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We the People

The Constitution and the Mueller investigation

We the People

National Constitution Center

News, News Commentary, History

4.61.1K Ratings

🗓️ 14 December 2017

⏱️ 42 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In May, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. Since Mueller’s appointment, the probe has raised a number of constitutional questions, ranging from whether the president can legally fire Mueller and end the investigation to what remedies exist should Mueller find evidence of collusion. Specifically, the investigation has led to debates about the nature of potential obstruction of justice charges against a President; if a President can actually be charged with obstruction; and the role of Congress in the investigative process. National Constitution Center Jeffrey Rosen moderates a discussion about these issues two leading experts on these topics: Laura Donohue and Sai Prakash. Donohue is Professor of Law at Georgetown Law, Director of Georgetown’s Center on National Security and the Law, and Director of the Center on Privacy and Technology. Prakash is James Monroe Distinguished Professor of Law and Paul G. Mahoney Research Professor of Law at the University of Virginia Law School. Questions or comments? We would love to hear from you. Contact the We the People team at podcast@constitutioncenter.org

Transcript

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0:00.0

I'm Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, and welcome to We The People, a weekly show of constitutional debate.

0:17.1

The National Constitution Center is the only institution in America chartered by Congress

0:22.1

to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a

0:25.4

nonpartisan basis.

0:28.0

At the end of May, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenbergstein appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller

0:33.8

to investigate allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.

0:38.3

Since his appointment, the Mueller investigation has raised a series of constitutional questions,

0:44.2

including whether the president can be prosecuted for obstruction of justice.

0:49.9

Joining us to discuss these important questions are two of America's leading thinkers on

0:55.1

constitutional law and national security law.

0:58.1

Our returning champion Laura Donahue is professor of law at Georgetown Law School and director Georgetown's Center on National Security and

1:05.7

the Law.

1:06.7

She joined us for We The People Podcast with Alan Dershowitz on this subject a few months ago.

1:12.1

And Cypress is James Monroe, distinguished professor of law,

1:15.8

and Paul G Mahoney, research professor of law

1:18.4

at the University of Virginia Law School

1:21.0

and author of important books and articles about the presidency and the Constitution.

1:26.0

Laura, Cy, thank you so much for joining.

1:28.0

Thank you very much for having me back on.

1:30.0

It's nice to be back.

1:31.0

It's great to be back, Jeff.

1:33.0

Wonderful.

...

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