Mueller drops dilemma on Congress

WASHINGTON — It’s now up to Congress to decide what to do with special counsel Robert Mueller’s findings about President Donald Trump.

While the special counsel declined to prosecute Trump on obstruction of justice, he did not exonerate him, all but leaving the question to Congress. Mueller’s report provides fresh evidence of Trump’s interference in the Russia probe, challenging lawmakers to respond. The risks for both parties are clear if they duck the responsibility or prolong an inquiry that, rather than coming to a close, may be just beginning.

How far lawmakers will go, though, remains unclear.

Democrats are putting the focus on their next investigative steps. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, summoned Mueller to testify and the chairman said Thursday he will be issuing subpoenas for the full report. And next week, both the House and Senate are scheduled to hear from Attorney General William Barr, whom Democrats accuse of distorting the report’s contents to Trump’s benefit.

The special counsel wrestled with what to do with his findings, unable to charge or exonerate, and sided with the Justice Department’s guideline that indicting a sitting president would impair the ability of the executive branch to function.

“We concluded that Congress has authority to prohibit a President’s corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice,” the report said.

But many Democrats say they are unwilling to consider impeachment without support from Republicans. The investigations may provide a steady stream of revelations that damage the president while also firing up his supporters to his defense as he gears up for re-election. Or the probes could push Congress farther than many now are willing to go.