In comments to Reuters, President Donald Trump said that he thinks he’s allowed to run the Mueller probe:
Legal observers out there already think the president is walking on some shaky ground:
The latter Tweet seems to be making a few logical leaps the original Tweet seems not to make. Whether Trump ordered opinions or research on whether or not he could actually runt he investigation is not part of the factual assertions of the original Tweet. Maybe he did. Maybe he didn’t. It’s unclear. Still, the usual chorus seems to be singing woefully:
Indeed, we have previously reported that President Trump’s own words could figure into any obstruction of justice analysis. We have also duly noted the many suggestions that Mueller’s investigation is heading toward a possible obstruction of justice charge.
For the record, obstruction of justice under 18 U.S.C. § 1503 is when a person “corruptly, or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication, endeavors to influence, intimidate, or impede any grand or petit juror, or officer in or of any court of the United States” or the “due administration of justice.” That’s just one of several flavors of obstruction of justice; here are a few others.
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[Editor’s note: This piece has been updated with additional details.]