Obstruction of Justice

Summary

Obstruction of Justice can include any act intended to interfere with the administration of justice. This could include hindering an investigation, providing false information, or intimidating law enforcement officers.

Actions

Trump fired the person who was investigating his administration. James Comey was head of the FBI while the FBI was investigating Trump's Russia Connection. Comey works for Trump. Trump met with Comey several times and asked him to pledge his loyalty. Trump also suggested that the investigation should go away. But Comey continued the investigation. Trump asked Rosenstein in the Justice Department to write a letter saying Comey should be fired for bungling the Clinton investigation. Trump then fired Comey. Trump later revealed the real reason by telling his Russian visitors "I just fired the head of the F.B.I. He was crazy, a real nut job," ..."I faced great pressure because of Russia. That’s taken off."

Trump repeatedly tries to undermine the FBI investigation by referring to it as a "witch hunt". [WashingtonPost]

August 1, 2018 - Trump called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to end the special counsel’s inquiry into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. [NYTimes]

Mueller is looking at many of Trump's tweets as examples of Obstruction of Justice. [WashingtonPost]

Articles

  1. "Trump Told Russians That Firing ‘Nut Job’ Comey Eased Pressure From Investigation" New York Times, May 19, 2017
  2. "Trump’s real problem is that he obstructed justice, and Mueller can prove it. Here’s how." Washington Post August 22, 2018