The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.
© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Mueller's testimony poses risk for Trump, but also Democrats
By LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK WASHINGTON©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
67 Comments
CrazyJoe
That a sitting president cannot be indicted for crimes makes the United States no better than any other tin pot dictatorship in the world.
Strangerland
I don’t expect Mueller will say anything he hasn’t already said. I think the guy is a chess master. Before releasing that report he had already planned out what he would say upon release of the report, upon being pressed about the report, and what he would say to congress when they eventually called upon him to talk about the report. This was the inevitable outcome.
The Democrats have pinned their hopes upon him supporting their position multiple times, and it has not happened yet. It’s not going to happen again. He has been very clear - it is not his place to make a determination, that can only be made by congress. And he’s not congress. That’s his final assessment.
That said, this was the inevitable course of action. It still needs to be done for proprietary’s sake. When all this madness is done, America is going to need to do a serious reflection upon itself, and Mueller’s commentary on this matter needs to be recorded in order to be properly recorded for future dissemination. Recorded fact and detail are vaccines against fake news and misrepresentation. Mueller’s on the record comments are necessary, even though they are quite unlikely to lead to the end that many are hoping they will. After mueller has testified, Trump will again claim exoneration, the right will agree, the left will say no, the two sides of congress will follow party lines, and the numbers will remain mostly unchanged.
PTownsend
Fat chance. He'll be sitting with Little Stephen Miller, Jared, Ivanka etal taking notes, preparing to fire off tweets. His attacks will be aimed at women and those not from his demographic.
You're able to speak for Americans because...?
Opposition to the executive is fundamental to US political systems. Not quite like the Federal Russian Assembly where so many members owe their allegiance to Putin. Or the CCP with Xi. Why does the alt right keep pushing for authoritarianism?
Strangerland
I predict we’ll see the claiming that Mueller is both a saint and the devil between now and his testimony so they can say ‘see!’ Regardless of what Mueller says.
dmacleod
False.
False. Current investigations by Congress as well as 14 current investigations say otherwise.
False. The DOJ has never cleared the Trump campaign. However, William Barr has tried by putting out a series of false and misleading public statements about it. His blatant obstructionism is one of the reasons that Mueller has to testify before Congress this week.
That goes for those who publicly proclaim innocence before investigations have come to and end, and their conclusions have been made public.
Far from it. Until Congress gets to complete its Constitutional oversight role, this will continue to be an ongoing issue.
SuperLib
Should be fun to hear him lay out how Trump tried to get the WH lawyer to fire Mueller then lie about it
But don't worry, Trump fans. He's just there to present the evidence of Trump's corruption, not to pass judgement. And you can always tarnish his good name even if he does say something damning.
SuperLib
Oh, and as usual, I'll go on record as believing Mueller is a truthful and honest man, even if he says things I don't like to hear.
I like to tease Trump fans with that. For them there's a 50% chance Mueller is a despicable liar and a 50% chance he's a truthful and honorable man. They won't know what to say until after they hear him speak about The Dear Leader.
Strangerland
What are you talking about? Are you being purposefully disingenuous in spreading this falsehood or do you really not know that such a thing was never found by Mueller? Because it’s ignorance of reality - whether it’s in ignorance or willful is the only question here.
lincolnman
So what do you have to say about the other four examples?
lincolnman
Yes, tell us how you had sufficient evidence to indict but Donnie's bro and protector Bill Barr put loyalty to Trump ahead of loyalty to his country....
Nothing to say about the other four?
dmacleod
No, Barr just misrepresented what Mueller said, and the right-wingers and other supplicants decided to parrot what Barr said as somehow the actual truth (which Mueller has disputed). However, the actual truth will most likely come out later this week, and it won't be anything like what Barr initially said (which would then make Barr a liar and obstructionist--and this would probably open him up to obstruction of justice charges like another AG who tried to pull the same nonsense almost 35 years ago--look up John Dean if you need a reminder).
