Special counsel Robert Mueller did not find that the Trump campaign or its associates "conspired or coordinated" with Russia in its efforts to influence the 2016 election, according to a summary of his report released tonight.
Mueller did not go as far as to exonerate President Trump of obstruction of justice.
Trump reacted to the news on Twitter saying that it was "complete and total exoneration"
No Collusion, No Obstruction, Complete and Total EXONERATION. KEEP AMERICA GREAT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2019
The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said a letter from the Justice Department describing the findings "does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him".
The department sent the letter to Jerrold Nadler on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Nadler tweeted that the Justice Department "determined not to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment".
“The Special Counsel’s investigation did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia in its efforts to influence to 2016 presidential campaign,” tweeted journalist Joe Concha, quoting the letter.
Barr says that the President may have acted to obstruct justice, but that for an obstruction conviction, “the government would need to proved beyond a reasonable doubt that a person, acting with corrupt intent, engaged in obstructive conduct”.
— Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) March 24, 2019
Key addendum: Trump campaign or those associated did not collude or conspire with Russia to influence the 2916 election, and this is key: “Despite multiple offers from Russian-affiliated individuals to assist the Trump campaign.”
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) March 24, 2019
White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders issued a statement on Twitter, calling the report a "total and complete exoneration" for President Trump.
"The Special Counsel did not find any collusion and did not find any obstruction. AG Barr and DAG Rosenstein further determined there was no obstruction.
"The findings of the Department of Justice are a total and complete exoneration of the President of the United States.”
The Special Counsel did not find any collusion and did not find any obstruction. AG Barr and DAG Rosenstein further determined there was no obstruction. The findings of the Department of Justice are a total and complete exoneration of the President of the United States.”
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) March 24, 2019
Donald Trump Jnr also released a statement criticising the media for "two years of non-stop conspiracy theories".
"It's my hope that honest journalists within the media have the courage to hold these now fully debunked truthers accountable and treat them with the scorn and ridicule they deserve," he added.
Statement from @DonaldJTrumpJr pic.twitter.com/jzkcOCXyqD
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) March 24, 2019