Anticipation for Special Counsel Robert Mueller‘s surprise press conference Wednesday morning had risen to a fever pitch before his brief, cryptic comments didn’t exactly seem to deliver the gut punch many expected from him. His name was a top trending topic across social media as speculation built for a bombshell announcement that CNN billed as a monumental moment in American history.
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Alas, the press conference seemed to fall short of that billing as Mueller basically reiterated the Cliff Notes version of his report on Russian interference in the 2016 election that was delivered to Congress last month. In fact, during his press conference, Mueller went on to announce his official resignation while informing anyone who would listen that he expected his words Wednesday to be the first and last times he speaks publicly on the matter.
But it was Mueller’s understated utterance of 19 words in two sentences that caught the attention of people looking for cues when trying to properly decipher the special counsel’s statement. “There were multiple, systematic efforts to interfere in our election,” he said in no uncertain terms. “And that allegation deserves the attention of every American.”
That last sentence was taken as a nod to Congress, which has the ability to impeach President Donald Trump, someone who has denied Mueller’s aforementioned “allegation.”
Beyond that, Mueller actually didn’t have much else to really say other than repeating the summary findings of his report, which said he and his office were not authorized to bring the “unconstitutional” charges against the president for obstruction of justice.
“If we had confidence that the President clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so,” Mueller said. “We did not, however, make a determination as to whether the President did commit a crime.”
Mueller’s public comments came after nearly two years of violence while he and his team were investigating the election interference and possible collusion with Russia to affect the election’s outcome. But toward the end of his statement, he made it clear that the American people will never hear him speak on the topic ever again.
“I hope and expect this will be the only time I will speak to you in this manner,” he said.
That loaded statement also likely referred to any subpoena that may be directed at him, suggesting he would not voluntarily offer any testimony before a Congressional hearing.
And with that, Mueller stacked his paper, turned around from the podium and exited stage left in what could be his swan song in Washington. Watch the full statement below.
But social media users were left with much to desire as people seemed to expect much more from Mueller. As such, Mueller received the meme treatment across Twitter as social media users resorted to humor to mask their apparent frustration that Trump’s presidency will live to see another day. Scroll down to see the internet sound off.
