WHAT IS THE REPORT?
The Mueller Report is the conclusion of an almost two-year investigation, led by Robert Mueller the special counsel, into the alleged Russian collusion with Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign
WHO IS ROBERT MUELLER?
Mueller was named special counsel in May 2017.
He is a Republican, former marine, and the longest-serving FBI director in the history of the agency.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR?
The Special Counsel submitted the report on the 22 March 2019.
The report found no evidence of collusion on behalf of the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it but did not exonerate the President completely.
Attorney General, William Barr, released a summary of the report determining that the Trump campaign did not collude with Russia, but was not completely vindicated. In his statement, Barr said: “While this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”
During the investigation, a handful of Trump’s closest former aides were prosecuted and some imprisoned for crimes not linked to collusion with Russia. Those prosecuted include, Roger Stone, Trump’s former political consultant. Stone was charged with obstruction of justice, false statements, and witness tampering.
VARYING REACTIONS
The report has triggered varying reactions from Democrats and Republicans.
President Trump called the report a “complete exoneration” and described it as “an illegal takedown that failed”
Democratic presidential candidates, including Bernie Sanders, Kristen Gillibrand, and Beto O’Rourke are among many to demand that the report is released to the public.
Senior Democrats are allegedly weary about attempting to impeach the president in case of uniting the Republican party and Trump supporters against them.
Trump remains confident and has said he is happy for the report to be released publicly.
RUSSIA’S REACTION
Russia has denied any involvement in attempting to influence the 2016 US election result.
Dmitry, Peskov, a spokesperson for Kremlin, has mocked accusations of collusion and the Russian media has ridiculed the report.
WHAT NEXT?
Many are requesting that the report is released to the public, but it is unclear how much will be revealed.
While Trump views this investigation as being concluded, he faces a number of separate federal and state inquiries which could pose “an even greater threat than the Russia probe”, as quoted by the Independent. Inquiries are investigating claims of corruption and false information given by Trump about his finances.
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