The Mueller report contains a great deal of important information about the Russian attacks on our democracy, the Trump campaign’s reactions to those attacks, and Donald Trump’s many efforts to obstruct justice.

The report begins by stating that: “The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion” and that the purpose of the Russian interference was to help elect Donald Trump.

The Trump campaign was quite open to receiving help from the Russian government. Instead of notifying the FBI that a hostile foreign government was illegally interfering in our election, Trump and his campaign welcomed their help.

Mueller also reported that multiple high-level Trump campaign officials lied to the FBI and to Congress about their Russian contacts. These individuals included Trump’s first National Security Adviser, his Campaign Chairman, and his personal lawyer. Also, Donald Trump, Jr., assisted by his father, lied to the public about the nature of a meeting he set up with a Russian lawyer who promised help for the Trump campaign from the Russian government.

The second part of the Mueller report documents the many ways that Donald Trump attempted to obstruct the investigation into the Russian attacks. The report states: “If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, we are unable to reach that judgment.”

Trump’s claim that the Mueller report “completely exonerates” him is clearly a lie. The report contains much evidence of criminal behavior and urges that this evidence be further investigated by the Congress.

The Democrats in Congress, along with a few Republicans, are making every effort to do just that. Donald Trump is making every effort to obstruct their investigations.

Larry Feldman

Lakeside