President Trump’s campaign took a victory lap on Sunday after Attorney General William Barr said the special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election found no evidence that the campaign conspired or coordinated with the Kremlin.
The campaign released a video shortly after Barr delivered a summary of special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) MuellerCNN’s Toobin warns McCabe is in ‘perilous condition’ with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill’s 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE’s findings that highlighted past statements from prominent Democrats in which they argued there was existing evidence of collusion.
“Dems hyped collusion with no evidence,” the ad reads. “Mueller proves them wrong.”
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The 40-second video, titled “Collusion Hoax!” proceeds to show brief, edited clips of Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Democratic National Commitee Chairman Tom PerezThomas Edward PerezClinton’s top five vice presidential picks Government social programs: Triumph of hope over evidence Labor’s ‘wasteful spending and mismanagement” at Workers’ Comp MORE and Reps. Eric SwalwellEric Michael SwalwellNASCAR bans display of Confederate flag from events and properties Gloves come off as Democrats fight for House seat in California Grenell says intelligence community working to declassify Flynn-Kislyak transcripts MORE (D-Calif.), Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffDemocrats introduce resolution condemning acts of violence against the press Schiff asks if defense resources provided intelligence during protests Schiff uses Tiananmen anniversary to condemn Trump’s response to protests MORE (D-Calif) and Jerrold NadlerJerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerPhilonise Floyd asks Congress to deliver justice for his brother Floyd’s brother to testify in front of House Judiciary Committee hearing on police brutality House Judiciary Committee to hold hearing on police brutality next week MORE (D-N.Y.) appearing on news shows in recent months declaring that there was evidence of collusion involving the campaign.
The video also sought to fundraise off of Mueller’s findings, urging supporters to text “WITCHHUNT” to the campaign in order to contribute money or be added to a mailing list. The campaign also sent a text to supporters seeking donations.
In addition to addressing the matter of collusion, Barr wrote that Mueller made no conclusion as to whether Trump obstructed justice in the investigation of Russian interference, but that he and Deputy Attorney General Rod RosensteinRod RosensteinRepublicans release newly declassified intelligence document on FBI source Steele GOP’s Obama-era probes fuel Senate angst Graham postpones Russia probe subpoena vote as tensions boil over MORE determined that there was no obstruction of justice charge.
Still, Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale issued a statement that echoed comments from the president and White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, declaring Trump had been “fully vindicated” by the special counsel’s report.
“Nevertheless, Democrats took us on a frantic, chaotic, conspiracy-laden roller coaster for two years, alleging wrongdoing where there was none,” he said. “So distraught and blindsided by the results of the 2016 elections, Democrats lied to the American people continually, hoping to undo the legitimate election of President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE.”
The campaign’s efforts to seize on Mueller’s findings provide a preview of a likely line of attack from the president as he hits the trail in support of his reelection bid in 2020. The president has a rally scheduled for Thursday night in Michigan.
Several Democrats seeking the party’s nomination to challenge Trump in 2020 weighed in shortly after Barr’s summary was published, calling for Mueller’s full findings to be made public.
“I don’t want a summary of the Mueller report,” Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) tweeted. “I want the whole damn report.”
“The Mueller report needs to be made public, the underlying investigative materials should be handed over to Congress, and Barr must testify,” Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (D-Calif.) tweeted. “That is what transparency looks like. A short letter from Trump’s hand-picked Attorney General is not sufficient.”
Nadler and Blumenthal, who were featured in the Trump campaign’s video, were among the numerous other Democrats who indicated that the full Mueller report should be made available to get an unbaised understanding of the special counsel’s findings.