The Mueller Report
Volume II
Exoneration
Much has been stated about exoneration by the Mueller Report. In the report the word exoneration is found four times. One is a quote from Trump. The other three expend significant effort to clearly state that Trump is not exonerated.
Introduction to Vol II, page 2 second to last paragraph.
Fourth, if we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgment. The evidence we obtained about the President's actions and intent presents difficult issues that prevent us from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.
The first use of the word is completely clear. The first two sentences said the same thing in different words.
Page 8, last paragraph
STATUTORY AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEFENSES
Because we determined not to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment, we did not draw ultimate conclusions about the President's conduct. The evidence we obtained about the President's actions and intent presents difficult issues that would need to be resolved if we were making a traditional prosecutorial judgment. At the same time, if we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, we are unable to reach that judgment. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.
Despite many words to the contrary, the report is very clear that it does not exonerate.
In my words, the OSC (Office of Special Counsel) took the position that they were not allowed to indict the president and not even to levy charges against him. Theirs was only to report the facts.
Page 109, In a section subtitled: additional Efforts to Have Sessions Unrecuse or Direct Investigations Covered by his Recusal.
A quote from Trump includes the word:
Two days later, on October 18, 2017, the President tweeted, "Wow, FBI confirms report that James Corney drafted letter exonerating Crooked Hillary Clinton long before investigation was complete.
This is not from the OSC team.
Conclusion, page 182
Because we determined not to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment, we did not draw ultimate conclusions about the President's conduct. The evidence we obtained about the President's actions and intent presents difficult issues that would need to be resolved if we were making a traditional prosecutorial judgment. At the same time, if we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, we are unable to reach that judgment. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.
The phrase is exactly as in the first occurrence. It is again preceded by a statement clearly denying exoneration Of four uses of the exonerate the OSC team writes three times that this does not exonerate Trump.