Mueller reiterates indicting Trump was 'not an option'

During his first public statement in two years since launching an investigation into 2016 Russian election interference, Special Counsel Robert Mueller reiterated that indicting President Trump was "not an option," citing justice department guidelines.

Mueller, of course, laid out his thought process in his written report, a redacted version of which was published in April, but his words on Wednesday reinforced the idea that he was bound by the Justice Department. The guidelines Mueller adhered to say a sitting president cannot be indicted and Mueller added it "would be unfair to potentially accuse somebody of a crime when there can be no court resolution of the actual charge." He said it was important to conduct the investigation while Trump was still in office, however, because "memories are fresh" and access to documents is more reliable.

Mueller, though, was apparently speaking specifically about his office being unable to formally accuse the president of wrongdoing — he did note that that requires "a process other than the criminal justice system." In other words, impeachment. Tim O'Donnell

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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