Trump news: Mueller testimony says president could face criminal charges as Trump rails against 'disaster' hearing

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Mueller says he 'generally' agrees with sentiment that Trump officials lies inhibited his investigation

Robert Mueller, the former US special counsel who investigated the Russian interference into the 2016 presidential campaign and Donald Trump campaign’s ties to Russia, has testified on Capital Hill, where he was asked to explain the conclusions he reached in his report released earlier this year.

The whole world was watching, and Democrats skilfully laid out the various ways in which Mr Mueller's report shows the president obstructed justice by trying to end the Mueller report.

They said they had 10 to list, in all.

Mr Trump had repeatedly attempted to downplay or dismiss Mr Mueller’s reluctant appearance on Capitol Hill — which was forced through a subpoena — to discuss his 448-page report into the 2016 election and its aftermath, but has attacked Mr Mueller's testimony anyhow, and has claimed Mr Mueller may have been conflicted because he had interviewed for a job as FBI director just before getting his job as special counsel (Mr Mueller had done that job before, had been praised for his work in that job, and denied he had interviewed for that job as the president says).

During the first half of his testimony, Mr Mueller indicated that a major reason the president was not charged was that Justice Department rules prohibit it. Mr Mueller did note that he believes a president could be charged with a crime after leaving office.

In the end, Democrats appeared to be laying the groundwork for further investigations into Mr Trump's political world, with top leaders pledging to follow the money trail to determine if the president had acted unlawfully.

And, with the future in mind, Democrats repeatedly asked Mr Mueller if the president could be charged with a crime once he leaves office. They said he could.

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[24 July 2019 15:24 · Clark Mindock]

"It is clear that any other person who has engaged in such conduct would be charged with a crime. We will continue our investigation and ensure that he is held accountable because no one is above the law," Mr Richmond says after once again summarizing that Mr Trump asked Mr McGahn to fire Mr Mueller, then to fabricate evidence contrary to that question later on.

[24 July 2019 15:26 · Clark Mindock]

Representative Matt Gaetz is telling Mr Mueller that the Steele dossier is within his purview, even though the former special counsel says it is not.

Mr Mueller has previously said today that it is not within his purview because the Justice Department is investigating that document.

[24 July 2019 15:26 · Clark Mindock]

Mr Mueller has now referred Mr Gaetz to the Justice Department for questions related to the Steele dossier.

[24 July 2019 15:28 · Clark Mindock]

Mr Gaetz is now referring to conversations between Peter Strzok and "attorney number 2", who both indicated they would resist Donald Trump's presidency.

Mr Mueller notes they both worked for him. He said earlier in the day that Mr Strzok was fired quickly after his views were discovered.

[24 July 2019 15:29 · Clark Mindock]

[24 July 2019 15:31 · Clark Mindock]

Here is our report on Mr Trump's reaction to today's hearing:

[24 July 2019 15:32 · Clark Mindock]

Mr Mueller is now being asked about the three elements necessary to prove obstruction of justice charges.

Mr Mueller is confirming those three elements are there, at least "generally".

[24 July 2019 15:34 · Clark Mindock]

"Those are the elements of obstruction of justice. This is the United States of America," Mr Jefferies says.

Mr Mueller says Mr Jefferies' analysis is "not out of the ballpark" but that he does not support the specific reasoning.

[24 July 2019 15:36 · Clark Mindock]

Here are the three elements necessary to prove obstruction, which Mr Mueller just confirmed (though he did not accuse Mr Trump of this today, specifically):

1. An obstructive act (attempting to get Mr Mueller fired)

2. Nexus of an official proceeding (the special counsel investigation itself)

3. Corrupt intent (attempting to avoid personal or criminal issues)

[24 July 2019 15:39 · Clark Mindock]

Mr Mueller, again, confirms that the president can be charged with a crime after leaving office.