West Virginia lawmakers react to Mueller report

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Most of West Virginia’s congressional delegates expressed satisfaction with special counsel Robert Mueller’s report which states there is no evidence showing anyone with President Donald Trump’s campaign worked with Russia to affect the 2016 presidential election.

The report, which Attorney General William Barr summarized Sunday in a letter to congressional leaders, also stated there is not sufficient enough evidence supporting if Trump obstructed justice. Barr added Mueller did not clear Trump of such action.

Muller’s 22-month investigation ended Friday; the work resulted in the indictments of 34 people, including former Trump presidential campaign chairman Paul Manafort, Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen and political consultant Roger Stone. None of the charges are related to interactions with Russians to impact the election.

Twenty-five people indicted are Russians accused of interfering in the election.

Trump repeatedly criticized the inquiry, calling it a “witch hunt.”

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said she is sure Mueller was able to fully complete his work, adding she is anticipating reading the full report.

“It’s good to see Special Counsel Mueller back up what President Trump has said all along — neither he nor his campaign conspired or coordinated with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election,” she said Monday in a press release.

Reps. David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Carol Miller each released statements of relief regarding the investigation’s end.

“After almost two years and $25 million, the special counsel has concluded its investigation and early reports say that there was no collusion,” McKinley said. “While it is critical that our government has checks and balances, this investigation has divided many members of Congress. With it ending, I hope Congress can return its full attention to addressing the issues that affect our country.”

Mooney criticized Democrats, asking party members to focus on other matters.

“After an exhaustive 22-month investigation, the Mueller report makes it clear there was no collusion between President Trump and Russia. It is time for Democrats to move on, end their partisan investigations and start focusing on issues that matter to all Americans,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va.

Miller, who released a statement Sunday, struck a similar tone, saying lawmakers need to “get back to work.”

“Over the past two years, while misguided Washington liberals pushed political conspiracy theories and attempted to discredit the 2016 election, President Trump and Republicans have created jobs, cut taxes, and reduced overburdensome regulations,” she said.

“Now that Special Counsel Mueller has vindicated our President, I urge my Democrat colleagues to refocus their previously misplaced energy and choose greatness for America by working with President Trump and Republicans to grow our economy, create more jobs, improve our infrastructure, strengthen our national security, and solve the crisis on our Southern Border.”

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., did not issue a statement related to the report. Spokesperson Jonathan Kott told MetroNews the senator was “reviewing the memo.”

Manchin and Capito voted last month to confirm Barr as attorney general, in which Manchin was one of three Democrats to support the nomination. Barr previously served in the office under then-President George H.W. Bush.

The House of Representatives passed a resolution earlier this month asking Barr to release the full report to Congress in addition to a public release in which certain information would be withheld.

The chamber passed the measure 420-0, with West Virginia’s representatives among those voting in favor.

Capito said Monday she wants the report’s findings made public in accordance with the law.

“I’m satisfied the special counsel was able to complete his investigation and look forward to learning more about the details of his report, and I trust Attorney General Barr to uphold his commitment to transparency in releasing them to Congress and the American people in accordance with the law,” she said.

Trump said Monday he would not oppose Barr releasing the full report.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., moved for the Senate to consider the resolution, which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., blocked.

“I’ve consistently supported the proposition that the special counsel should be allowed to finish his work without interference. The work of the special counsel, however, is not yet complete. Neither is the work of the Department of Justice,” McConnell said on the Senate floor.

“The attorney general told us yesterday that he’s working with the special counsel to determine how much of the special counsel’s report can be produced without violating the law and without jeopardizing other ongoing matters, including other matters initiated by the special counsel. The Justice Department and the special counsel ought to be allowed to finish their work in a professional manner.”

Barr told lawmakers in his letter he is working to identify information restricted from public publication.





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