RALLY/RUSSIA INVESTIGATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “At his first political rally since the end of the Russia collusion probe, President Donald Trump on Thursday accused backers of the investigation of trying to overturn the 2016 election and attempting ‘illegally’ to claim power. Declaring the country ‘hurt’ by the probe, Trump called his opponents ‘losers’ and celebrated the fact the investigation had come to a close…On Sunday [3-24-19], U.S. Attorney General William Barr released a summary of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s more than 300-page report about his investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 election. The investigation did not establish that members of Trump’s campaign conspired with Russia during the election. The findings delighted the president and his inner circle, who spent the first two years of his administration confronting a cloud of suspicion over how the New York businessman and political novice won the White House. With that cloud largely lifted, Trump has let loose, calling out those who supported the investigation and referring to evil acts of treason by his opponents.”
–Jeff Mason, “At rally, Trump says Russia probe backers tried to steal power illegally,” Reuters, March 29, 2019 5:12 pm