The special counsel behind the report into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential campaign has said: "If we had confidence that the president did not commit a crime we would have said so."
Robert Mueller made his first statement since he was asked two years ago to act as special counsel to investigate any links between Donald Trump's campaign and Russian interference.
Mr Trump's campaign was cleared of any attempt to work with Russian meddlers to sway the electorate.
But the report did not make a conclusion about whether or not Mr Trump obstructed justice.
Tweeting after the statement, Mr Trump said: "Nothing changes from the Mueller Report. There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Country, a person is innocent. The case is closed! Thank you."
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Mr Mueller told reporters that he could not have charged Mr Trump with an offence while he was sitting as president, because of longstanding Justice Department protocol.
He said "it would be unfair" to potentially accuse someone of a crime when they could not stand trial to defend themselves.
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Announcing the closure of the office and his return to private life, Mr Mueller said: "If we had confidence that the president did not commit a crime we would have said so.
"We did not make a conclusion."
However, he defended the investigation, saying it was important for prosecutors to investigate while evidence was fresh in witnesses' minds.
He also said it allowed co-conspirators to potentially be brought to justice.
Opening his statement, Mr Mueller reiterated the basis of the investigation, which came about because of evidence of a "concerted attack" on the US which was "designed and timed to interfere with the elections and damage a presidential candidate".
He refused to enter further debate about whether the individual Russian citizens who posed as Americans online to influence the election were guilty or not.
He said the basis on the investigation meant the team also had to probe efforts to obstruct it.
He said: "When a subject of an investigation obstructs that investigation or lies to investigators, it strikes at the core of the government's effort to find the truth and hold wrongdoers accountable."
Mr Mueller's report revealed that Mr Trump had tried to seize control of the Russia probe and force Mr Mueller's removal so that he could not continue the investigation.
That is a potential obstruction of justice, but Attorney General William Barr decided with his deputy Rod Rosenstein that it not constitute an obstruction.
Mr Mueller said the ultimate basis of the report and the investigation were the "multiple, systematic efforts" to interfere in the election and said it "deserves the attention of every American".
Throughout the investigation, Mr Trump claimed it was a "witch-hunt".
He repeatedly told people there was "no collusion" and on the day the report was released he said "I'm having a good day".
Special counsel Mueller was tight-lipped through the investigation, making his statement afterwards particularly intrigRead More – Source
The special counsel behind the report into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential campaign has said: "If we had confidence that the president did not commit a crime we would have said so."
Robert Mueller made his first statement since he was asked two years ago to act as special counsel to investigate any links between Donald Trump's campaign and Russian interference.
Mr Trump's campaign was cleared of any attempt to work with Russian meddlers to sway the electorate.
But the report did not make a conclusion about whether or not Mr Trump obstructed justice.
Tweeting after the statement, Mr Trump said: "Nothing changes from the Mueller Report. There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Country, a person is innocent. The case is closed! Thank you."
Advertisement
Mr Mueller told reporters that he could not have charged Mr Trump with an offence while he was sitting as president, because of longstanding Justice Department protocol.
He said "it would be unfair" to potentially accuse someone of a crime when they could not stand trial to defend themselves.
More from Donald Trump
Announcing the closure of the office and his return to private life, Mr Mueller said: "If we had confidence that the president did not commit a crime we would have said so.
"We did not make a conclusion."
However, he defended the investigation, saying it was important for prosecutors to investigate while evidence was fresh in witnesses' minds.
He also said it allowed co-conspirators to potentially be brought to justice.
Opening his statement, Mr Mueller reiterated the basis of the investigation, which came about because of evidence of a "concerted attack" on the US which was "designed and timed to interfere with the elections and damage a presidential candidate".
He refused to enter further debate about whether the individual Russian citizens who posed as Americans online to influence the election were guilty or not.
He said the basis on the investigation meant the team also had to probe efforts to obstruct it.
He said: "When a subject of an investigation obstructs that investigation or lies to investigators, it strikes at the core of the government's effort to find the truth and hold wrongdoers accountable."
Mr Mueller's report revealed that Mr Trump had tried to seize control of the Russia probe and force Mr Mueller's removal so that he could not continue the investigation.
That is a potential obstruction of justice, but Attorney General William Barr decided with his deputy Rod Rosenstein that it not constitute an obstruction.
Mr Mueller said the ultimate basis of the report and the investigation were the "multiple, systematic efforts" to interfere in the election and said it "deserves the attention of every American".
Throughout the investigation, Mr Trump claimed it was a "witch-hunt".
He repeatedly told people there was "no collusion" and on the day the report was released he said "I'm having a good day".
Special counsel Mueller was tight-lipped through the investigation, making his statement afterwards particularly intrigRead More – Source
