Author Michael Wolff writes in his new book that the Mueller team drew up an obstruction of justice indictment against Trump but shelved it.
Mueller’s Team Drew Up An Obstruction of Justice Indictment Against Trump
A new book from Fire and Fury author Michael Wolff says special counsel Robert Mueller drew up a three-count obstruction of justice indictment against Donald Trump before deciding to shelve it – an explosive claim which a spokesman for Mueller flatly denied.
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According to a document seen by the Guardian, the first count, under Title 18, United States code, Section 1505, charged the president with corruptly – or by threats of force or threatening communication – influencing, obstructing or impeding a pending proceeding before a department or agency of the United States.
The second count, under section 1512, charged the president with tampering with a witness, victim or informant.
The third count, under section 1513, charged the president with retaliating against a witness, victim or informant.
There was a lot of smoke during the Mueller investigation surrounding the obstruction of justice investigation. It is possible that members of Mueller’s team were ready to indict Trump, but their boss pulled back on it because of the DOJ opinion that a sitting president can’t be indicted.
Why The Trump Indictment Story Likely Isn’t True
Michael Wolff has been caught in factual inconsistencies before. A bigger problem is the logic of the story. Robert Mueller is a by the book investigator. He is not the sort who would challenge the DOJ opinion that a sitting president can’t be indicted. The odds are that Mueller fully intended for Congress to decide Trump’s fate on obstruction of justice.
It is an interesting story being told by Wolff but until more third-party evidence comes forward to support it, the idea of Mueller wanting to indict Trump, but pulling back should be taken with a grain of salt.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
