By Aaron Miller-
Donald Trump is celebrating being acquitted of allegations in relation to claims of collusion with Russia to influence the 2016 U.S elections.
A summary of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s long-awaited report released on Sunday concluded there had been no conspiracy with Russia. The report was inconclusive on whether Mr Trump had obstructed justice. The news came as a blow to Democrats from the opposition who have called for full access to the reports. Mr. Trump said the outcome meant he had been completely exonerated.
The final outcome clearing the U.S president is a surprising one for many who feel that some of the discrepancies in accounts given by the president’s son and the president himself was sufficient to conclude against Trump. Longer time spent on a protracted investigation like this was meant to eventually nail the president if he had any skeletons in his closet in relation to Russia and the 2016 elections.
Mueller found nothing and has cleared the president of any collusion with Russia, who are notorious for illegal meddling.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement that Mr Trump’s claim that he had been “completely exonerated” was “not to be taken with any degree of credibility”.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement that Mr Trump’s claim that he had been “completely exonerated” was “not to be taken with any degree of credibility”.
The summary was released for Congress by Attorney General William Barr. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Mr Trump would let Mr Barr decide what to release but the president himself was “more than happy for any of this stuff to come out”.
Speaking at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida, Mr Trump declared: “There was no collusion with Russia. There was no obstruction… It was a complete and total exoneration.”
“It’s a shame that our country had to go through this,” he added. “To be honest, it’s a shame that your president has had to go through this. Before I even got elected it began and it began illegally.”
“The cloud hanging over President Trump has been removed by this report,” he said.