Russian probe — Robert Mueller says charging Donald Trump was ‘not an option’
Global Pulse

Russian probe — Robert Mueller says charging Donald Trump was ‘not an option’

Israel to hold fresh elections in September after PM Netanyahu fails to form coalition.

   

Robert Mueller | Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg

There was insufficient evidence, says Trump

In his first televised public statement since the release of the ‘Russian Investigation Report’, US Special Counsel Robert Mueller said charging President Donald Trump was not an option.

Mueller said his report did not exonerate Trump and legal guidelines safeguard the President from being indicted.

Putting Trump in a precarious situation, Mueller said if Trump “clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so”.

Hinting at impeachment as the only possible legal action, Mueller said, “The Constitution requires a process other than the criminal justice system to formally accuse a sitting President of wrongdoing.”

Reacting to Mueller’s statement, Trump tweeted, “Nothing changes from the Mueller Report. There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Country, a person is innocent. The case is closed! Thank you.”

Meanwhile, some Democratic legislators have asked for the Congress (legislature) to respond and start the impeachment proceedings against Trump.

Netanyahu’s party only got 35 seats in 120-member Knesset

Israeli legislators voted for a fresh election to be held in September after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a coalition government.

Israeli elections concluded six weeks ago and Netanyahu’s Likud Party managed to get 35 seats in the 120-member Knesset, the parliament.

Netanyahu failed to form a coalition after he could not meet the demands of former defense minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is from the nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party.

Netanyahu needed the support of Lieberman’s party to cross the 61-majority mark, but was not ready to adhere to his demands.

Lieberman demanded that a bill be passed, which would increase the conscription of ultra-orthodox Jews into the Army. Currently, some ultra-orthodox groups are given certain exemptions from conscription.

Through most of his life, Lieberman has clashed with ultra-orthodox groups. These groups control 16 seats at the Knesset, and Netanyahu needed their support to form the government.