please, or are you all just so without any values or principles that you would follow this creature off a cliff? Just asking!
bass4funk
Uhhh...facts...
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/meet-mueller-s-team-best-prosecutors-business-or-angry-democrats-n976226
https://heavy.com/news/2018/05/mueller-team-democrats/
As if liberals even remotely cared about that come on now, the hammer and sickle awaits the atheists.
I’m sorry, but I’m 2011 Hillary interfered in the Russian election and When Obama said to Medvedev after the election, I’ll have more flexibility how do we know Obama wasn’t colluding with the Russians, they knew about their meddling in our elections since 2014 and yet, they did nothing or even tried to bring to the public’s attention, let alone try to stop it.
Haaa Nemui
clarification. And it was clarified. Yet Republicans still don't understand. Maybe you'll get 2020, but Trump still thinks you're all suckers. All of you.
lincolnman
The Democrats methodically walked thru the Mueller report, pointing out over 11 instances of obstruction of justice - showing how each met the elements of proof; an obstructive act, a nexus with an official proceeding, and corrupt intent.
It was all clearly laid out - for everyone to see.
Donnie and the Trumpers must have wet themselves as each of his corrupt and criminal acts was laid bare.
They'll deny the truth - delusion is a requirement for membership in Trump-world, but the hearing showed that Trump's crimes far surpassed those of Nixon.
But that's easily understandable - Nixon was a crook, but he was intelligent. Trump is a crook but he's an imbecile.
Kestrel
Omar, Cortese, Thalib, Pressley - Trump loves you!
stormcrow
Congressman Mike Quigley: " 'This just came out. Wikileaks. I love Wikileaks.' Donald Trump, October 16th, 'This Wikileaks stuff is unbelievable. It tells you the inner heart. You gotta read it.' Donald Trump, October 12th, 2016. 'This Wikileaks is like a treasure trove.' Donald Trump, October 31st, 2016. 'Boy, I love reading those Wikileaks.' Donald Trump, November 4th, 2016. Do any of those quotes disturb you Mr. Director?"
Mueller: "I'm not sure what I would say . . ."
Quigley: "How do you react to that?"
Mueller: "Well, **problematic is an understatement.** In terms of what it displays, in terms of giving some, I don't know, hope or some boost to what is and should be illegal activity."
Strangerland
It probably will be Trump. But that doesn't change the fact that:
Mueller clearly stated Trump wasn't exonerated.
PTownsend
Kestrel
@PTownsend,
And CNN??
Ah_so
@expat- great post. Sounds like an open an shut case.
Kestrel
Attila,
Exactly.
Texas A&M Aggie
The Republicans were right over the target yesterday asking pointed, relevant and important questions during the congressional inquiries of Mueller. They publicly exposed the Mueller report for what it was: A partisan political hatchet job promoted by deranged democrats.
As for the liberals, keep in mind they demand that their two-act kabuki theater take place for all the world to see and hear. But for them, yesterday wound up being a series of classic egg-on-your-face "careful what you wish for" moments.
smithinjapan
Trump the coward, as are his followers. I mean the guy couldn't even make it through a meeting with high school students before his insecurities kicked in and he cried about "the squad" and "witch hunts". What a pathetic and miserable human being, even moreso his followers!
Jimizo
Even if I accept your idea that the ‘libs’ are trying to shut him down, there is no logical reason why that would entail him not being a sock puppet. Your post is devoid of logic and has no redeeming features.
Anyway, when did you start watching the fake news MSM? You told me you didn’t watch Fox.
Serrano
Rep. Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee
This guy should not be in Congress much less chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
Where is his evidence that he has insisted he has on Trump-Russia collusion? There is a recording of him trying to get evidence from the Russians on Trump though.
Schiff: Your investigation is not a witch hunt, is it?"
Mueller: "It is not a witch hunt"
Liar! He knew it was a witch hunt almost from the get-go. He seemed uninformed and confused at this hearing, unaware even of Fusion GPS. Clearly it was Mueller's Day Off.
bass4funk
Really? From whom?
