Trump says complete release of Mueller report won't bother him

WASHINGTON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he wouldn't be bothered if special counsel Robert Mueller's report on the concluded Russia investigation is completely released.

"It wouldn't bother me at all," Trump told reporters at the White House after a bilateral meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when asked if he wants the complete release of Mueller's report.

Mueller wrapped up his nearly two-year investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election last week by submitting a confidential report to Attorney General William Barr, whose summary to Congress on Sunday states that there was no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.

The special counsel did not reach a conclusion as to whether Trump had obstructed justice, according to Barr's four-page synopsis. The attorney general concluded Mueller's findings are "not sufficient" to support a charge.

Congressional Democrats have been demanding the full report from Mueller so that they can proceed with independent work, including oversight and legislating to address any issues the report may raise.

Trump said Monday that it is up to Barr to decide the report's public release, adding that he isn't thinking about pardoning anyone sentenced during the inquiry.

Mueller took over the investigation into the alleged Russia's actions in May 2017 after Trump abruptly fired former FBI director James Comey, a move that raised questions about potential obstruction of justice.

The investigation has led to felony charges against 34 people, including six Trump associates and advisers, and three entities.

Much of the charges against the Trump associates related to lying to Congress or federal investigators. None of them directly related to the question of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Trump touted Barr's summary as a "complete exoneration" on Sunday, while again lashing out at Mueller's investigation, which he has repeatedly called a "hoax" or a "witch hunt."

In sharp contrast to his past rhetoric, the president said Monday he thinks Mueller acted honorably.

"It's lasted a long time, we're glad it's over. It's 100 percent the way it should have been. I wish it could have gone a lot sooner, a lot quicker," Trump said of the inquiry.