750 words on a four-page summary of a 300-page report

Some thoughts on Robert Mueller’s report, about which we hear much but know little:

Specified in Attorney General William Barr’s four-page summary was that the report of more than 300 pages did not exonerate Trump. Trump, being Trump, lied that it did. Republicans picked up the ball and are running with it.

Barr wrote, Mueller “did not establish” collusion, which is different from saying he established there was none. It’s consistent, though, with Mueller gathering facts for presentation to Congress, leaving conclusions to them, rather than to an AG who trolled for the post with unsolicited opinions on obstruction.

In that job application, Barr ruled out prosecuting Trump for obstruction, long before the final report, and despite agreeing, during his confirmation hearing, that actions similar to Trump’s constitute obstruction. Following special prosecutors’ reports on presidents Nixon and Clinton, their attorneys general deferred to Congress. Barr, though, did what he was selected to do: the opposite. More so if he censors the report. Either it contains material that’s more damning than he implied, or the deals Mueller granted were for what, nothing? Why, for example, lie about the Trump Tower meeting?

Barr wrote that Mueller found both-sided evidence but chose not to opine about obstruction. Trump’s end-zone dance may or may not be on the five-yard-line. If the report does provide total vindication, you’d think he’d want its full disclosure, immediately. (Reportedly, he required a summary of the summary. Read to him.) Let’s see if he orders its release. If not, we’ll understand there’s plenty he wants to remain hidden.

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