Really and yet, the man who started the ball rolling with the fake dossier didn’t get charged, so why is that. The holy Sainted Mueller couldn’t and wouldn’t answer the question. Hmmm....
And yet, Mueller staffed his cabal with Hillary supporting Democrats and NOT one Republican, why is that, if he was a really fair prosecutor?
Yes, but the Democrats want so badly to impeach and remove this President and they keep trying and keep wasting taxpayer money and still failing and the cries from moderate Democrats including Pelosi is to pull back because at this point, they might lose the House, so I personally want the Democrats to go hard as they can to ruin their chances.
No, the Democrats are the ones that burn the flag, don’t want the pledge allegiance, allowing athletes to hijack a game and take a knee, wanting to get rid of or historic statues, putting flags on our lawns or not allowing us to wear them in our schools or hang them on our balconies, not to mention our borders and national sovereignty. So if liberals are patriots, it’s not noticeable.
Lol....Yeah, uh-Huh...
Strangerland
Mueller clearly stated Trump wasn't exonerated.
Blacklabel
Mueller was your investigation a witch hunt? “Oh man you got me. Yeah it was.” What do you expect him to say about his own work?
Exoneration, he didn’t need to be exonerated. When Mueller was asked did he knew anyone who wasn’t prosecuted yet was made clear they were not exonerated either- he said “no”.
also articles since yesterday now say “mueller, 74,....”
Strangerland
Mueller clearly stated Trump wasn't exonerated.
PTownsend
That's the point of many comments on this thread, which is that Trump claimed he'd been 'totally exonerated' and his followers, including many on this site, parroted it.
smithinjapan
bass4funk: "He was spot on. As a matter of fact, there was nothing the Democrats brought with this bogus witch hunt anything we don’t already know."
Well, we knew it would bring a senile dementia-like rant from Drumpf, full of contradictions of previous things he said ("Full exoneration!" to "He has no right to exonerate or not!", etc.), and the same inane talking points and denials from his brainless followers. It 100% proved that there was obstruction, but you guys deny it. You call it a witch-hunt over and over and over again because your idiot-in-chief knows you guys will lap it up and repeat him, when, unless you honestly believe in witches, many people have been indicted and put behind bars. How can it possibly, therefore, be a witch-hunt? I won't hold my breath as you simply deflect.
Mueller's testimony hurt Trump, and he knows it. And you know it. Hence the staccato posts by particularly you and Serrano. I'm just surprised they're not full of nervous "LOL"s yet.
smithinjapan
bass4funk: "We already knew that, so where’s the bombshell, the fireworks?"
Glad you can admit it would bring on a senile dementia-like rant from Trump. That's called a baby step. Well done!
"As Mueller corrected that moron congressman Lieu, not for the reasons HE thought."
Wrong on both counts. Mueller slipped and told the truth, he later realized he may have stepped in it, and so tried to rescind what he said. And Lieu is quite intelligent, far more than the little-handed freak you'd gladly pick up the soap for if asked.
"The socialists are not nervous because they live in a progressive safe space cocoon, but the person that is very nervous is Pelosi."
You've proven you don't even know what socialism means. Or wait... do you have a social security number? What for?
bass4funk
No doubt a danger to libs, that’s why they’ve been trying so, so hard to get him off the air, you don’t do that if the person was a sock puppet.
He was spot on. As a matter of fact, there was nothing the Democrats brought with this bogus witch hunt anything we don’t already know.
Strangerland
Makes sense. Can't get rid of something that has never happened.
Strangerland
Heh, "Alternate facts" right.
PTownsend
Thank you @bass, serrano, blacklable etal for admitting Trump wasn't exonerated. It's good to see posters honest-up and admit they'd been wrong.
Tangerine2000
Don't support Trump. Don't hate him.
PTownsend
Do you seriously expect something from the NYPost to be taken seriously? Oh, I get it. You're aiming at Trump's true believers, so it'll probably work.
Andrew Crisp
This is fact watch Tucker Carlson review on this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JpCqStOG0E