WASHINGTON (AP) – Special counsel Robert Mueller says charging a president with a crime was “not an option” his team could consider in the Russia investigation.
Mueller says that he was bound by longstanding Justice Department opinions that say a president can’t be indicted while in office.
In his first public comments in the probe, Mueller said on Wednesday “it would be unfair” to potentially accuse someone of a crime when the person couldn’t stand trial to defend himself.
Mueller’s comments echoed the findings in his public report.
Mueller’s report revealed that President Donald Trump tried to seize control of the Russia probe and force Mueller’s removal to stop him from investigating potential obstruction of justice by the Republican president. Trump has called the investigation a “witch hunt.”
President Donald Trump is declaring “The case is closed!” following special counsel Robert Mueller’s (MUHL’-urz) first public statement since his appointment in the Russia investigation.
Trump tweeted Wednesday following Mueller’s remarks that, “Nothing changes from the Mueller Report.”
Trump says, “There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Country, a person is innocent. The case is closed! Thank you.”
Nothing changes from the Mueller Report. There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Country, a person is innocent. The case is closed! Thank you.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2019
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