Robert Mueller refused to play the part. Not for Republicans and not for Democrats. In back-to-back hearings before the House Judiciary Committee and the House Intelligence Committee, the former special counsel in the investigation of Russian interference into the 2016 presidential elections largely honored his pledge to stick to his 448-page report. He often answered questions in a single word.
Mueller wouldn't be a mouthpiece
Mueller wouldn't even read from his own report. That made it challenging for Democrats who called him in hopes that the sheer force of hearing him say the words on television would be more powerful to many Americans than the written form. But Mueller demurred, and Democrats had to read his words for him. Similarly, Mueller wouldn't answer specifically when Republicans tried to question him about the Russia investigation and other issues.
Russian interference is still happening
Mueller was, for him anyway, far more expansive when he was asked about Russia's interference in U.S. elections. He also condemned Trump's praise of WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy group that released material stolen from Democratic groups, including Hillary Clinton's campaign. "Problematic is an understatement," he said. Mueller warned that what Russia did in 2016 was not a "single attempt." "They're doing it as we sit here," he told lawmakers.
Indicting Trump was never an option
During his testimony, Mueller made clear that his team never considered charging the president with a crime because of Justice Department guidelines. Mueller, speaking to the House Judiciary Committee, seemed to agree that he would have charged Trump with obstruction of justice had it not been for department guidance that a president cannot be indicted. Democrats seized on that answer, but Mueller then said, "That is not the correct way to say it."
"It is not a witch hunt"
Mueller swung back at the characterization made hundreds of times by Trump that the Russia investigation that shadowed his presidency was a "rigged witch hunt." "It is not a witch hunt," Mueller testified. Asked what he wanted the American public to take from his report, Mueller said: "We spent substantial time ensuring the integrity of the report." Mueller said his nearly two-year investigation was conducted in a "fair and independent manner."
Impeachment remains unlikely
Mueller's testimony likely did little to change many minds in Congress on impeachment. Mueller wouldn't take the bait as Democrats asked whether he meant for his report to serve as a referral to Congress to consider impeaching the president. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, asked about the report's referral to a "constitutional processes for addressing presidential misconduct." Mueller refused to answer when asked specifically whether one of those was impeachment.
