On Politics: Mueller Breaks His Silence

2019年5月30日星期四

On Politics: Mueller Breaks His Silence

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May 30, 2019

Morning Edition

Good Thursday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today.

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• In his first public characterization of his investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, Robert S. Mueller III again declined to clear President Trump of obstruction of justice. He also noted that while Justice Department policy prohibits charging a sitting president with a crime, the Constitution provides another way to formally accuse wrongdoing — a clear reference to impeachment. Read more on Mr. Mueller’s statements here, and a full transcript here.

• The special counsel’s carefully chosen phrases stood in sharp contrast to Attorney General William P. Barr’s portrayal of the investigation as vindicating Mr. Trump. But Mr. Mueller left many things unsaid.

• Mr. Mueller’s public appearance proved more challenging for Democrats than for Mr. Trump: It divided them between those running for president, who quickly called for impeachment as they court the party’s liberal base, and those running in the House, who see political peril in the “i-word.”

• Mr. Mueller stated clearly that he hoped his public statement would be his last, but Democrats want him on a witness stand.

• Speaking at a graduation ceremony for Hunter College in New York hours after Mr. Mueller’s statements, Hillary Clinton said that Russia’s effort to interfere in the 2016 election “deserves the attention of every American.”

• Louisiana lawmakers voted to ban abortions after the pulsing of what becomes the fetus’s heart can be detected, the latest in a spate of similar legislation passed in recent months across the South. The restriction is backed by the state’s Democratic governo r.

• In repeating his readiness to pursue a new nuclear deal with Iran, Mr. Trump didn’t mention his administration’s aim to hobble what officials call Tehran’s “expansionist foreign policy” — an ambitious priority that is far more likely to lead the United States into war.

• Despite his blockade of Merrick B. Garland in 2016, Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, is now definitive that he would push a Trump high court nominee in the election year of 2020.

• Resisting Mr. Trump’s entreaties, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is dragging out consideration of an updated North American trade deal, putting off a vote at least until the fall.

• Beto O’Rourke released a broad immigration plan that would end Trump administration policies like family separation, travel bans and increased detentions and deportations. It also seeks a path to citizenship for undocumented migrants.

• Jaime Harrison, the first black chairman of South Carolina’s Democratic Party, announced a bid to unseat Senator Lindsey Graham. He sat down with The Times to talk about the race.

• The national Democratic Party will toughen the requirements for participating in the presidential primary debates this fall. For debate No. 3, in mid-September, candidates must have donations from 130,000 people and register at least 2 percent in four polls.

• Shane Cusick started his small business, Pello, in 2014 with the goal of making lightweight bikes for children. His experience over the past year is a case study in how a trade war can disrupt a fledgling enterprise.

• Mr. Trump is publicly making the case that Roy Moore, the controversial former Alabama judge, could cost Republicans a Senate seat if he chooses to run again. One person he hasn’t convinced is Mr. Moore himself.

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Today’s On Politics briefing was compiled by Isabella Grullón Paz in New York.

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Is there anything you think we’re missing? Anything you want to see more of? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com.