Trump’s victory lap

In response to Marc A. Thiessen, “Collusion Hall of Fame” (March 31), and Kathleen Parker, “Requiem for an investigation,” (March 28):

President Trump is taking a victory lap for successfully neutralizing the Mueller investigation. Let’s see how he did that, step by step.

Using pro-Trump media outlets like Fox News and Sinclair Broadcasting, Trump painted the Mueller investigation as a Democrat offensive. The investigation was actually instigated by the Department of Justice and the FBI, two extremely conservative organizations staffed principally by Republicans.

Trump’s next step was to characterize the investigation as an illegitimate witch hunt, even though the investigation yielded 34 indictments, including seven against Trump’s campaign staff.

When the investigation veered toward his family and close friends, Trump told the DOJ and FBI that direction was “a red line that could not be crossed.” Mueller honored that red line and never subpoenaed Trump family members who met with Russians.

When it became obvious that Attorney General Jeff Sessions was not controllable, Trump fired him and replaced him with William Barr, who had written a paper stating a sitting president could not be indicted.

After the Mueller report was finished Trump had AG Barr and Senate Leader Mitch McConnell suppress the full report.

Thus, Trump controlled the investigation from start to finish. Hence the victory lap.

Paul Oman

Clarkston, Wash.