Mueller says he's officially closing the Russia investigation and resigning as special counsel
We finally know what Special Counsel Robert Mueller's voice sounds like.
On Wednesday, more than a month after submitting a report of his two-year investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, Mueller publicly said the "investigation is complete." Mueller took no questions after the conference, but did say he was "formally closing the special counsel's office" and resigning his position "to return to private life."
Wednesday marked Mueller's first public statement regarding the probe, though it largely just summed up previous Department of Justice statements. Mueller's probe had concluded without charging President Trump with obstruction of justice, but also without exonerating him of the charge, and Mueller doubled down Wednesday by saying that if his team "had confidence that the president did not commit a crime, we would have said so." Still, Mueller clarified that it would "unconstitutional" to charge President Trump with a crime.
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.
Mueller's statement also comes amid continued efforts by House Democrats to get him to testify before Congress in the coming weeks, though Mueller implied he wouldn't agree to that because "the report is my testimony," he said. It also comes just days before CBS is set to air an interview with Attorney General William Barr on Friday. Barr reportedly knew what Mueller planned to say Wednesday ahead of time, and Mueller said no one asked him to make the Wednesday statement.
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
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Today's political cartoons - December 22, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - the long and short of it, trigger finger, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously spirited cartoons about the spirit of Christmas
Cartoons Artists take on excuses, pardons, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Inside the house of Assad
The Explainer Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez, ruled Syria for more than half a century but how did one family achieve and maintain power?
By The Week UK Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published