Franklin Dean
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller is scheduled to testify publicly before two separate congressional panels on Wednesday, addressing questions for the first time about his investigation of President Donald Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election. Mueller is expected to give short answers, sticking to the contents of his final report and not offering new details. The hearing is anticipated to be contentious, with Democrats focusing on episodes outlined in the report where Trump sought to impede the investigation. Republicans, on the other hand, plan to leave the burden of proof to Democrats to show that the president's conduct was unlawful.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Testimony | July 17 |
| Day of Testimony | Wednesday |
| Time | Not mentioned |
| Person Testifying | Robert Mueller |
| Title | Former Special Counsel |
| Committees | House Judiciary Committee, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence |
| Committees' Chairs | Reps. Jerrold Nadler, Adam Schiff |
| Format | Open session |
| Topic | Russian interference in the 2016 election, Trump campaign's acceptance and use of that help, President Trump and his associates' obstruction of the investigation |
| Mueller's Statement | Mueller will submit the publicly released version of his report as his official statement and will also read a separate opening statement. He does not plan on offering new details. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Robert Mueller's testimony will address Russian interference in the 2016 election
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller is set to testify publicly before two separate congressional panels on Wednesday. The highly anticipated hearing will address Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and related matters.
Mueller's testimony will mark one of the most anticipated hearings on Capitol Hill in years. The former FBI director is expected to address questions related to his investigation of President Donald Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election. Mueller spent nearly two years leading the Russia investigation, examining Russia's attack on American democracy and the Trump campaign's acceptance and use of Russian help.
While Mueller initially resisted testifying, stating that his report should speak for itself, he was subpoenaed to appear before Congress. In his report, Mueller found that Russian operatives attempted to boost Trump's candidacy by spreading divisive disinformation on social media and releasing hacked Democratic Party emails at key moments. Additionally, the report revealed that Trump's team welcomed Russia's illegal assistance.
During his testimony, Mueller is expected to stick to the contents of his final report and provide short answers to questions. He has expressed his intention to limit his testimony to what is included in the report, refraining from discussing evidence or other investigative details. Mueller's appearance will provide an opportunity to educate the public about the actual contents of the report, which did not exonerate Trump regarding obstruction of justice.
The hearing is expected to be contentious, with Democrats focusing on episodes outlined in the report where Trump sought to impede the investigation. They aim to highlight these instances to the American public, utilizing Mueller's respected former prosecutor status. Republicans, on the other hand, plan to emphasize that Mueller's report did not conclude that Trump's conduct was unlawful.
Groomsmen: What's Their Role and Why It Matters
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mueller will appear before the House Intelligence Committee
Former FBI director Robert Mueller is scheduled to testify publicly before two separate congressional panels on Wednesday. Mueller will appear before the House Intelligence Committee, as well as the House Judiciary Committee.
Mueller is expected to address questions regarding his investigation of President Donald Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election. The Mueller report points to multiple potential incidents where witnesses lied or potentially lied to the Intelligence Committee, acts that could be considered obstruction. Mueller's testimony is also expected to cover the episodes outlined in his report where Trump sought to impede the investigation.
Mueller previously indicated his resistance to testifying, stating that his report "contains our findings and analysis, and the reasons for the decisions we made. We chose those words carefully, and the work speaks for itself". However, he was subpoenaed to appear before Congress, with the chairs of the committees, Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Adam Schiff, stating that "Americans have demanded to hear directly from the Special Counsel".
Mueller will give an opening statement during his appearance before the House Intelligence Committee, but he plans to stick to the contents of his report and is not expected to offer new details. He will have about two and a half hours with the committee, with all 22 members expected to get five minutes of questions.
Planning a Wedding: Estimating Guest Numbers
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mueller will stick to the contents of his report
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller is scheduled to testify publicly before two separate congressional panels on Wednesday. This testimony is one of the most anticipated hearings on Capitol Hill in years. Mueller will address questions about his investigation of President Donald Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Mueller has indicated that he will stick to the contents of his report. In his only public appearance during his tenure as Special Counsel before he resigned, Mueller said that if he were compelled to testify, his comments would not extend beyond the report. "The report is my testimony," he said. "I would not provide information beyond that which is already public in any appearance before Congress." In a similar vein, at a May news conference to announce that the special counsel's office was closing, Mueller said that he hoped his public remarks would be his last and that he would not stray beyond his report.
