Top Democrats are accusing President Trump
Donald John TrumpKobach agrees to recuse himself from vote counting in Kansas GOP primary NFL players kneel during national anthem before first preseason game Schiff blasts GOP for Russia probe conduct: 'That's how you obstruct an investigation, not how you conduct one' MORE of obstructing justice for his tweet calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsJudge threatens to hold Sessions in contempt after attempted deportation of migrant woman Immigration policy adviser: Trump administration keeps moving the goal posts on DACA deal The Hill's Morning Report — Trump to GOP: I will carry you MORE to end special counsel Robert Mueller
Robert Swan MuellerSasse: US should applaud choice of Mueller to lead Russia probe MORE’s investigation.
Sen. Tom Udall
Thomas (Tom) Stewart UdallCourt orders Trump EPA to ban controversial pesticide Top Dems: Trump tweet telling Sessions to end Mueller probe was obstruction of justice Dem senators introduce resolution calling on Trump to stop attacking the press MORE (D-N.M.), a former prosecutor, labeled the tweet obstruction.
“As a former prosecutor, I call this obstruction of justice,” Udall tweeted Wednesday. “No one is above the law — not even the president. People in New Mexico and across the country are tired of ultra-rich and powerful people like Donald Trump trying to abuse their power to protect themselves.”
As a former prosecutor, I call this obstruction of justice. No one is above the law—not even the president. People in New Mexico and across the country are tired of ultra-rich and powerful people like Donald Trump trying to abuse their power to protect themselves. https://t.co/J9gemadgRr
— Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) August 1, 2018
"If it isn’t obstruction of justice itself, it is evidence of intent to obstruct justice," Blumenthal told NBC News. "These kinds of threats are no accident, they reflect a state of mind to obstruct justice. The threats and bullying from the president of the United States against a law enforcement officer constitute evidence of obstruction of justice."
Rep. Adam Schiff
Adam Bennett SchiffSchiff blasts GOP for Russia probe conduct: 'That's how you obstruct an investigation, not how you conduct one' Treason! The new party game that everyone is playing White House seeks to clarify Trump criticism of 'Russia hoax' MORE (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee and a vocal Trump critic, said Trump’s tweet was obstruction “hiding in plain sight.”
The President of the United States just called on his Attorney General to put an end to an investigation in which the President, his family and campaign may be implicated.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) August 1, 2018
This is an attempt to obstruct justice hiding in plain sight. America must never accept it. https://t.co/F8b6a0IGOh
And Rep. Eric Swalwell
Eric Michael SwalwellTop Dems: Trump tweet telling Sessions to end Mueller probe was obstruction of justice Dem lawmaker warns Trump: 'Fire Mueller and we fire you' Sunday shows preview: Giuliani strikes back MORE (D-Calif.) issued a straightforward warning to Trump — shut down the Mueller probe and face impeachment.
“Fire Mueller and we fire you,” Swalwell tweeted.
Fire Mueller and we fire you. https://t.co/MLHrJDFwKu
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) August 1, 2018
Mueller, who is investigating possible ties between Trump's campaign and Russia, is reportedly looking into Trump’s tweets as part of an investigation into whether the president obstructed justice.
Trump’s morning social media storm called the investigation a “terrible situation” that must be stopped “before it continues to stain our country any further.”
The White House and Trump’s legal team quickly tried to tamp down the obstruction claims on Wednesday, saying that Trump is frustrated by the probe and was using Twitter to vent.
Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, told reporters in New Hampshire that Trump’s tweet was not an order for Sessions.
“It's an opinion. And he used a medium that he uses for opinions: Twitter,” Giuliani said. “He used the word ‘should.’ He didn't use the word ‘must.’ And there was no presidential directive that followed.”
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders echoed that claim during Wednesday’s White House press briefing.
“It’s not an order, it’s the president’s opinion,” Sanders said. “The president has watched this process play out, but also wants to see this come to an end.”
Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation last year and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein
Rod Jay RosensteinConservative editor: House GOP should not try to impeach Rosenstein Giuliani predicts Mueller case is ‘going to blow up on them’ Recording reveals Nunes saying Rosenstein impeachment would complicate Kavanaugh confirmation MORE has been overseeing the probe.
