Watch legal analysts explain why the Trump obstruction of justice investigation is a big deal, won't lead to an indictment


On CNN Wednesday night, Anderson Cooper asked legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin about the Washington Post report that President Trump is personally under investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller for obstruction of justice, wondering how big a deal that is. "Well, Anderson, it's a huge deal, and I don't hate to tell you that I told you so," Toobin said.
FBI Director James Comey's testimony combined with the reports that Trump tried to get other intelligence officials to stop Trump-related investigations clearly merits an obstruction investigation, Toobin said. "Doesn't mean that Trump is guilty, doesn't mean there's going to be an indictment, an impeachment, or anything like that, but there is clearly evidence that justifies an investigation, and this tremendous scoop by The Washington Post just makes clear that Mueller is doing his job."
Even if he finds concrete evidence that Trump obstructed justice, however, "Mueller's not necessarily going to put Mike Pence in office — that's not how this works," Jonathan Lemire, Associated Press White House correspondent, explained on MSNBC's The 11th Hour. The Justice Department "has said that they're loathe to indict a sitting president on any sort of criminal charges." What Mueller's team will do is conduct its criminal investigation and turn the evidence over to Congress, where it'll be "up to the House and the Senate to discuss impeachment and removal," Lemire said. Brian Williams said that's when things would get interesting, but suggesting things aren't already interesting seems a pretty big disservice to 2017. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Colleges are canceling affinity graduations amid DEI attacks but students are pressing on
In the Spotlight The commencement at Harvard University was in the news, but other colleges are also taking action
-
When did computer passwords become a thing?
The Explainer People have been racking their brains for good codes for longer than you might think
-
What to know before 'buying the dip'
the explainer Purchasing a stock once it has fallen in value can pay off — or cost you big
-
White House tackles fake citations in MAHA report
speed read A federal government public health report spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was rife with false citations
-
Judge blocks push to bar Harvard foreign students
speed read Judge Allison Burroughs sided with Harvard against the Trump administration's attempt to block the admittance of international students
-
Trump's trade war whipsawed by court rulings
Speed Read A series of court rulings over Trump's tariffs renders the future of US trade policy uncertain
-
Elon Musk departs Trump administration
speed read The former DOGE head says he is ending his government work to spend more time on his companies
-
Trump taps ex-personal lawyer for appeals court
speed read The president has nominated Emil Bove, his former criminal defense lawyer, to be a federal judge
-
US trade court nullifies Trump's biggest tariffs
speed read The US Court of International Trade says Trump exceeded his authority in imposing global tariffs
-
Trump pauses all new foreign student visas
speed read The State Department has stopped scheduling interviews with those seeking student visas in preparation for scrutiny of applicants' social media
-
Trump pardons Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery
speed read Former sheriff Scott Jenkins was sentenced to 10 years in prison on federal bribery and fraud charges