# Special Counsel Robert Mueller testifies before Congress **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 24, 2019, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542 "2019-07-24T12:33:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/41 "2019-07-24T14:16:28Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Of course, those same conservative news sources are probably only going to play footage that fits with their preordained narrative, so maybe nothing will change at all. > [@wguy123](#): > > Over on the Fox news website, the main headline is “Flustered Mueller asks for questions to be repeated, blanks on Fusion GPS in contentious hearing”. We know how the right will be painting this picture. I’m shocked – SHOCKED! – that conservatives aren’t going to hear these damning affirmations from the Mueller Report. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/42 "2019-07-24T14:16:43Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Getting these solid, short, factual sound bites straight from the horse’s mouth makes it more difficult for Trump, Fox&Friends, and Republican cronies to spin the false narratives they have about what the report did and didn’t conclude. > It shoots down all kinds of claims they’ve made over the past months. Yeah, but it only really shoots them down for people who see the “solid, short, factual sound bites,” and are willing to listen to them. As I suggested in my previous post, and as **wguy123** ’s most recent post shows, the people who get their news from FOX aren’t going to suddenly receive a new and more honest summary of the report just because Mueller has appeared in front of a congressional committee. ---
**Author:** ![Monocracy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monocracy/32/4493_2.png) [@Monocracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monocracy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/43 "2019-07-24T14:17:31Z")
A question I thought of while watching the questioning: Why doesn’t Mueller have someone beside him flipping to the appropriate parts of the Report, so Mueller doesn’t have to do it himself? He’s concentrating on finding the correct page and not listening to the Congressmen. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/44 "2019-07-24T14:21:02Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I’m pessimistic enough to believe that the next time she’s told about it, she still won’t have heard it before. > [@steronz](#): > > I’m shocked – SHOCKED! – that conservatives aren’t going to hear these damning affirmations from the Mueller Report. It will be hard to ignore [all of these](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EAPwpadXsAALUre.jpg), but I guess they’ll find a way. Probably by calling them fake librul media. > [@Monocracy](#): > > A question I thought of while watching the questioning: Why doesn’t Mueller have someone beside him flipping to the appropriate parts of the Report, so Mueller doesn’t have to do it himself? He’s concentrating on finding the correct page and not listening to the Congressmen. I like that he is taking his time and setting his own pace. Why should he hurry just because his questioners are in a hurry? Let the panel dance to his tune at his tempo. He’s not in a position to reveal much that’s new, so at least he can remain in control in this way. How would it look if he rushed and had his aide flip pages-- to me it would be like “yassuh, yassuh, I’m goin’ as fast as I can.” Screw that. Make them wait while he finds the place. The man has a hell of a lot of gravitas. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/45 "2019-07-24T14:25:30Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > It will be hard to ignore [all of these](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EAPwpadXsAALUre.jpg), but I guess they’ll find a way. Probably by calling them fake librul media. If they believe that Mueller is a compromised Trump-hating liar, then the contents of his report and/or his statements during this hearing won’t even matter. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/46 "2019-07-24T14:28:40Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > If they believe that Mueller is a compromised Trump-hating liar, then the contents of his report and/or his statements during this hearing won’t even matter. True, but that is the crowd that would still cheer him on during his hypothetical shooting of somebody in the middle of 5th Avenue. There is literally, at this point, NOTHING that would sway that group of Americans. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/47 "2019-07-24T14:31:00Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > If they believe that Mueller is a compromised Trump-hating liar, then the contents of his report and/or his statements during this hearing won’t even matter. > [@Kron](#): > > True, but that is the crowd that would still cheer him on during his hypothetical shooting of somebody in the middle of 5th Avenue. There is literally, at this point, NOTHING that would sway that group of Americans. Correct. They are not the audience for the report or for the hearing. They are lost. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/48 "2019-07-24T14:32:27Z")
I like these questions from Rep Jeffries, he’s trying real hard to get Mueller to put the pieces together in his own words. He’s going to run out of time though. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/49 "2019-07-24T14:32:29Z")
Paraphrased from my immediate memory: Cedric Richmond: “Is it accurate to say that the President tried to force McGahn to say something McGahn did not believe was true?” Mueller: “That is accurate”. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/50 "2019-07-24T14:34:32Z")
Gah, and then Mueller specifically says he doesn’t support that analysis. What a dick. ---
