By Ray Mueller, originally published June 6, 2019
“He got away with it” – at least for now – is a simple way to assess the standing of President Donald J. Trump in the wake of the long-awaited but redacted Mueller report.
As long as he remains on the scene, Trump will crow about “no collusion” and “total exoneration” to his adoring adherents and whoever else cares to listen. Except for some legal and procedural technicalities and a Department of Justice policy of not indicting a sitting President, Trump would be facing prosecution now.
That statement is broadly backed by legal experts and nearly 1,000 former federal prosecutors. They indicate that many actions Trump undertook – contrary to existing laws – would have resulted in criminal prosecution for anyone other the person occupying the office of President.
Ironically, the bravery and integrity of several now former Trump staffers protected him, at least temporarily, from legal jeopardy at the moment. That’s because they refused to carry out orders from him which they recognized as being definitely illegal. Yet Trump says “no one disobeys my orders.”
Even in its redacted form, the Mueller Report identifies 10 of Trump’s actions as “obstruction of justice.” In bizarre fashion, Trump Atty General William Barr, a Trump apologist, delivered “fake news” accounts of the the Mueller Report.
Barr continued the pattern of lying which underlies how Trump tries to persuade and govern. At least until he pardons them, a number of Trump’s subordinates are in prison for lying about what they did on his behalf.
As this saga drags on, Democrats in Congress will continue to try to hold Trump accountable legally and politically for the activities described in the Mueller Report. Trump’s adherents will view those efforts as “sour grapes” because, in their words, “the case is closed.”
Even wording is disputed. While those in Trump’s orbit focus on the the word “collusion,” legal scholars and practitioners agree that “criminal conspiracy” is the proper legal term for any Trump 2016 campaign cooperation with Russians – whether official government people or not.
Regardless of what happens in the meantime, Trump, once he leaves office, could still face prosecutions arising from investigations being undertaken by several other judicial jurisdictions. That is clearly pointed out in the Mueller Report.
If the American people somehow re-elect Trump next year, it would say more about them than about him. They would be endorsing a person who specializes in lying and displaying contempt for the rule of law, most recently adding “stonewalling” and “running out the clock” to his already reprehensible repertoire.
Shockingly, government by tantrum, political revenge, simple slogan and schoolyard nicknames appeals to many people. Is it a form of entertainment for them?