To the editor:

People across the political spectrum might conclude that the Mueller Report is not worth reading because (1) it is filled with incomprehensible legal jargon; (2) it is too expensive to purchase and too long to read; (3) the salient parts have been redacted; (4) the report “does not conclude that the President committed a crime.” I would like to respond to each of these claims.

1. Although there are thousands of legal citations and references, the text of the report is surprisingly readable.

2. Paperback versions of the complete report are available in many public libraries, and for less than $8 on Amazon. An eBook version is available for 99 cents, and an audiobook for free. The sense of the report can be gleaned from two executive summaries, one for each volume. Both can be listened to in 51 minutes and read in less time. (The quotations in this letter are from the second summary.)

3. Much of the evidence for obstruction of justice by the president has not been redacted. For instance, his attempt to fire Mueller when the president became aware that he was being investigated, and to limit Mueller’s investigation to future election interference, are amply documented. 

4. Although the report “does not conclude that the President committed a crime,” it also states, “if we had confidence that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state.” It defers to Congress: “The conclusion that Congress may apply the obstruction laws to the President’s corrupt exercise of the powers of office accords with our constitutional system of checks and balances and the principle that no person is above the law.”

To enable people to decide whether President Trump acted above the law is why the report is worth reading.

Tony Holtzman

Menlo Park, California, and Tupper Lake