Mueller: President Trump can be charged after he leaves office

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WASHINGTON (AP) - Former special counsel Robert Mueller is affirming that a president can be charged with crimes after leaving office.

He says Justice Department guidelines prevented him from considering charges against President Donald Trump while he is in office.

Related: Mueller: I did not clear President Trump of obstruction of justice

-Trump asked officials to lieMueller: “That’s accurate”-Trump encouraged witnesses not to cooperate“That’s correct”-A failed attempt to obstruct justice is still a crime“That’s correct”-Trump can be charged after he leaves office“Yes”HIGHLIGHTS from #MuellerTestimony pic.twitter.com/S7yWWN3ROn

— Common Cause (@CommonCause) July 24, 2019

Because of the longtime Justice Department guidance that a sitting president cannot be indicted, Mueller says "one of the tools a prosecutor would use is not there."

Mueller has said his investigators could not exonerate Trump on obstruction of justice. His report said they did not find sufficient evidence to establish charges of criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Mueller is testifying Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee about his Russia investigation.

Mueller had made clear in his report that he could not exonerate Trump on obstruction of justice. His 448-page report also said investigators didn't find sufficient evidence to establish charges of criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia.