NPR

'It's Falling Out Of The Trees,' Former Prosecutor Says Of Obstruction Evidence

It's too soon to determine whether obstruction of justice laws may have been broken in President Trump's conversations with James Comey. And a D.C. defense lawyer says the key issue is Trump's intent.
It's far too soon to make a definitive judgment about whether any laws have been broken in connection with the president's contacts with James Comey, the FBI director he fired a week ago. / OLIVIER DOULIERY / Getty Images

Hours after a news report that President Trump had asked the FBI director to back away from an investigation, Democrats seized on the information to accuse the White House of a serious crime.

"We are witnessing an obstruction of justice case unfolding in real time," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a former state attorney general.

"On its face, this is a textbook, prima-facie case of an attempt to obstruct justice," concluded Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., a former U.S. attorney. He added: "Whether there are mitigating circumstances remains to be seen."

It's far too soon to make a definitive judgment about

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