The Truth Behind the Mueller Report and Trump's Innocence Claims
It is often said that ignorance is bliss, but when the widespread belief is based on a lack of understanding the facts, it can be both frustrating and concerning. This is particularly relevant when discussing the Mueller Report and its implications for President Donald Trump's involvement in any criminal activities.
If Mueller Found No Evidence of Collusion, Would Trump Be Proven Innocent?
The short answer is no, that would not mean he is innocent. The Mueller Report did find evidence of both Russian collusion and obstruction of justice. If the report found no collusion or obstruction by President Trump, it would be more accurate to say that the specific allegations were not substantiated in the context of the inquiry.
What the Mueller Report Actually Found
According to the report, Russian collusion involved over 140 instances where the Trump campaign worked closely with the Russian government to secure Donald Trump's election in 2016. Additionally, there were 11 specific instances of obstruction of justice. These findings were referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for potential prosecution, yet Bill Barr's declaration that a sitting President cannot be indicted is a matter of interpretation.
The report itself, with its legal language and intricate details, is far more nuanced than a simple 'Find in' or 'Not guilty' verdict. For instance, it states: "If we could NOT say Trump my name for it committed no crimes, we would say that. We cannot say that," which means that President Trump did commit crimes.
Collusion: A Misunderstood Term
The term 'collusion' is often misunderstood. Collusion does not mean a lack of evidence; rather, it refers to working together to achieve a common goal, particularly in contexts where it might be unethical or illegal. When the Mueller Report states that there was collusion, it indicates that there was a common understanding and coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.
Crimes such as 'X worked with Y to commit bank fraud' or 'X and Y committed bank fraud' define the concept of collusion. Therefore, while collusion may describe a kind of improper alliance, it does not rule out the possibility of criminal activity. In the case of the Trump campaign, collusion was often a precursor to or involved in criminal activities.
Obstruction of Justice: Prosecution and Outcome
Both the 11 instances of obstruction of justice identified in the Mueller Report were referred to the DOJ for possible prosecution. However, Bill Barr's declaration that a sitting President cannot be indicted was a strategic move rather than a legal impossibility. This decision provided Trump with a temporary shield but did not mean he was innocent.
Moreover, Mueller himself, known for his adherence to the law, took pains to be as transparent as possible within the legal and constitutional limits. While he lied 'kind of' by cloaking the truth in a double negative sentence, his actions were legally questionable. The report's language was designed to avoid the legal jeopardy of naming Trump directly, yet it remained clear that he certainly did commit crimes.
Regular Republicans and the Disinformation Campaign
It is disheartening to see how many Republicans, including those who should know better, continue to ignore the facts presented in the Mueller Report. The confusion stems from a combination of political bias, misinformation, and a refusal to acknowledge evidence that contradicts their beliefs. The phrase 'willful ignorance' often fits this behavior perfectly.
The widespread disbelief in the findings by true believers in the Trump administration often relies on the idea that the report was inconclusive or lacked evidence. However, the 140 instances of collusion and the 11 instances of obstruction clearly indicate a substantial involvement in criminal activities by the Trump campaign. The resistance to this truth is more about maintaining a political narrative than about the facts presented.
Conclusion
The Mueller Report is a detailed document that leaves little room for misunderstanding. If the report found no evidence of collusion or obstruction, it would indeed reflect a different situation. However, based on the specific findings and the subsequent actions taken, it is clear that collusion and obstruction did occur. This means that the Trump administration's actions were not only politically questionable but also potentially illegal.