The Mueller report’s findings and the special counsel’s deferral to Congress increase pressure on Democrats and 2020 presidential candidates from the party’s left flank.
By Rachael Bade and Rachael Bade Congressional reporter Email Bio Follow Chelsea Janes Chelsea Janes Reporter covering the 2020 presidential campaign Email Bio Follow April 18 at 7:56 PM Top congressional Democrats said Thursday that President Trump sought to obstruct justice in trying to undermine the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and promised a thorough investigation.
The 10 areas where Mueller investigated Trump for obstruction View Graphic The 10 areas where Mueller investigated Trump for obstruction “The report indicates that President Trump tried on multiple occasions to obstruct justice, only to be thwarted by advisers who knew better,” said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer , striking a tone many Democrats hit throughout the day. “These include efforts to halt the special counsel’s investigation.
The caution underscores Democrats’ long-standing skepticism that they could and should impeach the president, reflecting the party’s view that the best chance to oust Trump is in next year’s presidential election. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she opposes moves to impeach Trump, arguing that though he is unfit for office, he’s “just not worth it.
“Special Counsel Mueller’s report paints a disturbing picture of a president who has been weaving a web of deceit, lies and improper behavior and acting as if the law doesn’t apply to him,” Pelosi and Schumer said. “But if you hadn’t read the report and listened only to Mr. Barr, you wouldn’t have known any of that because Mr. Barr has been so misleading.”
“With respect to whether the president can be found to have obstructed justice by exercising his powers under Article II of the Constitution, we concluded that Congress has authority to prohibit a president’s corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice,” the report said.
Rep. Steve Cohen said he believes Trump has “committed impeachable offenses” and “should be impeached”— but he also deferred to Pelosi on the matter.
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