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Poll: 31% believe Trump is exonerated after Mueller report

Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Approximately 31% of Americans believe President Trump has been exonerated after the Mueller report came out, while 58% believe the president lied to the public, according to a new poll by the Washington Post and ABC News.

The backdrop: Trump's legal team characterized the Mueller report as a "total victory." However, the president has spent this past week addressing some of the report's claims, including that his staff does not fail to obey him. Prior to the Mueller report, 29% of Americans believed Trump had been cleared of wrongdoing.

By the numbers:

  • 47% believe Trump tried to interfere with the Russia investigation, resulting in obstruction of justice
  • 56% do not believe Congress should start impeachment proceedings
  • 51% believe the Mueller report was fair
  • 42% believe Russia interfered in the 2016 elections
  • 53% believe foreign interference threatens the 2020 elections
  • Go deeper: What the Mueller report tells us about Trump and Russia

Go deeper

Dan Primack, author of Pro Rata
40 mins ago - Economy & Business

Trump blocks banks from limiting loans to gun and oil companies

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Big banks are no longer allowed to reject business loan applicants because of the industry in which they operate, according to a new rule finalized on Thursday by the Trump administration.

Why it matters: Wall Street has curtailed its exposure to industries like guns, oil and private prisons, driven by both public and shareholder pressures. This new rule could reverse that trend.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Ursula Perano
1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Former FDA commissioner: "Reliable drug supply is absolutely critical"

Axios' Caitlin Owens and former FDA commissioner Mark McClellan. Photo courtesy of Axios Events

Having a reliable supply of pharmaceutical drugs throughout America will be "absolutely critical" to boosting affordability in health care during the Biden administration, former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Mark McClellan said at a virtual Axios Event on Friday.

The big picture: McClellan, who served under President George W. Bush, says drugs having limited supply and limited competition leads to elevated pricing. He considers drug supply to be a national security and public health issue.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Felix Salmon, author of Capital
3 hours ago - Economy & Business

Americans are still spending money

Source: Census Bureau; Chart: Axios Visuals

Americans spent more money at stores and restaurants in 2020 than they did in 2019 — even in the face of a devastating global pandemic that shut down broad sectors of the economy.

Why it matters: The monthly retail sales report this morning came in well below expectations, and showed consumer spending falling on a seasonally-adjusted basis. Total expenditures were still higher in December 2020 than they were a year previously, however.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow