Something about the Mueller report still doesn’t add up
When Attorney General Bill Barr first released his four-page memo, after Robert Mueller submitted his report to him, like many of you, I was depressed. For a few days it really felt like a defeat and I couldn’t shake the feeling that corruption and deceit had won the day. It didn’t seem probable that Barr would blatantly mischaracterize a report that he knew would eventually be released. It didn’t make sense that he would stick out his neck that far for a man that he knew was a traitor.
But, that is exactly what he did. As the days went by it became more clear that the report from Mueller was nothing at all like the four page memo written by Barr. In fact, on the big findings it was substantively different. Now, just like Barr’s unexplained behavior, there are still things that don’t make a lot of sense. Why would Mueller shut down his investigation prematurely while Russian coordination prosecutions and investigations are not only ongoing, but are still turning over new information? Why would Mueller not move to indict anyone? Why would Mueller remain silent as Barr declared Mueller had not been overridden on any decision during the investigation? And why would Mueller remain silent now as Barr mischaracterized his findings and effectively painted a false narrative to the media and to the public?
Like the day after Bill Barr released his four-page memo, something is incongruous. Robert Mueller is a man of integrity. He has a stellar reputation that he cares about. He would not come out of retirement to work hard for two years, uncover and document criminal and traitorous activity by the President of the United States, just to write a report and go home.
The mystery corporation owned by a foreign government that was subpoenaed by Mueller’s team (some are speculating that it is a Swiss investment firm), lost their appeal to the Supreme Court. The Mueller report says that Erik Prince gave a cooperating proffer interview. Julian Assange is in a British jail, on behalf of the United States. Michael Flynn sold out everyone in exchange for a light sentence.
The fruits of all of these efforts were not revealed in the portion of the Mueller report that is public. I’m starting to believe again that Robert Mueller – who despite absolutely no media coverage of this fact, is still employed as the Special Counsel – is indeed a step ahead of Donald Trump, and he is playing the long game. He is up against pardon power. He clearly hoped that the report he submitted would be enough for impeachment, and he needed to release it as early as possible so that impeachment could happen before the criminal charges against Trump would be unleashed.
Cheryl Kelley lives in the DC area with her husband and young son. She is active in government and politics.