The Justice Department released a redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report, sparking media frenzy and public speculation. The report, awaited for nearly two years, was humorously dissected for every detail, including Robert Mueller's airport sightings and tie color choices. Despite President Trump's claims of total exoneration, the report detailed numerous links between his campaign and Russia, and outlined instances of potential obstruction of justice. The handling of the report's release, including its delivery on CD to Congress, was mocked for its outdated method. Ultimately, the report's findings are now in Congress's hands, with implications for the 2020 election still uncertain.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Justice Department released the redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's final report.
2. The Mueller investigation produced a staggering number of indictments and convictions of some of the President's closest aides and advisers.
3. Trump was directly implicated in a crime to break election law during the 2016 campaign by paying hush money to cover up an affair.
4. Prosecutors referred to Trump as "Individual #1" in a court filing, despite also stating that Individual #1 began an ultimately successful campaign for President of the United States.
5. Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, revealed that Individual #1 was President Donald J. Trump.
6. Attorney General William Barr issued a letter summarizing the report, which was later described as not being a summary.
7. Mueller's team started leaking and saying they weren't happy with Barr's summary.
8. The report was delivered to Congress on CD, with a 45-minute delay before it was made public.
9. The report was posted on the Department of Justice website, with a link that was criticized for being difficult to find.
10. The Mueller report identified numerous links between the Russian government and the Trump campaign.
11. The report states that the investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government.
12. Barr briefed the White House on the report and allowed Trump's attorneys to see the report before it was made public.
13. The report includes details of Trump's attempts to influence the investigation, which were mostly unsuccessful due to his aides declining to carry out orders.
14. The report includes information about Trump's ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort's ties to Russia, including his communication with a Ukrainian political consultant tied to Russian intelligence.
15. A CNN poll found that many voters felt the Russia investigation was not an important issue for their 2020 vote.
16. The report includes a reference to Congress, stating that they may apply the obstruction law to the President's corrupt exercise of the powers of office.