Trump declares victory after Mueller testimony
‘Impeachment’s over!’ among more than 2 dozen tweets
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said he probably wouldn’t watch, but former special counsel Robert Mueller’s testimony before Congress on Wednesday proved irresistible.
The president fired off an onslaught of tweets before the back-to-back hearings even began. He tweeted and retweeted more than two dozen times on Mueller’s testimony about his investigation into the president and the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia.
As it ended, Trump tweeted, “TRUTH IS A FORCE OF NATURE!”
Then he strode out of the White House and took a victory lap in front the reporters and cameras
“It’s over,” Trump declared. He criticized “the phony cloud” created by the investigation and said, “there was no defense to this ridiculous hoax, this witch hunt.” was still underway, Repub
The investigation had licans were claiming it as a cast a two-year shadow over win. the White House, unnervRudy Giuliani, the presiing aides, stalling staffing dent’s lawyer, blasted and triggering hundreds of Mueller’s frequent stumangry tweets from the presibles and calls for questions dent, many of which into be repeated, tweeting volved phrases like “No that the former FBI director collusion,” “No obstruction” was “being destroyed on and “Witch hunt.” credibility, knowledge,
For all of that, the presicompetence and numerous dent had insisted earlier in ‘ahs,’ pauses and excuses the week, “I’m not going to such as ‘ beyond my be watching — probably — purview.’ ” maybe I’ll see a little bit of Mueller’s nationally teleit.” vised appearance on Capi
As it turned out, that tol Hill was long anticipated statement wouldn’t have as a potential pivot point for survived the fact-checks to the presidency, one that which so many of Trump’s could galvanize more against this illegal and treaclaims are subjected. The House Democrats toward sonous attack on our Countelevision-conscious presiimpeachment or help dispel try, they call It Obstrucdent referenced Fox News’ the investigatory cloud that tion?” Trump wrote in one coverage of the hearings in has shadowed the White early tweet. “Wrong! Why several of his tweets and House. Ever mindful of the didn’t Robert Mueller inrevealed that he was watchneed to spin powerful televestigate the investigators?” ing closely enough to delivvised images, Trump and The Mueller report did er a detailed review of his fellow Republicans unnot declare there was no Mueller’s presentation. leashed a barrage of tweets collusion between Russia
“The performance was and statements that continand the Trump campaign. obviously not very good. He ued a pattern of attacks in Nor did the special counhad a lot of problems,” which Trump has made sel’s report exonerate Trump said, pointing to baseless claims about Trump on the question of Mueller’s lack of familiarity Mueller’s probe and its whether he obstructed juswith some aspectstice.ofthefindings. investigation and accusing “So Democrats and othTrump also revived a him of playing favorites. ers can illegally fabricate a baseless charge t hat “This was a devastating day crime, try pinning it on a Mueller was “highly confor Democrats.” very innocent President, flicted.” Mueller, a longtime
Even as the testimony and when he fights back Republican, was cleared by the Justice Department’s ethics experts to lead the Russia investigation.
Trump over the last week had been speculating with confidants about how the hearings would go. And while he expressed no worry that Mueller would reveal anything damaging, Trump was annoyed that the former special counsel was being given the national stage, according to two Republicans close to the White House speaking on condition of anonymity.
Wary of Americans being captivated by finally hearing Mueller speak at length, Trump seethed to one adviser that he was annoyed Democrats would be given a tool to ramp up their investigations — and that cable networks would have new footage of Mueller to play on loop.
Though the probe did not result in charges of criminal conspiracy or obstruction, there has been growing concern among those close to the president that Mueller’s appearance could push undecided or reluctant Democrats toward impeachment. By the day’s end, Trump weighed in on that prospect too.
“Impeachment’s over!” Trump tweeted.