Trump can be charged with obstruction of justice once he leaves office, Mueller says

Former special counsel Robert Mueller is facing questions from lawmakers about his report that investigated alleged collusion between the Trump administration and Russia during the 2016 US presidential election.

1. – Mueller opened his House Judiciary Committee hearing by telling members he will not address start of the Russia investigation or “matters related to the so-called Steele Dossier”
2. – Mueller told Congress his report did not exonerate Trump of obstruction
3. – The former special counsel said he is unable to answer why President Trump wanted him fired
4. – President Trump commented on Mueller’s investigation before testimony began, calling it the “Greatest Witch Hunt in U.S. history, by far”

Mueller is offering a more robust defense of his investigation and report in the second hour of this hearing. “I don’t think you have reviewed a report that is as thorough, as fair, as consistent as the report that we have in front of us,” he just told GOP Rep. Tom McClintock.

Mueller starting to push back when D’s try to get him to agree that Trump committed obstruction, unwilling to go beyond anything in the report. “Going thru elements does not to mean I subscribe to what you’re trying to prove through those elements,” he tells Lieu.

Rep. Ken Buck: "Could you charge the president with a crime after he left office?"

Robert Mueller: "Yes"

Buck: "You could charge the President of the United States with obstruction of justice after he left office?"

Mueller: "Yes" https://t.co/q26xNBe3pb #MuellerHearings pic.twitter.com/ky9Nnqv8Hz

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 24, 2019