Chuck Todd slams reports that DOJ briefed Trump on Mueller findings: ‘This is actual collusion’

NBC host Chuck Todd said Wednesday that a New York Times report that the Justice Department has already briefed the White House about the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation was evidence of “actual collusion.”

“This is actual collusion,” Todd said on “Meet The Press.” “In case you’re wondering what does collusion look like, it looks like the attorney general’s lawyers briefing the president before Congress or the public.”

The New York Times reported Wednesday that White House lawyers and Justice Department officials have had “numerous conversations” about the details of Mueller’s findings.{mosads}

The discussions have allowed Trump’s legal team to begin preparing a rebuttal to the report, which is expected to be more than 400 pages, the Times noted. 

Todd went on to claim that impeachment proceedings would have started if a Democratic president had been involved in such discussions, pointing to Republicans’ response to former President Obama’s comments on the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s email server.

“Where are all of these House Republicans now that were so up in arms about the president talking about Hillary Clinton’s emails when what you have here, the attorney general briefing the president of the United States on a case that involves the president of the United States. What is the difference?” Todd asked. “Straight-up politics.”

Todd’s comments came as the public awaits the release of Mueller’s report on his investigation into Russian election interference and possible obstruction of justice by President Trump.

Mueller last month wrapped up his 22-month investigation into Russian election interference and whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Moscow in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election.

Attorney General William Barr said in a four-page summary of Mueller’s report that the special counsel did not uncover evidence to conclude that there was coordination. However, the summary noted that Mueller did not exonerate or implicate Trump on possible obstruction of justice. 

Barr is scheduled to hold a press conference Thursday morning to discuss Mueller’s investigation. The report itself is expected to be delivered to Congress after the press conference, though it is expected to be heavily redacted.