The Yomiuri ShimbunRussia’s suspected meddling in the U.S. presidential election has been a major cause of political turmoil in the United States since the inauguration of President Donald Trump’s administration. The question is whether the U.S. administration and Congress can move to resolve the ongoing confusion, with the closure of investigations into the affair by a special investigative counsel.

Wrapping up his probe into the matter after about one year and 10 months, Special Counsel Robert Mueller has submitted an investigative report to U.S. Attorney General William Barr. Barr outlined Mueller’s conclusions in a letter to Congress that has been made public.

In reference to Russian cyber-attacks on people associated with the Democratic Party in the 2016 presidential race, the special counsel has concluded that no evidence of collusion or collaboration between Trump’s camp and Russia has been found, according to the letter.

Mueller’s findings were inconclusive as to whether Trump’s request for then FBI Director James Comey to suspend the probe and the president’s firing of Comey, who had rejected the request, constituted an obstruction of justice.

“While this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him,” Mueller was quoted as saying in the report. This seems to indicate it was difficult and complex to interpret pieces of the evidence gathered.

Stating that he was entrusted with making a final judgment, Barr has reached a conclusion that “the evidence developed during the special counsel’s investigation is not sufficient to establish that the President committed an obstruction-of-justice offense.” In citing the reason for his conclusion, Barr said much of the conduct by the president had taken place in public, and that he had no intention to commit irregularities.

The latest move will not bring the matter to a close. It can be taken as a political judgment aimed at paying deferential attention to Trump.

Release report

The Democratic Party holds a majority of seats in the House of Representatives. There are concerns that the party’s attempt to continue its probe into the allegations could cause paralysis in the functions of the administration and Congress. To dispel doubts in this respect, Barr needs to swiftly release as much of Mueller’s report as possible.

Trump has said the latest move is a “complete and total exoneration.” He seems to be increasingly confident that it has removed hindrances placed on him over the allegations and investigations, giving him more room to act without restrictions.

Trump has described the series of investigations and the probe by the Democratic Party as a “witch hunt.” There is no doubt that he will use the latest development as a means for boosting his strategy for securing reelection in next year’s presidential race.

The problem is that there is no prospect for an improvement in Trump’s shaky management of his administration.

U.S. society is deeply divided now. A situation in which Republican Party supporters back the administration whatever happens while Democratic Party backers oppose it is becoming more firmly entrenched. There are concerns that Trump could issue a reckless chain of executive orders and state-of-emergency declarations to further cement his support base, thereby accelerating the confusion.

The possibility is not small that he may increase unreasonable demands tied to trade issues. It is also necessary to become cautious about a situation in which Trump would relax sanctions on Russia and North Korea in an unprincipled manner, with a view to improving relations with these countries.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 26, 2019)Speech

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