Mueller says policy protected Trump from indictment but hints at impeachment in resignation statement

2020 Democrats have responded with forceful calls for prosecuting Mr Trump in congress

Special counsel Robert Mueller has spoken publicly for the first time following the release of his report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election, saying that his investigation could not have charged Donald Trump with obstruction because of Department of Justice policy that prohibits charging a sitting president with a crime.

In a statement, Mr Mueller hinted that congress holds the authority to impeach a sitting president, and appeared to directly contradict attorney general William Barr’s interpretation of his report by saying that his office “would have said so” if his investigators “had confidence the president clearly did not commit a crime”.

He continued, noting that congress has the authority to impeach a president, not the Department of Justice, which is a part of the executive branch of the US government.

“The constitution requires a process other than the criminal justice system to formally accuse a sitting president of wrongdoing,” Mr Mueller said, noting that his team had followed protocol in not charging the president – even under seal – because it would be unfair to charge an individual whose case could not actually be adjudicated. “It would be unfair to potentially accuse somebody of a crime when there can be no court resolution to the actual charge.”

Beyond obstruction, Mr Mueller defended his office’s investigation, and stated that the findings of Russian meddling in the election were of great importance to the American people.

“There were multiple, systemic efforts to interfere in our election,” Mr Mueller said. “And that allegation deserves the attention of every American.”

Soon after Mr Mueller’s statement, Mr Trump responded on Twitter claiming his innocence despite the retiring special counsel’s comments.

“Nothing changes from the Mueller report. There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our country, a person is innocent,” Mr Trump said. “The case is closed! Thank you.”

Press secretary Sarah Sanders also weighed in, claiming that Mr Mueller’s report made it clear that there was “no collusion, no conspiracy”, and noted that the Department of Justice had determined not to charge the president with obstruction.

“The special counsel has completed the investigation, closed his office, and has closed the case,” Ms Sanders said in a statement. “Mr Mueller explicitly said that he has nothing to add beyond the report, and therefore, does not plan to testify before congress. The report was clear – there was no collusion, no conspiracy – and the Department of Justice confirmed there was no obstruction. Special counsel Mueller also stated that attorney general Barr acted in good faith in his handling of the report. After two years, the special counsel is moving on with his life, and everyone else should do the same.”

The Democrats responded to Mr Mueller’s report by calling for further punitive action against the president, apparently sensing that Mr Mueller had not meant to exonerate the president.

That includes 2020 presidential candidates hoping to take Mr Trump on next year in the general election. Among those are Elizabeth Warren, Beto O’Rourke, and Julian Castro – all of whom had come out forcefully in favour of impeachment previously.

“Mueller leaves no doubt: 1) He didn’t exonerate the president because there is evidence he committed crimes. 2) Justice Department policy prevented him from charging the president with any crimes. 3) The constitution leaves it up to congress to act – and that’s impeachment,” Ms Warren tweeted.

Newcomers to that line of thinking include Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, who both said they believe Democrats in the house must now act.

“What Robert Mueller basically did was return an impeachment referral. Now it is up to congress to hold this president accountable,” Ms Harris tweeted. “We need to start impeachment proceedings. It’s our constitutional obligation.”

Mr Booker said the Trump administration “has continued to stonewall congress’s oversight” in a statement on Twitter that made his views explicit on the issue for the first time.

“Robert Mueller’s statement makes it clear: Congress has a legal and moral obligation ot begin impeachment proceedings immediately,” Mr Booker said.

Democrats in the house, meanwhile, were less explicit. Jerry Nadler, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement that the president has been “lying about the special counsel’s findings”, and promised action in congress.

“Given that special counsel Mueller was unable to pursue criminal charges against the president, it falls to congress to respond to the crimes, lies and other wrongdoings of President Trump – and we will do so,” Mr Nadler said in a statement. “No one, not even the president of the United States, is above the law.”

House speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has resisted the measure previously by saying that the house must conclude its investigations, thanked Mr Mueller for his service as special counsel and challenged the policy that kept him from charging Mr Trump. But, she did not call for the president’s impeachment.

“Despite Department of Justice policy to the contrary, no one is above the law – not even the president,” Ms Pelosi said in a statement.

“The congress holds sacred its constitutional responsibility to investigate and hold the president accountable for his abuse of power,” Ms Pelosi continued. “The congress will continue to investigate and legislate to protect our elections and secure our democracy. The American people must have the truth.”