Letter to the editor: Mueller did not exonerate Trump

Regarding Rep. Guy Reschenthaler’s op-ed “Mueller show’s over; it’s time to move on”: Robert Mueller does not do “shows.” He investigates and makes recommendations to courts, Congress and the Department of Justice.

Mueller did not exonerate Donald Trump of collusion. As a former JAG officer, you, Mr. Reschenthaler, certainly know that collusion is not a legal term and therefore a person would not be charged or exonerated.

Mueller did not clear Trump of obstruction of justice. He wrote and testified that he did not make that determination because of the DOJ policy that a sitting president cannot be indicted.

Mueller was tasked with determining if the Russians interfered in our 2016 election, and it is clear that they did. Congress has a duty to secure our elections, but you, Mr. Reschenthaler, voted against the House bill to do just that. Mueller cited numerous times that Trump and his campaign were in contact with Russian operatives and numerous times Trump tried to obstruct the investigation of himself.

Congress must use the Mueller report to determine if the president conspired to obstruct justice. If Trump is innocent and wants the country to move on, he should be encouraging his advisers to respond to congressional subpoenas and provide all emails and memos to exonerate himself.

Congress has a duty to investigate. Trump should want to put all his evidence on record. He will either exonerate himself or indict himself. Only then, Mr. Reschenthaler, can the country move on.

Renalda Arndt

South Huntingdon