ROBERT MUELLER/RUSSIA INVESTIGATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump feels vindicated. And now he’s out for blood. Wearing the same red tie he wore on Inauguration Day, Trump took the stage in Michigan on Thursday [3-28-19] for the first time since being cleared of Russian conspiracy charges and proceeded to tear through a vengeance-laced speech that felt as much like a second inaugural as it did a campaign rally. One by one in front of a packed audience, Trump ticked through those who he felt wronged him over the 22-month Russia probe that dogged his presidency — from lawmakers to television pundits — egging the adoring crowd on as it chanted, ‘Lock them up.’ And he expressed sympathy for those caught up in the probe, describing them as ‘innocent’ individuals badly damaged by ‘an elaborate hoax,’ amid speculation that he will pardon former aides facing Mueller-related prison time. The broadside gave a preview of how Trump plans to use the investigation as a major cudgel to rally his base and trash his enemies heading into the 2020 election…At times, it almost seemed like a presidential reset, six days after special counsel Robert Mueller concluded his investigation into Russian election meddling without establishing any criminal conspiracy between Trump’s team and Moscow. And although Mueller did not exonerate Trump in an obstruction of justice probe, Attorney General Bill Barr has said he will not bring charges.”
–Gabby Orr, “Trump tests post-Mueller vengeance campaign,” Politico, March 28, 2019 10:28 pm