UknownPlayer
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/here-s-how-robert-mueller-s-testimony-congress-will-work-n1022236
No transcript(s) available means no factual record of the closed-door testimony by Weissmann and the key members connected to LAWFARE association. With this on purpose construct that was already predetermined beforehand, Nadler, Schiff, Pelosi and other key players can and will make any claim about the closed-door testimonies content, with no regards to the level of mendacity. No transcripts also means there will no factual method for rebuttal(s). Again this is design in advanced on purpose.
Bob was never the actual leader but some sort of figurehead who's only part of the organized soft-coup. This was already preplanned even Mueller came into the scene. Robert was picked for this role by the internal FBI as well as DOJ cabal who already started the investigation underway. The actual scheming is deployed by the members directly under Bob. While at the same time, Bob gets to play the role of willfully blind to the game plan. This again outline by design way earlier beforehand.
Bob never selected his members but instead the pre-existing members of the dirty, 'fast and loose' officials hand picked him.
Most, I would say 99% high probability, of people out there are not even aware of this game being played in Washington.
lincolnman
The only one who isn't saying anything is you and all the other Trumpers - what's the matter, can't explain these?
Please tell us the details of President Trump hand-dictating a memo for Don Jr that falsely states the meeting with Russian intel operatives at Trump Tower was about adoptions, when it was in fact about the Russians offering derogatory info on Sec Clinton...
Tell us all about the evidence of other potential criminal activity by President Trump and his family that falls outside your mandate that you have referred to other law enforcement and legal agencies...
Outline the details of Roger Stone's contacts with Julian Assange and Russian stolen e-mails...
Explain the negotiations that went on for Trump Tower Moscow even after President Trump said on multiple occasions that he had "no business in Russia"...
We're waiting....
dmacleod
Kindly explain to us how Mueller could have written about Barr's obstructionism in his report before Barr actually did the obstruction.
You cannot re-open a case that is still open. As I said before, there are now 14 separate investigations which are ongoing that were handed off to various federal prosecutors in several districts after Mueller submitted his report. Mueller did this because those cases were not in his original mandate but still were found to be worthy of further investigation due to their criminal liability.
Not at all. Given the mountain of evidence of criminal wrongdoing in both chapters of the report, Mueller will most likely tell Congress that it is up to them to do their Constitutional oversight jobs if they think that what he uncovered justifies impeachment or criminal proceedings (especially if Trump should lose re-election).
This is not about removing this President. It is about shining a hot spotlight on all of the criminal acts that he and his corrupt cabinet have done (many of which have resulted in resignations or are currently under criminal investigation). This is about putting on record those in the Senate who will willfully ignore evidence of wrongdoing in favor of putting their party over country--which is despicable. I'm pretty sure that Susan Collins and Cory Gardner do not want their vote to be put on public record on this, especially if there is a trial in the Senate.
This is the same weak-sauce argument that you made prior to the 2018 midterms. It is amazing the amnesia that most Republican and hardcore Trump supporters have after they get reminded of this but still cling to their illogical views. What is worse is that they then pivot to the "socialism" boogie-man argument that they hope will be a distraction to the blatant failures of this corrupt and criminal administration.
UknownPlayer
https://www.today.com/video/robert-mueller-to-testify-publicly-before-congress-62696005736
For Pelosi and the rest to control the risk, they deploy 1 round of q's only.
Effective trickster move by them. If you observe closely, the closed-door testimony ain't classified at all. This is an extraction method for Schiff, Nadler, and Pelosi to get the goods (the suspicion and innuendo) implanted onto their narrative.
There will be a discussion of the unredacted content which means the whole effort of investigative avenues. I am certain it will also include the perfidiously venal apocryphal trails where all politicians are free to discuss about all or any unsubstantiated content of the unclassified info.
dmacleod
You will never see Holder or Clinton locked up because they were never indicted or convicted of a crime (despite numerous Republican attempts). Contrast that to actual criminals in the Trump administration like Manafort, Cohen, George Papadopoulos, Rick Gates, and Michael Flynn just to name a few. There are also many others who could be indicted if Congress is actually allowed to do their investigations. You have zero legal and ethical legs to stand on here.
UknownPlayer
It appears Pelosi's gang has a strategy mapped out. In the big picture of the development of this plan is pretty clear but the details are perfunctory.
