Mueller: Trump can be charged with obstruction once he leaves office

Special counsel Robert Mueller confirmed in testimony on Wednesday that Trump could be charged with obstruction of justice after he leaves the presidency.

During his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, Mueller noted that, per an opinion from the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), it is not possible to charge a sitting president with a crime.

“Could you charge the president with a crime after he left office?” asked Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO).

“Yes,” replied Mueller.

“You could charge the president of the United States with obstruction of justice after he left office?” Buck asked, seeking to clarify the response.

“Yes,” said Mueller. “The OLC opinion says that the prosecutor cannot bring a charge against a sitting president, nonetheless he can continue the investigation to see if there are any other persons whom might be drawn into the conspiracy.”

Mueller’s statement supports the case made by more than 800 federal prosecutors, who signed a letter in May stating that Trump is worthy of a criminal charge. The letter noted that the only thing preventing Trump for being indicted of “multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice” is that he is currently president.

“We believe strongly that, but for the OLC memo, the overwhelming weight of professional judgment would come down in favor of prosecution for the conduct outlined in the Mueller Report,” the prosecutors noted in the letter.

Under oath in front of Congress, Mueller verified the assessment that Trump is being protected by his position as president.

Outside of the presidency, Trump would likely face legal consequences for his actions outside the law.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.