Trump needs to talk about obstruction of justice

The investigation into possible collusion and obstruction by President Trump has taken many turns. None more shocking than Trump’s new claims that he could take over the Russia investigation now headed by Robert Mueller. Trump told Reuters he wouldn’t rule out revoking Mueller’s security clearance and that he could run the investigation, essentially investigating himself. Trump continues to call the investigation a witch hunt, and repeats that there has been no collusion. The President also still won’t give a straight answer on whether he will consent to sit down for an interview with Mueller. His attorneys have demanded that the President only be asked certain questions. He will not consent to be asked whether he obstructed justice, which is at the heart of Mueller’s case. He claims it would be too easy to perjure himself. But if Trump is telling the truth, that there is no collusion and that he didn’t obstruct justice, then what does he have to fear from telling the truth? Trump could bring this long drawn-out investigation to a quick end if he just agreed to be interviewed by the special counsel. This issue is too important to our democracy. If the President of the United States somehow worked with our Russian rivals to secure victory in the election, then lied about it, that would be unprecedented. All citizens, regardless of party, should insist that we get to the bottom of this investigation so we can all learn the truth, regardless of whether it is what we want to hear.