For the initial move is to frame the sequential, storylike appearance of Mueller. Schiff is taking care of the prearrangements by putting out a letter with threatening flavor of subpoena. But here is the key to this... there are ONLY 2 signatures on the letter. Only Schiff and Nadler signed it.
With this sketchiness, I will conclude that this letter for the subpoena (threatened) is just a prop for an already fixed, precontrived kabuki event with easily, high probable, predictable outcome.
How I would know for certain? Well why only Nadler and Schiff signed the subpoena letter. It means these 2 are absolutely scripting their own show to run without any equatability assembling of other ranking members.
To set the narrative's cornerstone (already predetermined), Nadler and Schiff is framing an optic for wanting Mueller's showing up presentation.
Secondly, also part of the scheme is the 'joint committee procedure'.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/25/politics/robert-mueller-will-testify/index.html
Schiff, Nadler and the rest of Pelosi cabal's already preplanned strategy is to have 40 members on both sides of the committees where there will deliberately only be 1 ROUND of inquiries. This is a key to their schemy blueprint in regards to the fix number of members. The size was actually already factored in as a devise to shelter and safeguard Mueller. Anyone out their who trail politics mindfully will tout de suite perceive Nadler, Schiff and the rest of Pelosi's faction ulterior motives.
UknownPlayer
It's easy to catch as to the fact that Nadler and Schiff was in an extensive discussions with Mueller prior to the threatened subpoena letter. Wide ranging exchanges between these trio were privately happening in order to quarterback/organize the appearance in Congress. The indications of a theatrical performance is being premeditated due to the committee size and the letter written for optics.
2 instant red flag indicators right there.
How do I know this. Well in this video, Schiff is being interviewed at CNN on the State Of The Union by Jake Tapper. The video is uploaded by Schiff himself in his Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y120T08Y-08
At about 5:38 min into the video, Schiff reveals the rundown of the extended engineering and
scrupulous organizing with Mueller for a composed and orchestrated appearance in July.
Nadler, Schiff, Pelosi, et al have to be extremely cautious with Mueller to prevent disclosing the systematized undertaking behind the 2-year Mueller, Rosentein, and Weissmann frame-up scenario.
Their motive is clear as a sunny day sky and blatantly damn obvious. Pelosi and the rest are strategizing this in hopes of weaponizing Robert's appearance for political edge attainment. The extra week or so delay as well as the several weeks before was spent for particularized strategizing as well as coaching sessions with the Lawfare cabal and of course Bob himself.
UknownPlayer
With high probability, here's what gonna happen. They will only chaperon Mueller in under VERY, VERY strict control; and most likely favor the already determined sized/number of member panel approach where scripted Robert's bosom buddies will be able to bookend Mueller at the time of/throughout the catechistic inquisition.
Without a shadow of doubt, Nadler, Schiff and Pelosi extremely unlikely would venture to exercise Mueller in the House panel hearing as a stand-alone witness. They would NOT dare to. Guaranteed! With the joint committee issues and the letter I've mentioned earlier above, I can guaran-damn-tee you'll see the cobble up of a ridiculous 'to the nth degree' manufactured theatrical episode (probably more boring than the Cohen debacle).
Schiff, Pelosi as well as Nadler composed all the rules so that only 1 hour of open hearing, 1 hour of closed door testimony, per committee? C’mon now! Those 3 intention is moronically transparent and blatantly obvious by safeguarding Bob from other members laser-targeted particular questions regarding Robert's 'gone to the dogs' investigation.
UknownPlayer
The conjunctional tissue between the “small cabal” inside the FBI (lead by Weissmann & Mueller), is the LAWFARE association.
Schiff hires former SDNY U.S. Attorney Daniel Goldman
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/adam-schiff-hires-a-former-prosecutor-to-lead-the-trump-investigation
While Nadler hires Barry Berke, a criminal defense attorney as well as Norm Eisen, an Obama Administration lawyer.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-12/trump-investigation-by-house-panel-gains-two-seasoned-lawyers
Only a tiny percentage of people understand LAWFARE association's role in the political weaponization as well as the corruption of the intelligence community, FBI and the DOJ.
