After almost two years, 500 witnesses called and at a cost of $25 million, the report by the United States Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 US election – and the possibility that Donald Trump and his team were involved – is now public.
With several pages and large chunks – about 10 per cent of the report – redacted, the 448-page document lays out in some detail the extent to which Russian agents worked to influence the US election.
Although Mr Mueller found no direct collusion, despite a number of contacts between members of Mr Trump's team and Russia, the report establishes that the president's campaign "expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts".
Among the revelations is the strong indication that Mr Mueller believes Mr Trump and his allies obstructed the investigation – despite the president celebrating the news by tweeting: "As I have been saying all along, NO COLLUSION - NO OBSTRUCTION!"
While the report doesn't directly point the finger at the president, it does say that were also unable to exonerate him.
"If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgment. The evidence we obtained about the President's actions and intent presents difficult issues that prevent us from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred."
Despite the president's claims about no obstruction, five Trump campaign officials have been found or pled guilty to lying to FBI investigators and another charged with lying to Congress.
Republican fundraiser and Trump associate Roger Stone has been arrested and faces similar charges of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements. Mr Stone's pending case is the reason some parts have been redacted.
The term used over the redactions, "harm to ongoing matter", has already become a joke on social media.
"Harm To Ongoing Matter" would be a good band name. OK, maybe not. But it would be a good *album* name with this cover art. pic.twitter.com/xfA0KhPsNt
— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) April 18, 2019
The report included colourful revelations, including that Mr Trump responded to the news that Mr Mueller had been tasked with the investigation by saying: "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency."
On at least 37 occasions Mr Trump replies "I do not recall" or "I do not remember" in his written answers to Mr Mueller's questions.
There were also plenty of side revelations about other White House officials that don't directly relate to obstruction or collusion flesh out the already colourful picture of the Trump administration, how it operates and what happens behind the closed doors.
The report reveals at least seven instances in which White House press secretary Sean Spicer and his successor Sarah Sanders lied to reporters – four within 24 hours after the president fired FBI Director James Comey on May 9, 2017.
One includes quotes from Ms Sanders – who remains the White House press secretary – to Mr Mueller’s team saying that remarks to the media that “rank and file FBI agents had lost confidence in Comey” were not founded on any information and simply made in the “heat of the moment.”
