The Brian Lehrer Show Robert Mueller's Legacy
Mar 23, 2026
Andrew Weissmann, former federal prosecutor and NYU law professor who served as FBI general counsel under Robert Mueller, reflects on Mueller’s public service and leadership. He discusses criticisms of the Mueller report, what the investigation proved about Russia, and how legal standards shaped charging choices. Personal anecdotes illustrate Mueller’s principles and influence on DOJ culture.
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Mueller Chose Fairness Over Conclusive Judgment
- Andrew Weissmann argues Mueller prioritized fairness and DOJ rules over reaching prosecutorial conclusions in the report.
- Mueller avoided concluding on presidential obstruction because DOJ policy forbids indicting a sitting president, leaving that judgment to the attorney general.
Disagreement Was Procedural Not Personal
- Weissmann frames his disagreement with Mueller as good-faith differences about process, not principle.
- He acknowledges Mueller's superior experience and that decisions about reporting scope were ultimately Mueller's to make.
The Investigation Was Three Separate Legal Questions
- Weissmann breaks the investigation into three discrete questions: what Russia did, whether the Trump campaign coordinated, and whether Trump obstructed the probe.
- The report found Russian interference and campaign desire for help, but insufficient evidence of a criminal meeting of the minds on coordination.
