Despite President Donald Trump s repeated insistence that former special counsel Robert Muellers report was a total exoneration, Mueller on Wednesday confirmed it was not.
In an exchange between him and House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Nadler asked directly whether the report totally exonerated the president.
No, Mueller said. It is not what the report said.
The statement came during Muellers testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction of justice committed by the president.
This is not the first time that Mueller has said the investigation didnt exonerate the president. At a press conference in May , he was clear that if we had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said that.
In his report, Mueller wrote that he could not determine that the president did not commit a crime, but cited an Office of Legal Counsel opinion that a sitting president could not be indicted while in office an opinion which was reiterated during the testimony.
Is it correct that if you had concluded that the president committed the crime of obstruction, you could not publicly state that in your report or here today? Nadler asked.
Support Free Journalism
Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.
Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
The statement would be that you would not indict, Mueller said. Under the OLC opinion, a sitting president cannot be indicted. It would be unconstitutional.
Some time after the exchange, the GOP doubled down on theirs and the presidents claim that the report had found no collusion.
It was true months ago, and its still true now.
Look no further than the words of Mueller Report-- NO COLLUSION.https://t.co/5jqBQxm2Rg
It was true months ago, and its still true now.
GOP (@GOP) July 24, 2019
Look no further than the words of Mueller Report-- NO COLLUSION.https://t.co/5jqBQxm2Rg
Support Free Journalism
Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.
Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
In his opening remarks, Mueller stated that he did not address collusion in his report, because it is not a legal term.
Support Free Journalism
Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.
Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.