Russia

Did Trump Obstruct Justice? He Certainly Tried To

Written by SK Ashby

A redacted version of the 400-page Mueller report was released to the public this afternoon and while it includes countless details that we'll have to digest in the coming days and weeks, one of the key questions of the entire investigation is whether or not Trump conspired to obstruct justice.

So, did he?

This is what the Mueller report says:

The President's efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the President declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests. Comey did not end the investigation of Flynn, which ultimately resulted in Flynn's prosecution and conviction for lying to the FBI. McGahn did not tell the Acting Attorney General that the special counsel must be removed, but was instead prepared to resign over the President's order. Lewandowski and Dearborn did not deliver the President 's message to Sessions that he should confine the Russia investigation to future election meddling only. And McGahn refused to recede from his recollections about events surrounding the President's direction to have the special counsel removed, despite the President's multiple demands that he do so. Consistent with that pattern, the evidence we obtained would not support potential obstruction charges against the President's aides and associates beyond those already filed.

In short, Trump ordered his subordinates to obstruct justice they ignored him until he forgot about it.

I would say this is clearly an impeachable offense, but whether or not impeachment is feasible or politically practical is not something I can credibly answer and I'm glad I'm not in the shoes of House leadership who have to make that call.