Attorney General William Barr says that the Mueller report includes ten “episodes” in which President Donald Trump possibly obstructed justice, but he decided that no legal theory could be sufficiently made to warrant their prosecution.
In other words, Trump appeared to try to obstruct justice but in Barr’s opinion, not a single one of those ten times was extreme enough to prosecute. He did not state that collectively they might be, which is also a valid theory. Another valid theory: attempts to obstruct justice can be criminal.
However, the mere appearance of obstruction of justice is sufficient to warrant impeachment, especially ten times over.
The Attorney General actually blamed the news media for its coverage. He seemed to say the media was guilty of reporting on Trump’s actions and behavior, thus upsetting the new president and forcing him to act out.
“It is important to bear in mind the context,” AG Barr told reporters, addressing the issue of obstruction of justice. “As he entered into office and sought to perform his responsibilities as president, federal agents and prosecutors were scrutinizing his conduct before and after taking office. At the same time there was relentless speculation in the news media about the president’s personal culpability. Yet, as he said from the beginning, there was no collusion.”
Barr said the news media’s speculation left him “angry and frustrated.”
Barr also stated the DOJ’s only responsibility is to determine if something is “criminal or not criminal.” Which is a far higher bar than impeachment.
NPR reporter:
Political pollster:
GOP strategist and MSNBC, NBC News analyst:
UPDATE I:
UPDATE II:
NEW:
WATCH: FOX NEWS’ CHRIS WALLACE SLAMS AG BARR FOR ‘MAKING A CASE FOR THE PRESIDENT’
READ: BARR’S REDACTED VERSION OF THE MUELLER REPORT
MUELLER DECLINED TO DECIDE ON CHARGING TRUMP WITH OBSTRUCTION BECAUSE OF DOJ POLICY AGAINST IT
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