After three hours of Robert Mueller answering questions before the House Judiciary Committee, and another 3-hour questioning period upcoming before the Intelligence Committee, one thing has become clear so far: the hearing has been a disaster for Democrats, especially those clamoring for the impeachment of President Trump.
Under intense questioning from both Democrats and Republicans, Mueller often sounded shaky as he gave short, curt responses to lawmakers from both parties, declining to give extended answers and referring lawmakers back to his publicly released redacted report.
Democrats repeatedly pushed Mueller to say that President Trump is guilty of obstruction of justice for alleged attempts he made to fire the Special Counsel, but, while confirming the incidents, Mueller gave little more information, sending Democrats back to his written report time and time again. This visibly frustrated several Democrats on the panel who were hoping, perhaps even expecting, a Mueller appearance in which he would validate all their claims against the president.
On the other side of the aisle, Republicans incessantly hammered away at the credibility of Mueller’s report and the manner in which he conducted his investigation. As with questions coming from Democrats, Mueller declined to respond to most Republican lawmakers directly, instead telling them to read his report and declining comment on many questions. But Republicans managed to fire multiple shots at Mueller in which his credibility did seem to come under fair criticism.
What is most perplexing from the first hearing is how little time was spent on what Mueller’s testimony should have actually been about – Russian interference. Instead, Republicans and Democrats both decided to focus on advancing their own political agendas. It is possible, although not likely, that this will change in Mueller’s testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, but so far the hearing has been political spectacle more than anything else.
Stay tuned for further coverage.
The guy with the mustache behind Mueller on the right was the star of the testimony.
It’s actually painful to hear him. It sounds that he has a problem understanding basic questions and needs simple questions repeated. Either he can’t hear very well or he doesn’t really know to much as he seems to be relying on others way to much.
I don’t recommend listening while you drive. This can make you drowsy.
Seriously, I could hear him sweating.
He served in various capacities under a few US presidents. Strangely he had a hard time remembering which president appointed him for what. It seemed a little odd to me…
Sadly, he has seen better days.
Also, as several Republican radio commentators have said, he probably had little or nothing to do with the investigation. He’s a hands-off manager. He has his lieutenants doing all his work. So, they ask him questions. He said he doesn’t know or doesn’t remember. And it’s TRUE. He doesn’t. Because he wasnt involved.
He is purposely playing dumb and slow walking the investigation. they have time limits and he is running out the clock…
What he did should land him and his team in jail forever. trying for 2 years to dig up something on a duly Elected president and coming up with nothing.
then he writes volume 2 that “can’t prove” the president obstructed justice, and he adds in the famous words, but cant exonerate him… so why are you writing it? the law is “innocent until proven guilty”! people don’t need to be exonerated in this country.
All this time he destroys the lives of any trump friend he can get his hands on even thou they had nothing to do with Russian collusion.
bottom line, he has a team of advisers behind him. and the angle they are using is trying not to say anything. better for them that people say the old man is out of his league…
He only had problems hearing and understanding questions when Republicans were asking them…..I wonder why that was