UknownPlayer
Here is one good example in connection to the upcoming Bob's testimony where clear sketchy details leaked by staff members (part of the LAWFARE group) to one of the 'free-for-loss presstitutes yellowstream enemedia', NBC.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/here-s-how-robert-mueller-s-testimony-congress-will-work-n1022236
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/robert-mueller-testify-publicly-house-committees-july-17-n1021796
Looking closely at the structure where 2 open sessions with limited q's, and 1 only opportunity for q's by each member of the committee.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/schiff-congress-running-out-time-have-mueller-testify-n1020771
There is a closed session but no Bob present in it. This is where lies the heart of the real deal. The significant team members of the investigate unit and their leader Weissmann is where the corruption can be traced to. Bob is nothing but a figurehead. Weissmann is the point man where the closed-door session enables the Dems to take advantage and use his testimony instead.
ClippetyClop
It seems to be a pattern that is followed with the CIA / FBI / Wikileaks / media / random foreign despot. If they produce smiley-clappy hypernormalization back-slapping spin then they'll do for us, until they don't.
dmacleod
Mueller has already said it (and in writing). No waiting needed.
It's actually pretty easy to misrepresent what someone else said, and Barr did it right after Mueller's report came out. Evidently, you weren't aware of it. No matter. Mueller will be asked about it later this week. I'm looking forward to reading your spin on it since it will most likely not be anything close to reality, and you and others will continue to make fools of yourselves in your hyper-partisan and extremist defense. Have fun.
dmacleod
False. Mueller is no longer an employee at the DOJ, so no, he does not answer to Barr.
Nope. It was never Mueller's job to determine guilt or innocence. He was simply looking into possible wrongdoing according to his mandate. Guilt or innocence should be determined by Congress--not William Barr or the DOJ.
How do you know this? Have you spoken to any of the investigators or prosecutors involved in any of the 14 investigations? I'm guessing no.
Yes, keep telling yourself that, and then I'm sure that there will be a convenient conspiracy theory to back up your claims after things don't go your way.
Then you have nothing to worry about, right?
Irrelevant to this issue since Holder and Hillary have nothing to do with Mueller's testimony next week. Pathetic attempt at deflection.
No, she does not. She's already feeling the heat for her pro-Kavanaugh vote, so no, a vote to ignore Trumps' voluminous crimes in the Senate is not going to help her re-election campaign.
Ridiculous attempt at a counter-argument with absolutely no evidence to support your assertions. You're on a sinking ship--it's time to get off.
dmacleod
As I pointed out before, no, Barr cannot decide to "bury this," but keep on hoping.
Only in your mind. The two-year history of the Mueller investigation has already resulted in guilty pleas by several members of Trump's team plus 14 separate investigations from prosecutors from several other federal districts are still ongoing. We won't learn the results of those investigations until they have run their course.
Irrelevant to the issue of Mueller testifying this week. He won't be asked about socialism no matter how much you want it to be part of this issue.
dmacleod
And you know that because . . .
False documentation? Really? Have you seen it? Can you show how it was false? Can you be specific? I'm guessing that you cannot.
bass4funk
And you won’t see Trump locked up as well, my point Exactly.
Bingo.
SuperLib
DOJ policy is that sitting presidents don't get indicted. Barr offered nothing more than his unsolicited personal opinion. It's irrelevant to Congressional impeachment decisions
arrestpaul
Barr provided a 4 page assessment of his solicited opinion of Muellers 448 page report.
SuperLib
Great. His choice. And apparently Mueller had a conversation with him about it,
SuperLib
"The summary letter the Department sent to Congress and released to the public late in the afternoon of March 24 did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance of this Office's work and conclusions”
Mr. Mueller, can you expand on this letter, please?
bass4funk
Not punishing job creators, keeping the economy booming, keep full time and private sector jobs top priority show the benefits and rewards of Capitalism vs Socialism, show California and NYC and the decline and degradation and how these liberals states will put identity politics and environmental BS over the people and their pursuit to a better life and prosperity.
I want and agree with you for the record, he should explain and then open himself up like a pig being herded to the slaughter house, please Mueller talk.
