BackRobert Mueller resists push to reveal more from Trump investigations
Muller spoke haltingly at times, asking members to repeat their questions, stumbling over his wordingRepublicans excoriated Mueller for his refusal to discuss early decisions in the Russia probe—which they say was tainted by anti-Trump bias before he took over
PremiumRobert Mueller made his reluctant, long-awaited appearance before Congress Wednesday, resisting pressure from Democrats who hoped he’d reveal additional information about his investigation of President Donald Trump.
“We decided we would not make a decision on whether the president committed a crime," Mueller said in his opening statement. Under questioning, though, Mueller acknowledged it’s possible Trump could be prosecuted for obstruction of justice once he leaves office.
Constrained by Justice Department guidelines and his determination not to go beyond the findings in his final report, Mueller’s impact was further undermined by his performance. The 74-year-old former FBI director spoke haltingly at times, asking members to repeat their questions, stumbling over his wording and having difficulty finding passages in his report.
Republicans excoriated Mueller for his refusal to discuss early decisions in the Russia probe—which they say was tainted by anti-Trump bias before he took over. And he said he wouldn’t address decisions made by Attorney General William Barr, who made his own finding that Trump didn’t obstruct justice.
“Any other person who acted this way would have been charged with crimes," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said of Trump in his opening statement. “And in this nation, not even the president is above the law. Director Mueller, we have a responsibility to address the evidence you have uncovered."
In response to Nadler’s questions, Mueller confirmed a number of facts—including that Trump refused his requests for an in-person interview and that he didn’t exonerate the president on obstruction of justice.
When Republican Ken Buck of Colorado asked if the president could be charged with obstruction after leaving office, Mueller said “yes."
Representative Doug Collins, the Judiciary panel’s top Republican, said in his opening statement that “Russia meddled in the 2016 election. The president did not conspire with Russians." On whether Trump obstructed Mueller’s probe, Collins said, “He did not shut down the investigation. The president knew he was innocent." Mueller didn’t defend himself or his investigation when Republican Representative John Ratcliffe tore into him as having violated “every principle and the most sacred traditions" of prosecutors by including in his report “potential crimes that were not charged."
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