Mueller's spokesperson reiterated that Mueller intends to limit his testimony to what is in his report. He will submit the publicly released version of the document as his official statement for the record, though he will also read a separate opening statement. The Justice Department has instructed Mueller that he must limit his answers and comments to what is specifically laid out in the report. Mueller himself has made it clear that he was not eager to testify before Congress about his report.
Democrats, however, believe that Mueller's testimony will refocus attention on what his team's investigation uncovered. They intend to focus their questioning on the episodes outlined in the Mueller report in which Trump sought to impede the investigation. They also want to highlight the fact that Mueller's report points to multiple potential incidents where witnesses lied or potentially lied to the Intelligence Committee, acts that could be considered obstruction.
Fireworks at Will and Kate's Wedding Reception?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mueller's testimony is highly anticipated
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's testimony before Congress on Wednesday is highly anticipated. Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and the Trump campaign's acceptance and use of that help lasted two years, and his report, submitted in March, did not conclude that the President committed a crime. However, it also did not exonerate him, and Mueller himself stated that "a process other than the criminal justice system" would be required to formally accuse a sitting president of wrongdoing.
Mueller initially resisted calls to testify, stating that his report was his testimony and that he did not wish to speak further on the matter. However, he was subpoenaed to appear before Congress, and his testimony is expected to be limited to the contents of his report. Mueller is a respected former prosecutor, and his appearance will provide a public platform for the Democrats to highlight the contents of the report and refocus attention on its findings.
The hearing is expected to be contentious, with Republicans on the two committees planning to leave the burden of proof on the Democrats to prove that the President's conduct was unlawful. They believe that Mueller's report did not reach that conclusion, and they have criticised the hearing as a desperate public relations exercise. However, the Democrats intend to focus their questioning on the episodes outlined in the report in which Trump sought to impede the investigation, believing that the American public has not yet been fully exposed to them.
Mueller's testimony will be closely watched by lawmakers, and it could shape the future direction of the Judiciary and Intelligence committees' ongoing investigations into the Trump administration. It remains to be seen whether Mueller's appearance will provide the "fresh start" and "truth" that some lawmakers are seeking.
Royal Wedding: Meghan and Harry's Ceremony Time
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mueller's testimony may refocus attention on his team's findings
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller is set to testify publicly on Wednesday, marking one of the most anticipated hearings on Capitol Hill in years. Mueller, a former FBI director, is expected to address questions about his investigation into President Donald Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election. While Mueller has indicated his reluctance to testify and plans to stick to the contents of his report, his testimony is expected to refocus attention on his team's findings.
In his report, Mueller stated that there was insufficient evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy between Trump's campaign and Moscow. However, he found that Russian operatives attempted to boost Trump's candidacy through the spread of divisive disinformation on social media and the release of hacked Democratic Party emails at strategic moments. Notably, Mueller's report also revealed that Trump's team welcomed Russia's illegal assistance.
The report further stated that Trump's actions were "capable of exerting undue influence over law enforcement investigations" but did not conclude that the President committed a crime. Mueller asserted that a sitting president could not be indicted, leaving the decision to Congress. This aspect of Mueller's findings has sparked varying reactions, with Democrats believing that Trump's conduct amounted to obstruction of justice. They aim to highlight these episodes outlined in the report, where Trump allegedly sought to impede the investigation.
Mueller's testimony is expected to be closely monitored by the Department of Justice, which has instructed him to limit his answers to the contents of the report. Republicans on the committees plan to challenge Democrats to prove that the President's conduct was unlawful, arguing that Mueller's report did not reach that conclusion. The hearing is anticipated to be contentious, with lawmakers from both parties employing diverse political styles and platforms.
Following Mueller's testimony, lawmakers may shift their focus to members of his team and witnesses who can provide first-hand accounts of potential obstructive conduct by the President. This includes individuals like former White House counsel Donald McGahn and former White House communications adviser Hope Hicks, who have thus far been blocked by Trump's assertions of executive privilege.
Wedding Prep: Makeup or Hair First?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mueller will testify on July 17.
A specific time has not been mentioned, but it is scheduled for Wednesday.
Mueller is the former special counsel who led the Russia investigation.
Mueller's testimony will address questions about his investigation of President Donald Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election.
