WASHINGTON – Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III told Congress that his testimony will not deviate from the contents of his 448-page report on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election.
“As I said on May 29, the report is my testimony. And I will stay within that text,” Mueller told the House Judiciary Committee during a Wednesday hearing.
Mueller said he will respect a Justice Department decision with regard to “asserted privileges concerning investigative information and decisions” as they may relate to ongoing investigations.
Mueller said he will not answer questions related to the origins of the investigation and mentioned the controversial Steele dossier as a prohibited area of inquiry.
Mueller reiterated in his opening statement that his investigation did not find evidence of collusion between members of the Trump campaign and Russian officials. He reiterated that the report did not make a determination as to whether President Donald Trump had obstructed justice. Mueller suggested the determination could not be made because of a Justice Department policy that prohibits the indictment of sitting presidents.
Mueller did say that Trump could be charged after he leaves office.
Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) asked Mueller to confirm that his report contradicts Trump’s often touted assertion that the investigation exonerated him of any wrongdoing.
“Correct, that is not what the report says.”
Mueller released a redacted version of his report in April. The report is a product of a 22-month investigation that cost taxpayers an estimated $26 million.
Mueller’s testimony is compulsory. He was subpoenaed last month by two congressional committees.
Mueller is scheduled to testify before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence today at noon.
This article is republished with permission from TMN
Bryan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a life-long passion for politics at all levels. He has interned in the Maryland General Assembly and has volunteered for several congressional campaigns. Given this particular background, he has a unique insight into the dynamics of political analysis. When he is not writing, Bryan spends his time reading about history and frequenting Chinese restaurants.
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