After several postponements, Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller is finally testifying in front of the House Judiciary Committee about his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and any obstruction of justice committed by President Trump. Mueller wanted his final report to be his statement and only agreed to appear after being subpoenaed by the committee, and his reluctance is evident in his terse responses and refusal to delve into topics he considers outside of his purview. Still, there have been a few headline-making moments so far.
Democratic House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler kicked things off by asking Mueller a straightforward line of questioning. First, did the investigation clear Trump of any obstruction of justice allegations, as the president claims at every opportunity? Mueller’s answer: No.
Here's the moment that will get played over and over:
Nadler: "Did you actually totally exonerate the president?"
Mueller: "No."
Via ABC pic.twitter.com/3zG8a6S2Z0— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 24, 2019
Nadler asks Mueller to explain in plain terms the American people can understand what he meant by saying the president was not exonerated
Mueller responds: “the president was not exculpated”
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) July 24, 2019
Nadler also asked Mueller if the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) guidelines preventing a sitting president from being indicted could have also prevented Mueller from publicly concluding the president committed obstruction. Mueller said that was the case.
Nadler then moved on to ask whether President Trump could be indicted for obstruction of justice after leaving office. Mueller’s answer: Yes.
Mueller: Under the OLC opinion, a sitting president cannot be indicted. It'd be unconstitutional…
Nadler: But under Department of Justice policy, the president could be prosecuted for obstruction of justice crimes after he leaves office?Mueller: True
Nadler: Thank you pic.twitter.com/yTBuXrgodb
— POLITICO (@politico) July 24, 2019
GOP Rep. Ken Buck then followed up on Nadler’s line of questioning, asking him to clarify that he could charge Trump with obstruction of justice after he leaves office. Mueller’s answer: Yes.
The video of another key moment:
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."
Via ABC pic.twitter.com/REBbQsSMYl— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 24, 2019
.@RepKenBuck: Was there sufficient evidence to convict president of Trump or anyone else of obstruction of justice?
MUELLER: We did not make that calculation.
BUCK: Why not?
M: Because of the OLC opinion that states the president can't be charged with a crime. pic.twitter.com/EkOaj0EfGK
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 24, 2019
So there you have it. Trump was not exonerated by Mueller and could still be charged for possible crimes he committed while in office. Trump will not be indicted by the Justice Department because he is president, but when that changes—whether it be on January 21, 2021 or (God forbid) January 21, 2025 or (hopefully) sometime sooner—all bets are off.