**Author:** ![Monocracy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monocracy/32/4493_2.png) [@Monocracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monocracy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/51 "2019-07-24T14:35:07Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > I like these questions from Rep Jeffries, he’s trying real hard to get Mueller to put the pieces together in his own words. He’s going to run out of time though. Me too, except for the part where he cut of Mueller. It was one of the only times so far Mueller started elaborating on his testimony. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/52 "2019-07-24T14:37:13Z")
Sara Huckabee tweets: > [@](#): > > What’s been clear to all but the liberal media is this was a partisan investigation run by Democrats out to destroy @realDonaldTrump with Mueller as the figurehead. Thank you House Democrats for calling today’s hearing and exposing the truth for all Americans to see ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/53 "2019-07-24T14:39:25Z")
Hakeem Jeffries is one of the next generation of Democratic House leaders, and if I had to guess the next Democratic speaker after Pelosi, I’d guess it will be him. ---
**Author:** ![Monocracy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monocracy/32/4493_2.png) [@Monocracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monocracy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/54 "2019-07-24T14:40:46Z")
The Republican before Democrat Cicilline (I didn’t catch his name) seemed to follow a line of questioning that hurt Trump, no? (IT was about the OLC decision not to indict a sitting President.) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/55 "2019-07-24T14:42:55Z")
From CNN live coverage: > [@](#): > > Robert Mueller is trying to be careful and keeping his answers as close to the report as possible, according to two sources who are close to him. > > Some of the questioners are using rapid-fire or long-winded questions to try to have him depart from the report’s language. > > Republicans in particular have used their time to try to impeach the witness. > > The Mueller style to try to keep it dry and not provide fodder for the ongoing political fights doesn’t do well in this kind of hearing. He won’t take anyone’s bait. Sound bites live forever. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/56 "2019-07-24T14:46:36Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > …and then it will go to the Senate and be defeated and thump can claim a WIN! He’s already gotten his win, and proclaimed it to the treetops. What was absent when the Mueller Report came out, that made it convincing in the public mind, was the absence of any pushback from the Dems. Trump and the GOP were claiming exoneration, and the Dems were kinda shrugging…Trump and the GOP won because they showed up and the Dems didn’t. With respect to public opinion, it’s as if there’s a bipartisan consensus that Trump hasn’t done anything all that bad, which is the worst place public opinion can be. The point of impeachment is that, no matter how the Senate vote comes down (spoiler: it won’t), the advocates of impeachment would make the case for impeachment with the nation watching: first in the Judiciary Committee, then on the floor of the House. (And then on the floor of the Senate, if there’s actually a trial, but McConnell may be evil but he’s not stupid: there won’t be one.) No matter what Trump claims then, he will look a lot worse then than he does now. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/57 "2019-07-24T14:48:08Z")
> [@Monocracy](#): > > The Republican before Democrat Cicilline (I didn’t catch his name) seemed to follow a line of questioning that hurt Trump, no? (IT was about the OLC decision not to indict a sitting President.) Yes. I think he was trying to say that it was improper for Mueller to say all of those bad things about Trump if he wasn’t going to indict him, but all he did was reiterate that Mueller said a bunch of bad things about Trump and then wasn’t able to indict him. Seems like a blunder. I liked Rep Cicilline’s questioning too, in the same vein as Rep Jeffries if maybe a bit sloppier. I think Ds need to continue to try and get Mueller to say in his own words that Trump committed obstruction. He probably won’t, but he does seem to be receptive now to agreeing with all of the elements. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/58 "2019-07-24T14:49:24Z")
Solid soundbite from a Republican questioner, no less: [https://twitter.com/joshscampbell/status/1154038990003036161](https://twitter.com/joshscampbell/status/1154038990003036161) Congressman: “Could you charge the President with a crime after he left office?” Mueller: “Yes.” Congressman (Buck, I think): “You could charge the President with obstruction of justice after he left office?” Mueller: “Yes.” ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/59 "2019-07-24T14:51:27Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > I gotta say, if the D strategy is really just to get sound bites of Mueller confirming parts of the report, this is going to be real disappointing for Democrats. IMHO. I don’t think it’s going to have the effect on public opinion any of you are suggesting. I agree that today’s hearing won’t move the needle much on public opinion. The time for that was back when the Mueller Report came out, before people had opinions about it in the first place. But it might get a few dozen Dem Congresscritters off the fence, by giving them enough backing to make them feel comfortable with actually, you know, taking a stand. (A scary thing for far too many Dems.) That’s about as much as I’m hoping for right now. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542/60 "2019-07-24T14:56:48Z")
Ted Lieu: “The reason you did not indict the sitting President was because of the OLC memo?” Mueller: “That is correct”. (from memory, just a few moments ago…) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542.md?page=4)