Blacklabel
Barr didn’t prevent Mueller from putting anything he wanted in the actual report that we all got to read.
bass4funk
Ahhh...ok, income distribution, let’s give it a different name then. That’ll work.
Yes and Hillary will become the next President. ROFL!
bass4funk
Mueller works and answers to Barr. As he has said on numerous occasions, he said to Mueller if he felt that the President is guilty of obstruction, then why didn’t he put that in the report for recommendation? Either he is or he isn’t.
But at this point, it’s not going to go anywhere. There is no way they will indict and remove this President, moving on....
We have been hearing that...yaaaawn....excuse me, been hearing that for two years, now all of a sudden it’s going to be different? Sure...uh-huh.....
64% of Americans think it’s enough now, at this point it won’t make a difference, if you hate Trump, you’ll still hate him and never voted for him, if you love Trump, then it won’t matter a bean or difference on whatever they find, you will still vote for him. People are dug in and already made up their minds.
I understand, we felt the same a out Holder and Hillary, but alas...
Collins is running for re-election and she’s going to be challenged next year, so of course she wants it on public record.
Yes and look at California and New York how they’re policies have been absolutely atrocious, so I know if any of these fools gets in with the mandate they want, this country will never recover. Raise the hammer and sickle flag already.
bass4funk
Yes and look what’s it down to the middle class in California and NYC, it’s killing the middle class.
And Trump won’t lose either
bass4funk
Great! Now Barr can decide bury this thing once Mueller is done and he will be done, fork and all after he’s grilled by the Republicans, can’t wait.
2 year history and Democrat hysteria that has failed so far....
I really don’t need to, history is what matters, but it still will be amusing nonetheless.
I’m not a person that worries....ever.
That’s your opinion, I respect it, but we wanted to see them both locked up, but it never happened and the same won’t happen here.
Yes, that’s two for one, so she’s worried about Kavanaugh as well as her seat, I get it.
Socialism is very much so.
arrestpaul
I agree with your assessment of the situation, so far. Don't forget to add Comey "the leaker" to the list. He's the one who illegally gave DOJ documents to his reporter friend which were then made public. Comey chose not to investigate himself for his crimes.
bass4funk
No, but he won’t recommend charges either, by the end of the year, this hearing will be a memory.
But that as nothing to do with Trump, can’t wait to see Barr’s report on how corrupt the investigators were, should be interesting.
Not worried, the socialists will bring it up soon.
bass4funk
With the Marxists running, I seriously doubt it.
arrestpaul
LOL. If you're claiming it's going to be a "shock election" then it doesn't appear to be the know-in-your-heart-sure-thing you are hoping for.
Meanwhile, back at the ol' Mueller's testimony poses risk for Trump, but also Democrats thread, Mueller is gong to be repeatedly asked to explain when he first knew that the Hillary/Steele dossier was fake, and why he, and his Democrats, continued to use false documentation to persecute the man who beat Hillary. I wonder how much more time the Democrats will need to prep Mueller for his testimony?
Serrano
More for the Democrats.
Blacklabel
you mean you hope so? because he gets his chance to speak this week and that would appear to be the end.
bass4funk
When they see what was on stage a few weeks ago and they hear: higher taxes, higher premiums, regulations, free everything, open borders, free entitlements for illegals, unfettered abortion up to the last trimester, a ceiling on how much you can make, allowing illegals and felons to vote. The Dems don’t have a chance, not to mention, there isn’t a Democrat out there that can match any crowd size or enthusiasm that Trump brings and by the way, the squad isn’t helping the socialists either. But hey, I hope they keep it up.
bass4funk
Yeah, sure...lol...What are the Democrats policies by the way? I mean, besides more socialism?
lincolnman
Oh, this will be interesting....
Mr Mueller, please outline for us in detail the 10 separate instances of obstruction of justice you addressed in your report...
Please tell us the details of President Trump hand-dictating a memo for Don Jr that falsely states the meeting with Russian intel operatives at Trump Tower was about adoptions, when it was in fact about the Russians offering derogatory info on Sec Clinton...
Tell us all about the evidence of other potential criminal activity by President Trump and his family that falls outside your mandate that you have referred to other law enforcement and legal agencies...
