Currents News
In one of the most anticipated congressional hearings in decades, former Special Counsel Robert Mueller told Congress that his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election did not exonerate President Trump.
Nearly 100 days after the release of the report detailing Russia’s attempts, Mueller refused to say much more as his testimony frustrated both Democrats and Republicans.
“The finding indicates that the president was not as exculpated for the acts that he allegedly committed. It is not what the report said,” Mueller stated.
Democrats see the testimony as a chance to build the case for Trump’s impeachment, but Mueller says his investigation could not indict the president because of Justice Department guidelines.
“I believe a reasonable person looking at these facts could conclude that all three elements of the crime of obstruction of justice have been met,” said Democratic California Representative Ted Lieu.
“You did not indict donald trump is because of the O.I.C opinion stating that you cannot indict a sitting president, correct?”
Mueller agreed to Lieu’s statement, saying “that is correct.” Hours later the former Special Counsel amended his testimony with the reason that “that is not the correct way to say it.”
“We did not reach a determination as to whether the president committed a crime,” Mueller said.
He refused to say if the president committed a crime, and instead referred Congress to the findings of his 448-page report as Republicans pushed to close this chapter in American history.
“It’s time for the curtain to close on the Russia hoax. The conspiracy theory is dead,” said Republican California Representative Devin Nunes.