I\u2019ve dutifully followed the probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election from its beginnings, and now it looks as if I can start wrapping this up.<\/p>\n
Special counsel Robert Mueller turned in his final report on Friday, putting its fate in the hands of newly-appointed Attorney General William Barr.<\/p>\n
The discussion through the weekend was how soon Barr would complete his review of the report and when he would turn that review over to Congress.<\/p>\n
On Sunday afternoon that happened, so here\u2019s the breakdown:<\/p>\n
Having reviewed the report along with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, they have concluded that there was insufficient evidence to charge President Trump or anyone on his campaign team with directly or indirectly conspiring with the Russian government to influence the outcome of the 2016 election.<\/p>\n
From ABC News:<\/a><\/p>\n The special counsel\u2019s investigation did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia in its efforts to influence the 2016 US presidential election. As the report states: \u201cThe investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.\u201d:<\/p>\n \u201cIn cataloging the President\u2019s actions many of which took place in public view, the report identities no actions that, in our judgment, constitute obstructive conduct.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n An important point to note is the wording, \u201cin our judgment.\u201d<\/p>\n According to reports, Mueller did not make any conclusion in regards to attempted obstruction of the investigation. That was included in the letter to Congress by Barr and Rosenstein, based on their interpretation of the Mueller report.<\/p>\n Also included in what was said to be a 4 page letter to Congress, summarizing the report, was the curious notation from the Justice Department that the report \u201cneither implicates nor exonerates Trump or his campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n In other words, he\u2019s not guilty, but he\u2019s not innocent, either.<\/p>\n There are so many ways that could be interpreted, but apparently we\u2019re going to have to see Mueller\u2019s actual report to decipher that riddle.<\/p>\n That brings us to the next phase of the drama. Democrats are asking that the Justice Department give them access to the full report, as well as all the evidence and documentation that went into reaching the conclusions being drawn.<\/p>\n How much of a fight the Justice Department puts up remains to be seen, but Democrats are willing to resort to subpoenas, if that becomes necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cIt means make the request, if the request is denied subpoena, if the subpoenas are denied we will\u00a0hold people before the Congress<\/a>\u00a0and yes, we will prosecute in court as necessary to get this information,\u201d House Intelligence Committee chairman\u00a0Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said Sunday on \u201cThis Week\u201d.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Until that fight begins, Trump and his circle can breathe a little easier. This is a win for him.<\/p>\n Of course, he can\u2019t get too comfortable. Mueller farmed out quite a few cases to the Southern District of New York, and prosecutors there have leapt on these cases with voracious fervor.<\/p>\n Everything from Trump\u2019s charity to his campaign committee is being scrutinized, and it is unlikely that he\u2019ll be as fortunate in all those cases as he\u2019s been with Mueller.<\/p>\n So rest well tonight in Trumpville, for tomorrow, the fight begins anew.<\/p>\n By the way, what do you think the chances are that Robert Mueller gets an apology from Trump for 2 years of verbal abuse?<\/p>\n *EDIT*\u00a0<\/strong>I wanted to toss in a couple of tweets from Representative Jerry Nadler that went out ahead of the news of AG Barr\u2019s findings, to help set the stage for the next leg of this fight.<\/p>\n Barr says that the President may have acted to obstruct justice, but that for an obstruction conviction, \u201cthe government would need to proved beyond a reasonable doubt that a person, acting with corrupt intent, engaged in obstructive conduct\u201d.<\/p>\n \u2014 Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) March 24, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n