US: Mueller resigns as office formally shuttered

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller announced the formal closure of his office Wednesday and said he is resigning from the Justice Department to return to private life.

The announcement follows the publication of most of his report summarizing his office's findings following a two-year investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and allegations President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with that effort.

In the lengthy 448-page report detailing his conclusions, Mueller pointed to 10 "episodes" that raised questions of obstruction, including the president's attempt to remove the special counsel from his post and attempts to curtail his investigation.

Mueller continued to cite Justice Department policy to not indict a sitting president, saying during brief remarks before reporters that "charging the president with a crime was therefore not an option we could consider".