10 Key Findings in Mueller Report of Trump-Russia investigation

Listen to this article

Attorney general William Barr released a report summary of Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election meddling and possible collusion to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. Most of us were waiting for a detailed version of Mueller’s findings. There are a number of specific questions circulating regarding the issue of possible obstruction of justice by Trump.

Mueller’s report makes clear that he didn’t feel able to pass a traditional legal judgment on whether Trump obstructed justice, but the report doesn’t exonerate him with a number of episodes of possible obstruction examined. There were 10 such findings.

1. The Trump campaign’s response to reports regarding Russian support for Trump to become the U.S President.
2. The involvement of former FBI Director James Comey. He initially led the Russia investigation until Trump fired him in the month of May 2017.
3. The reaction of Trump in the Russia investigation as it was taking place, including angry tweets deriding the investigation.
4. The president’s termination of former White House national security advisor Michael Flynn.
5. The appointment of Mueller special counsel and efforts to remove him. It includes attempts to have White House lawyer Don McGahn deny as Trump ordered him to have Mueller removed.
6. Reported efforts to curtail Mueller’s investigation.
7. Reported efforts to avoid public disclosure of evidence. The evidence could prove useful during the investigation.
8. Some other efforts to have the attorney general take control of the Russia investigation.
9. Conduct towards Flynn, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and another redacted individuals.
10. Conduct involving Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen.

It also points out that the U.S Congress can also apply obstruction laws in investigating and impeaching a sitting president. The report said, “The conclusion that 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”.