Mueller and House Democrats at impasse over how much of his testimony would be public

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post



Robert S. Mueller III and House Democrats have been unable to reach an agreement on how much of the special counel’s expected congressional testimony would be public, and how much would take place in private, according to people familiar with the matter.

The special counsel’s office has been quietly negotiating with the House Judiciary Committee, whose chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), has been eager to have Mueller testify as soon as possible.

Mueller, according to people familiar with the matter, would like for any discussions beyond the public contents of his report to be conducted in private. Democrats want to press Mueller in a nationally-televised hearing about a host of issues, including whether he thought President Trump could or should be charged with obstruction if he were not the president, and whether Mueller agreed with Attorney General William P. Barr’s handling of the investigation’s findings.

The attorney general released a lightly redacted version of Mueller’s 448-page report a month ago, and ever since Democrats have been pushing for Mueller to testify.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/mueller-and-house-democrats-at-impasse-over-how-much-of-his-testimony-would-be-public/2019/05/21/995d2a2e-7bdb-11e9-8bb7-0fc796cf2ec0_story.html

[machoneman]

1. Why? Oh, why?

Really, what is he afraid of?

Getting caught in Trump's cross-hairs, like he isn't already? He can refuse to answer any question he deems sacrosanct (grand jury) so what's the issue?

Pension? Trump lawsuit against him? Barr has him arrested for God knows what?

[BumRushDaShow]

2. I think it's because some of the stuff is still actively being litigated like Roger Stone's crap

Stone's trial is scheduled for November (at this point) and he had direct involvement in Wikileaks/Assange stuff... where Assange is another whose involvement is probably redacted in that report too.

They really have pretty strong links to the scope of the investigation, which was "Russian collusion" and I wouldn't be surprised if Democrats want to highlight that type of stuff - especially because of Podesta's email being hacked by Fancy Bear and dumped by Assange under the direction of Stone.

[Honeycombe8]

8. Parts of it are secret...like Grand Jury testimony.

But it looks like Mueller is giving a blanket requirement that anything redacted won't be discussed in public. Which is an extreme position, IMO.

The obvious answer is to restrict closed sessions to Grand Jury testimony, ongoing litigation or prosecution, and such. But there are other things that can be discussed publicly.

[Mike Nelson]

3. It all needs to be...

… public. If he can't answer something, he should say so and explain. it's time to start throwing these reluctant witnesses in jail.

[Magoo48]

14. Yup,

all of the report was bought and paid for by we the people of the USA. It belongs to us in its entirety. We simply want what is ours.

[Raven123]

4. I have been reading the Mueller Report. Just getting into Part 2 (obstruction).

The report identifies a lot of case law. I would think that some of these Congress members would be able to to take the hints given and point out how the individual instances identified in the report exemplify the law.

I am not impressed by Nadler in this matter. Sometimes you have to have an alternative plan.

[LiberalLovinLug]

5. Its all about Ronnie's 11th commandment

The same commandment that compelled him to refuse to indict on obstruction. And deferred to who he knew would quash it.

Mueller is trying to walk a fine line. He wants his report, all that work he did, to be taken seriously. But he doesn't want to go down in history as the Republican that took down a Republican President. He's trying to get away with saying as little as possible to the public. I know many of us pinned our hopes on the guy, that he was one of the last of dying breed of, at least, morally upstanding Republicans that would put country ahead of party. But the fact he didn't indict even on obstruction should have given everyone a clue that Mueller is not our ally.

[lark]

6. Sad, seems he's a repug before he's an American.

Revolting! Such high hopes for justice are being destroyed by the man who seems to be putting party over principle. For shame Mr. Mueller, you are obviously not the hero you pretend to be.

[Honeycombe8]

7. It's important to the Committee because after a closed Q&A session,...

the reps will come out and represent what he said. The Democrats will represent that he said one thing, and the Republicans will say that he said something else. So the public will STILL not know.

[Pantagruel]

9. Go past Mueller

get his staff in there to testify if Mueller won't.

[Dave Starsky]

10. Didn't his staff write summaries that DIDN'T have privileged info?

Barr suppressed them entirely.

Just ask him what was in those. Hell, just ask him to read them out loud.

[DeminPennswoods]

11. Dems just need public testimony

I think there are questions they could ask that would inform Americans but not endanger any ongoing investigations or GJ testimony.

[stopdiggin]

12. doesn't want the political scrum

I think some of this (maybe a lot of this) is that Mueller doesn't WANT the political spotlight. His position is that the legislative branch is entitled to the information (or as much of it as is possible) .. and from there it's their ball to carry. But wall to wall TV coverage and political theater .. just not his shtick, and perhaps in his mind just not necessary. Whether, in the end, he gets his druthers on this (and other) points still remains to be seen. Mueller is hardly a neophyte in these waters. And it DOES seem like he was offended by Barr's attempt to bury the report. In the end I think he will end up doing what he thinks is required (from his position as Special Counsel). But I think the guy just doesn't want to see himself as a player in the political scrum. And, again .. quite possibly doesn't see it as the PROPER place for his position. "I do the investigation .. you do the prosecution .. or not."

[turbinetree]

13. Party or Country...........every special prosecutors in our modern times

has testified and didn't give shit.......................now all of a sudden there has to be private hearings..................fuck that shit, I and millions of other's paid for this investigation to find-out the truth......................end of story...............

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. "lightly redacted"?

[California_Republic]

16. Saw that. Wtf.