Sen. Whitehouse: Obstruction of Justice Charges 'Will Likely' Follow

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse sent out a number of tweets on Monday explaining his thoughts on the importance of the indictments brought by special counsel Robert Mueller in the investigation into Russia's meddling in the U.S. presidential election.

False statement charges (present in this indictment) and obstruction of justice charges will likely figure prominently.

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) October 30, 2017

The Democratic senator from Rhode Island particularly focused on the importance of what he considers Muellers methodical, step-by-step approach.

Something to be said for cold, factual language of an indictment, asserting specific facts known & specific laws broken. Here's indictment. https://t.co/retXHcIOSf

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) October 30, 2017

An investigation like this has phases: 1st map out potential witnesses & targets; then subpoena records & understand $ flows within subjects

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) October 30, 2017

Next, identify who can be "flipped" to cooperate or who can be charged & then may cooperate; bring live witnesses & targets into grand jury;

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) October 30, 2017

which itself rattles cages and can provoke further cooperation. Evidence from all of this will then determine prosecution strategy.

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) October 30, 2017

For the final phase, to determine which main targets of the investigation can and should be charged, and with which offenses.

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) October 30, 2017

In addition, Whitehouse stressed that the indictments signify the conclusion of the first part of the probe.

This indictment may be beginning of the end for some ultimate targets, but for sure this is the end of the beginning phase of investigation.

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) October 30, 2017

The senator also criticized Fox News for what he considered its distorted coverage of the probe.

Meanwhile, the smoke machine starts working overtime.... https://t.co/QKv4XjmmeW

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) October 30, 2017

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