Background: Mr. Smollett, who is black, gay and vocal on social issues, had told the police that two men had attacked him, taunting him with homophobic and racial slurs. The men later said they had been paid by Mr. Smollett to concoct the attack, according to the police.

Erasing lines drawn by Watergate

The end of the inquiry by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, made clear at least one thing: President Trump has successfully thrown out unwritten rules that have been in place since President Richard Nixon resigned, our chief White House correspondent writes in a news analysis.

The special counsel’s decision not to take a position on whether Mr. Trump obstructed justice means that future occupants of the White House could feel entitled to take similar actions, and it may be the Mueller report’s most enduring legacy.

The reaction: No collusion. Let’s party. Mr. Trump’s aides emerged from their emotional bunkers in celebration of what they said was total vindication.