In part of a collection of opinions from academics on whether special counsel Robert Mueller's report made the case for presidential obstruction of justice or possibly even treason, one law professor made the case that President Donald Trump likely was aware of Russian interference but didn't - and likely still doesn't -- care.
In an interview with Vox, Georgetown University law professor Victoria Nourse used the Mueller report to make her case.
As she explained, "'Putin has won.' Election Day 2016, an intercepted message to Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian national 'closely connected to Putin.' (On page 149 of the Mueller report.) This line says everything that the American public should remember about the Mueller investigation. Russian interference in the election has been established beyond doubt. Worse, Mueller found that the Trump campaign 'expected to benefit' from criminal actions by Russians who successfully targeted the American election."
Conceding that "It is not a crime for any citizen to associate with criminals and spies," Nourse said there is a bigger issue.
"Viewing this case through the lens of criminal law is a mistake. Congress must determine whether there has been a constitutional offense," she explained. "We now know that, contrary to his oath to 'take care' that the laws be faithfully executed, the president tried to fire the special counsel, and he fired the head of the FBI, among other acts to thwart the investigation of criminal election interference by our enemies."
"These are not the acts of one faithful to the law. They are acts of one who would put his own election above the integrity of America’s democracy'" she concluded.
You can read more opinions here.