Mueller Investigation "Does Not Conclude" Trump Committed Obstruction, But "It Also Does Not Exonerate Him"

Donald Trump

U.S. Attorney General William Barr has sent a letter of 'principal conclusions' summarizing the results of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigations.

The key clause to know up front: "While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him."

That will drive Donald Trump crazy.

From the New York Times:

The investigation led by Robert S. Mueller III found that neither President Trump nor any of his aides conspired or coordinated with the Russian government’s 2016 election interference, according to a summary of the special counsel’s findings made public on Sunday by Attorney General William P. Barr.

Mr. Barr also said that Mr. Mueller’s team drew no conclusions about whether Mr. Trump illegally obstructed justice. Mr. Barr and the deputy attorney general, Rod J. Rosenstein, concluded that the special counsel’s investigators lacked sufficient evidence to establish that Mr. Trump committed that offense, but added that Mr. Mueller’s team stopped short of exonerating Mr. Trump.

“While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him,” Mr. Barr quoted Mr. Mueller as writing.

Bolding/underscoring is mine.

Here's a link to the full letter from the Attorney General to Congress.

Ultimately, six Trump aides/associates were indicted for mainly lying to investigators.

Twenty-five Russian players were charged for actions involved in interfering with the 2016 U.S. election.

The Department of Justice “determined not to make a traditional prosecutorial judgement.”

— (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) March 24, 2019

“The Special Counsel states that ‘while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.’”

— (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) March 24, 2019

Here is a link to the letter we received from Attorney General Barr. Seems like the Department of Justice is putting matters squarely in Congress’ court. https://t.co/etLyqkoOwm https://t.co/jjZ1OLmz8D

— (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) March 24, 2019

Even though Mueller specifically stated he did not "exonerate" Trump, White House press secretary has tweeted out a statement which includes the LIE that "the findings of the Department of Justice are a total and complete exoneration of the President of the United States."

A complete lie.

The Special Counsel did not find any collusion and did not find any obstruction. AG Barr and DAG Rosenstein further determined there was no obstruction. The findings of the Department of Justice are a total and complete exoneration of the President of the United States.”

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) March 24, 2019