Donald Trump claims he has been completely exonerated by an inquiry into allegations Russia conspired to help him win the 2016 election. A summary of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s long-awaited report released on Sunday found the Trump campaign had not conspired with Russia.
However it was inconclusive on whether Mr Trump had obstructed justice. The Russia allegations had cast a shadow over Mr Trump’s presidency and his chances of re-election in 2020.
Opposition Democrats are demanding full access to Mr Mueller’s report, which was summarised for Congress by Attorney General William Barr.
The report was the culmination of two years of investigation by Mr Mueller which saw some of the president’s closest former aides prosecuted and, in some cases, imprisoned, although not for collusion with Russia. Speaking at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida, Mr Trump declared: “There was no collusion with Russia. There was no obstruction… It was a complete and total exoneration.”
“It’s a shame that our country had to go through this,” he added. “To be honest, it’s a shame that your president has had to go through this. Before I even got elected it began and it began illegally.”
Having repeatedly described the inquiry as a witch hunt, Mr Trump said it was an “illegal takedown that failed”.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has been sharply critical of the president in the past, tweeted that it was a “great day for President Trump and his team”.
“The cloud hanging over President Trump has been removed by this report,” he said.
White House adviser Kellyanne Conway sent the president “congratulations” on Twitter, saying: “Today you won the 2016 election all over again. And got a gift for the 2020 election.”
