Press Secretary Sarah Sanders responds to the end of the Special Counsel investigation

This morning, Special Counsel Robert Mueller announced the completion of his investigation with a short, prepared address from the Department of Justice headquarters.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders issued the following statement:


	“The Special Counsel has completed the investigation, closed his office, and has closed the case. Mr. Mueller explicitly said that he has nothing to add beyond the report, and therefore, does not plan to testify before Congress. The report was clear—there was no collusion, no conspiracy—and the Department of Justice confirmed there was no obstruction. Special Counsel Mueller also stated that Attorney General Barr acted in good faith in his handling of the report. After two years, the Special Counsel is moving on with his life, and everyone else should do the same.”

After a two-year, $35 million investigation that involved 500 witnesses, 500 search warrants, and 2,800 subpoenas, the Special Counsel’s office found no evidence that President Donald J. Trump, any member of his campaign team, or indeed any American citizen conspired with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election.

It’s time to move forward. Mueller announced that he will step down from his role at the Department of Justice now that his investigation is complete, and he concluded today’s remarks by calling on Americans to unite against a real threat: “multiple, systematic efforts” by a foreign government to interfere with our country.

“That allegation deserves the attention of every American,” he said.

From day one, President Trump has taken action to defend America from Russian meddling. The Trump Administration has maintained the closure of 2 Russian compounds—and the expulsion of 35 diplomats—in response to Russian interference in the 2016 election. Last April, the Administration also imposed sanctions against 7 Russian oligarchs, 12 companies they own or control, and 17 senior Russian officials to ensure the oligarchs who profit from Russia’s destabilizing activities face consequences.

“We have been far tougher on Russia than anybody—anybody,” the President says.

President Trump knows that a strong, united, and energy-independent America is the last thing Russia wants to see. An internally divided, dysfunctional Washington, on the other hand, would give Moscow the victory it craves. Which path will Congress choose?

President Trump has stood up to Russia since day one.

Vice President Pence: It’s time for Democrats to focus on the American people.

Protect the social safety net for American citizens

President Trump took an important action last week to protect America’s social safety net for those who need it most. In a new memorandum, the President is directing Federal agencies to fully enforce existing restrictions on the use—and misuse—of income-based welfare programs by non-citizens.

Vast numbers of non-citizens and their families take advantage of our welfare programs. Today, 78 percent of households headed by a non-citizen with no more than a high school education use at least one welfare program. And nearly 60 percent of all households headed by a non-citizen do so.

In 1996, President Bill Clinton signed legislation that required each sponsor of a non-citizen to reimburse the government for any income-based welfare benefits that the non-citizen receives. Since then, the law has been unevenly enforced, putting real strain on the financial support provided for struggling Americans.

With his latest action, President Trump has tasked agencies with issuing guidance to ensure these payments are recovered from sponsors going forward—just as the law says.

To protect benefits for citizens, immigrants must be financially self-sufficient.

In case you missed it: President Trump’s bold immigration plan for the 21st century