Most Americans trust Mueller more than Trump, new poll finds
Most Americans think that special counsel Robert Mueller is far more credible than Donald Trump, according to the latest poll released, as the Russia investigation reportedly nears its conclusion.
A poll by The Washington Post-Schar School on Tuesday found that 56 per cent of Americans say they trust Mr Mueller’s version of the facts surrounding the Russia investigation more than Mr Trump’s. That is compared to just 33 per cent who say they trust the president's version.
But, while Mr Mueller is seen as more credible, the public is split along party lines on whether the special counsel has proven Mr Trump or his associates lied about contacts with Russians.
More than six in 10 Democrats say that Mr Mueller’s team has proven there were lies about those contacts, while more than seven in 10 say the team has not.
With the investigation nearing its two-year mark, Mr Mueller’s office has overseen charges filed against at least 34 individuals related to Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election.
Those charges have resulted in guilty pleas from some close advisers to Mr Trump, including former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, and Mr Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen.
Flynn and Cohen have both pleaded guilty to lying about the substance of conversations they had with Russians. Manafort has pleaded guilty to several federal crimes, and agreed to cooperate with the special counsel’s investigation.
Mr Mueller’s investigation has notably not brought criminal charges against members of the Trump campaign specifically for coordinating with Russia’s attempts to meddle in the 2016 election.
