Trump: “Mueller should have never been chosen” as special counsel– live stream

Just one day after Special Counsel Robert Mueller announced his resignation from the Departmetn of Justice and the formal closing of hte Russia probe, President Trump slammed the longtime DOJ official, saying he “should have never been chosen” to lead the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. 

“He’s totally conflicted,” Mr. Trump claimed while leaving the White House for Colorado on Thursday. “He loves [James] Comey. Mueller should never have been chose because he wanted the FBI job. After you say that he can’t make a ruling on you.”

The president later claimed Mueller was part of the “Never Trump” movement of Republicans that was frustrated he “didn’t get the job he wanted.”

His comments come after Mueller, in his first public statement about his Russia probe, did not explicitly exonerate the president from wrongdoing related to the nearly two-year long investigation, and instead explained why his office never considered indicting him for obstruction of justice.

In response to Mueller’s statement, Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter that “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,” Mr. Trump wrote. He repeated those claims on the South Lawn.

“It was the same as the report. Not much changed. No obstruction, no collusion no nothing. It’s nothing but a witch hunt. It keeps going. It was the same as the report,” the president remarked. 

Mr. Trump also made remarks for the first time since tweeting that he “was not informed about anything having to do with” the USS John McCain after officers were told to keep a warship out of Mr. Trump’s view during his Memorial Day weekend visit to Japan. 

CBS News’ David Martin confirmed that an email requesting the warship be moved out of sight for the president’s visit to Yokosuka Naval Base this weekend was authentic. The request came from the White House. The late Senator McCain has been a frequent political target of Mr. Trump. 

Mr. Trump denied those reports, however, saying firmly that he was “not involved” in the decision-making process. 

“I would not have done that. I was not a fan of McCain. To me McCain, I wasn’t a fan. I would never do a thing like that. Someone did it. They were well-meaning. But I wouldn’t have,” Mr. Trump said. He added that he knew “nothing about” the decision to move the ship. 

On his way to Singapore, Acting Secretary of Defense John Shanahan said, “I never authorized, I never approved any action around the movement or activity regarding that ship. Furthermore, I would never dishonor the memory of a great American patriot like Senator McCain.” He added that his chief of staff would look into the matter.