Trump-Russia probe report finally out
The battle will now rage over how much of it can be seen and by whom
WASHINGTON— Special counsel Robert Mueller on Friday submitted the long-awaited report on his two-year investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 US election.
WASHINGTON— Special counsel Robert Mueller on Friday submitted his long-awaited report into an explosive two-year investigation of Russian meddling in Donald Trump’s 2016 election a probe the president denounces as a “witch hunt” and opponents say could fuel impeachment.
What the report says is confidential, but Attorney General Bill Barr wrote in a letter to Congress that he might be able to summarize its “principal conclusions” for Congress as early as this weekend.
Unprecedented allegations
The Mueller drama, filled with unprecedented allegations of collusion or even treason by a US president in league with Moscow, has dogged Trump since he took office following his surprise election defeat of Hillary Clinton.
Throughout, he has maintained that he is the victim of a “witch hunt,” while Democratic opponents, who won control of the lower house of Congress last year, say Trump has yet to adequately explain his links to Russia.
Mueller, a Vietnam war veteran and former FBI director, worked in near total secrecy for two years.
With his mission as special counsel wrapping up, it is now up to Barr, appointed by Trump, to decide howmuch of the report to make public.
Public and political pressure for full disclosure is intense and Barr said he is “committed to as much transparency as possible.”
No further indictments
There was one key piece of information already confirmed by the justice department, however: Mueller is not recommending any further indictments.
Over the course of his probe, Mueller charged three-dozen individuals and entities, including 25 Russians and six former Trump aides.
But the news that no more indictments are planned means potentially vulnerable figures close to the president, including his son Donald Trump Jr. and powerful son-in-law Jared Kushner, will likely rest easier this weekend.
Trump himself made no comment from his Mar-a-Lago golf club resort in Florida, while he awaited the report.
His spokesperson Sarah Sanders said the White House now looks “forward to the process taking its course.”
Elaborate Russian meddling
Even before the report sees light, Mueller’s previous indictments and court filings have revealed much about the most shocking investigation of a presidential election in US history.
These court documents described sustained efforts by Moscow to influence the 2016 vote and disrupt the country’s democratic system.
Mueller described Russian government hackers and a social media troll farm working in a concerted effort to boost Trump over Clinton.
It was after seeing scores of unexplained contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians, that the FBI launched a probe into possible collusion.
Trump then fired FBI chief James Comey and as a result the investigation was put in the hands of a special independent prosecutor Mueller.
Trump associates charged
Avoiding any leaks to the media a rare thing in Washington Mueller’s crack team of lawyers brought charges against Trump associates Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, Michael Flynn, Michael Cohen, George Papadopoulos and Roger Stone.
Five have been convicted of various crimes. However, none have been charged with conspiracy to collude with the Russians.
That fact has formed the basis of Trump’s constant, loud assertions that “there was no collusion” and that he is the victim of a “hoax” run by Democrats.
In reality, legal experts say, Mueller may have dug up compromising material about Trump’s Russia links, but not enough to stand up in a court of law.