Trump Calls Russia Probe ‘Attempted Coup,’ Says Of Obstruction: ‘We Fight Back’

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media prior to his departure from the White House April 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump will sign an executive order on ene... WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media prior to his departure from the White House April 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump will sign an executive order on energy and infrastructure during his visit at International Union of Operating Engineers International Training and Education Center in Crosby, Texas. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

President Donald Trump on Wednesday referred to the investigation into Russian election meddling and related matters as “an attempted coup,” “treason” and “illegal,” markedly harsh words, even for him, as Congress awaits special counsel Robert Mueller’s final report.

“This was an attempted coup,” Trump told reporters outside the White House, as Marine One whirred in the background. “This was an attempted take down of a President. And we beat them. We beat them.”

He also seemed to prime the public for the report’s contents regarding obstruction of justice. Mueller declined to make a prosecution recommendation on obstruction, and Attorney General William Barr subsequently said Trump’s actions were not criminal.

“When they talk about obstruction, we fight back,” Trump said. “And you know why we fight back? Because I knew how illegal this whole thing was. It was a scam.”

He added later: “What they did was treason. What they did was terrible. What they did was against our constitution and everything we stand for.”

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. Wow - he must really feel threatened.

    How scary for us all.

  2. Indeed.

  3. Avatar for enon enon says:

    dotard is getting very, very nervous. imagine what he’ll do once the shit really hits the fan.

  4. Donald Trump is mentally ill.

    Release the full report now!

  5. Release the complete report and impeach the motherf*cker.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

45 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for playitagainrowlf Avatar for az02132 Avatar for calgacus1 Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for thunderhawk Avatar for irasdad Avatar for sanni Avatar for riverstreet Avatar for khaaannn Avatar for jonney_5 Avatar for southerndem Avatar for unit44 Avatar for rickjones Avatar for katscherger Avatar for kelaine Avatar for erik_t Avatar for justruss Avatar for carolson Avatar for evave2 Avatar for icarus_jones Avatar for c_stedman Avatar for emiliano4 Avatar for Bri2k

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: