Donald Trump admits he’s not read the Mueller report into his presidential campaign

Donald Trump says he hasn't read the report investigating contacts between his presidential campaign and Russia, and that he only knows its conclusions.

Donald Trump says he hasn't read the report investigating contacts between his presidential campaign and Russia, and that he only knows its conclusions.

Donald Trump says he hasn't read the report investigating contacts between his presidential campaign and Russia, and that he only knows its conclusions. Source: AP

US President Donald Trump says he has not read Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report investigating contacts between his 2016 campaign and Russia.

"I have not read the Mueller Report yet, even though I have every right to do so," Trump wrote on Twitter.

"Only know the conclusions, and on the big one, No Collusion."

President Trump arriving at the white house after Mueller investigation concluded. He says he's not read the report.
President Trump arriving at the white house after Mueller investigation concluded. He says he's not read the report. Source: EPA/JIM LO SCALZO

US Attorney General William Barr has said he plans to make public a redacted copy of the nearly 400-page investigative report into Russian interference in the 2016 election by the middle of this month, if not sooner.

On March 22, Mueller completed his 22-month probe and Barr sent a four-page letter to Congress two days later outlining the main findings.

Barr told lawmakers the investigation did not establish that members of Trump's election campaign conspired with Russia, but also did not exonerate the president on obstruction of justice.

Barr said he had concluded there was not enough evidence to show that Trump committed the crime of obstruction.

Robert Mueller has released his report into the 2016 election to the Justice Department.Robert Mueller has released his report into the 2016 election to the Justice Department.
Robert Mueller has released his report into the 2016 election to the Justice Department. Source: AAP

But news media reports this week said members of Mueller's team were unhappy with the way Barr, a Trump appointee, had characterised the report's conclusions.

Asked in an interview with Fox and Friends Weekend about calls for the release of the full confidential report, Trump said on Saturday: "It's really up to the attorney general, whatever he wants to do".

In another tweet, Trump called the report "a total waste of time".

Barr did not meet a demand by Democrats in the US House of Representatives to provide the unredacted report to lawmakers by April 2.

US President Donald Trump claims he's been cleared of "collusion" by the Mueller report.
US President Donald Trump claims he's been cleared of "collusion" by the Mueller report. Source: AAP

He told Congress in a letter last week he must redact material that was presented to a grand jury, as required by law, as well as information that could reveal US intelligence agencies' sources and methods.

Congressional Democrats have indicated they will fight those redactions in court if the subpoena is ignored.

Russia's government has denied interfering in the US election.


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