Donald Trump threatens retaliation as Mueller concludes investigation

A second attempt by Democrats to release the Mueller report into Russian meddling in the US election has failed, as Donald Trump vowed revenge on those that pushed for the probe.

US Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has blocked a second attempt by Democrats to pass a measure to prod the Justice Department to release Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.

Earlier this month, the House of Representatives voted 420-0 in favour of making the report public, with no Republican opposition.

On Sunday, Attorney-General William Barr informed Congress that Mueller had concluded that President Donald Trump’s campaign did not collude with Russia to influence the outcome of the 2016 election.

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

“There is no good reason not to make the report public,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said.

McConnell, noting that it took nearly two years for Mueller to conduct his investigation, said, “It’s not unreasonable to give the special counsel and the Justice Department just a little time to complete their review in a professional and responsible manner.”

The legislation does not set a deadline for the release of the report, and merely expresses Congress’ desire that it should be made publicly available.

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It comes as President Trump is accusing those responsible for launching the special counsel investigation of “treason” and says they “will certainly be looked at.”

Mr Trump did not specify who he’s referring to, but told reporters on Monday: “There are a lot of people out there that have done some very, very evil things, very bad things. I would say treasonous things against our country.”

He added: “Those people will certainly be looked at” and added, “I’ve been looking at them for a long time.”

US President Donald Trump is determined to hold people that pushed for the Mueller report accountable. Picture: AFP

Asked about the possibility of issuing pardons, Mr Trump said I “haven’t thought about it.”

Speaking to reporters along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who was visiting the White House, Mr Trump said the release of Mueller’s report “wouldn’t bother me at all,” adding he’s glad Mr Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling is over and wishes it could have gone quicker.

“We can never let this happen to another president again,” he said.

When asked whether Mr Mueller had acted honourably, Mr Trump responded: “Yes, he did.”

The letter from Attorney-General William Barr to Congress on the conclusions reached by special counsel Robert Mueller in the Russia probe. Picture: AP

The official says the news from Mr Mueller’s team to Attorney-General William Barr and Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein was “unexpected.”

In releasing a summary of Mr Mueller’s findings on Sunday, Mr Barr said Mr Mueller had drawn no conclusion about whether Mr Trump obstructed justice.

Instead, his report laid out the evidence on both sides of the question.

Mr Barr told Congress that he and Mr Rosenstein decided there wasn’t enough evidence to prove Mr Trump had committed that crime.

US President Donald Trump took questions about the Mueller report at a press conference during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington. Picture: AFP

Meanwhile, a close ally said President felt a sense of relief after learning Mueller’s report had cleared him of conspiring with the Russian government.

South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham flew home from Florida with Mr Trump after spending the weekend awaiting Mr Mueller’s findings.

Graham said that on the flight home Mr Trump conveyed a “sense of relief” that there was now the “legitimacy” of his presidency where there had been questions before.

“We’re glad it’s over,” Mr Trump told reporters at the White House.

“It’s 100 per cent the way it should have been. I wish it could have gone a lot sooner, a lot quicker.”