Visiting professor Corey Brettschneider wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post looking at key findings from Robert Mueller’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on July 24, 2019.
In testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, former special counsel Robert S. Mueller III reiterated a central conclusion from his report: Under Justice Department policy, a president cannot be prosecuted while in office. He also emphasized a point lost on many Americans. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) asked Mueller, “Could you charge the president with a crime after he left office?” Mueller answered “Yes.” Buck, who seemed surprised, asked again whether Trump could be charged specifically with obstruction of justice. Mueller again said clearly, “Yes.”
Mueller’s answer needs to be front and center as Congress decides its next move. If the president is reelected and serves his full term, the five-year statute of limitations on obstruction of justice will run out before he leaves office. Thus, reelection would almost guarantee that Trump will never stand trial for his crimes. The only way Congress can ensure Trump is ever held accountable is to begin impeachment proceedings.