Outline the details of Roger Stone's contacts with Julian Assange and Russian stolen e-mails...
Explain the negotiations that went on for Trump Tower Moscow even after President Trump said on multiple occasions that he had "no business in Russia"...
The Trump cesspool for all to see....
Blacklabel
Cant wait to hear your excuse when he doesn’t say this.
Blacklabel
Ok waiting for the words “Barr misrepresented what I said” to come from Mueller’s mouth this week.
Although it’s kinda hard because mueller wrote down what he “said”, I’m not sure how someone else can misrepresent something I can read myself. That’s why you write it down.
Wolfpack
Cleared of collusion. Can’t prove that Trump obstructed a crime that Mueller found did not occur. DOJ cleared Trump campaign. In America no one is above OR beneath the law. Innocent until proven guilty. Case closed.
If Dems keep it up then re-investigate Hillary and frog march her to prison.
Blacklabel
Yes I look forward to Mueller telling is all about each and every one of those 10. How he and his team hoped they could have been obstruction- but weren’t.
mueller: “Oh man, he actually could fire Comey! Darn it! “
Blacklabel
Mueller and his team got paid to answer these. If he doesn’t mention them this week, they didn’t matter.
cla68
Democrats will badger Mueller to say something negative about President Trump. Mueller will stick to the facts in the report. Americans will roll their eyes and change the channel.
Blacklabel
great, so I look forward to him clearly stating that when he testifies. Same with the can’t indict a sitting president narrative.
bass4funk
Mueller is described as a hostile witness, he needs to walk a very, very fine line, he needs to stick with questions only pertaining to his report, he goes off zone, then Republicans will chomp at the chum and there will be a feeding frenzy and he knows it because Mueller won’t be able to hide and deflect. One big question that will be asked is why did he staff his team with mostly Democrats and many of them Hillary supporters and one of those agents was Hillary’s lawyer during the Whitewater scandal. So this won’t be good for Mueller. Nadler is an idiot, he’s really now trying to dig his grave and further destroy the Democrats chances at taking the WH. But he wanted this spectacle...be careful what you wish for.
The Democrats are nuts if they think they can indict this President and he’ll be removed, it will never happen, that’s only a mirage in their heads.
Wolfpack
I’m looking forward to Mueller being grilled over his partisan legal team and his failure to pursue the rest of the Russian scandal. Hillary’s and the DNC’s payments to Putin’s (campaign finance violations???). His lead investigators animus towards the President and their insurance policy, CIA involvement in domestic spying by outsourcing to their fellow Hillary supporters in the FBI, and the involvement of a foreign spy (Christopher Steele) in an American presidential election. What about the fake dossier? Why was Mueller and their hand picked team of Dems and Hillary supporters uninterested in this garbage excuse to spy on American citizens through a processed created for fighting terrorism? Many questions that Mueller will be dodging on Wednesday.
Blacklabel
I am so glad that Mueller will have to testify so that liberals can stop telling me what he said that he didnt actually say. Speak clearly or be quiet, no more innuendo or speculation.
"Mueller, did you intend for Congress to continue your investigations, yes or no."
"Mueller, if not for the DOJ rule about sitting presidents, would you have indicted Trump, yes or no"
"Did you feel that Barr misrepresented your work, yes or no?"
If he doesnt say anything this week when asked these, thats the end of it. No more liberals telling me what his "intentions" were.
bass4funk
Nadler really is an idiot. He really got himself and the greedy Democrats in a political quagmire now. This should be good.
Blacklabel
Where Mueller will tell us all about how Barr obstructed his "actual" findings that he didnt bother to write in the report, correct?
bass4funk
But not enough to re-open the case or even to bring charges, at best, they’re all a shot in the dark at this point.
A bit weak. But what I do find great in all of this is that the Dems since January have been wasting their time in trying to net this President and they keep failing, they tried with Stormy and with Cohen and now with Mueller. Great move for the Trump camp and for the Republicans because now they can get to Mueller.
The Democrats will never, ever be able to remove this President it won’t happen, but for amusement purposes, it’s still interesting to watch.
I hope so and with the Dems wanting to implement more socialism makes it much easier for Trump to slide into his second term.