Democrats acknowledge questioning Mueller will not be easy
Mary Clare Jalonick And Lisa Mascaro - The Associated Press
9 hrs ago
© Carolyn Kaster, File In this May 29, 2019, file photo, special counsel
Robert Mueller speaks at the Department of Justice in Washington, about the
Russia investigation. To prepare for next week's high stakes hearing with
Mueller, some Democratic members and staff are watching old video of his
previous testimony. Others are closely re-reading Mueller's 448-page report.
And most of them are worrying about how they'll make the most their short
time in front of the stern, reticent former FBI director.
WASHINGTON - Some are watching old video of his previous testimony. Others
are closely re-reading his 448-page report. And almost all are worrying
about how theyll make the most of the short time theyll have for
questioning.
Robert Mueller, the Democrats know, will be tough to crack.
The stern, reticent former FBI director has said he wont answer questions
beyond what is in the report on Russias election meddling and the Trump
campaign and possible obstruction of justice when he comes to Congress on
July 17.
Mueller is expected to testify in front of the Judiciary and intelligence
committees for two hours each, with time split evenly between Republicans
and Democrats, though that timing is still a subject of negotiations. That
means Democrats will have to be efficient and targeted in their attempts to
extract information from the former special counsel and spotlight what they
say are his most damaging findings against President Donald Trump.
It will not be easy, said Rhode Island Rep. David Cicilline, a Democratic
member of the Judiciary Committee. He added: We just have to be very smart
about how we use the time and really give the special counsel the time to
tell the story.
Cicilline says hes reading the report a second time, thoroughly, with an
eye toward what he wants to ask.
Separately, a Democratic aide said staff members have been watching old
videos of Mueller testifying as FBI director during the administrations of
Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Theyre looking to see how hell
act, the aide said, and they have noticed he gives minimal commentary when
answering questions. The aide was not authorized to discuss internal
preparations for the hearing and requested anonymity.
Wary of their challenging witness, Democratic members of the Judiciary
Committee huddled Wednesday evening to discuss strategy for questioning
Mueller, along with other topics. Exactly how the hearing will be structured
is still being negotiated, members said as they emerged, but Democrats are
expected to divvy up the questions in a methodical way.
Among the topics up for discussion as the hearing approaches: Should they
work through the report step by step, or paint a general picture? Will every
member be able to speak in the short time they have? And what can they do to
best crystalize the findings of a report that they believe Americans havent
read or absorbed?
New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a member of the panel, said before the
meeting that he expects to discuss what the team strategy is going to be as
we begin an intensive phase of preparation.
Republicans seem to have given it less thought. Ohio Rep. Steve Chabot, a
senior GOP member of Judiciary, said he hasnt started preparing and expects
little news from the event. He said Democrats are just chasing their tails
and are aiming to placate base voters who want to see the Democratic House
majority take on the president.
Its possible a few people could change their opinion, but overall I think
its not likely, Chabot said.
The Judiciary Committee is expected to focus on the second half of Muellers
report, which details multiple episodes in which Trump attempted to
influence the investigation. Mueller said he couldnt exonerate the
president on obstruction of justice.
The Houses intelligence panel, which will go second, will focus on the
first half of the report, which details Russian interference in the
presidential election. Mueller said there wasnt enough evidence to
establish a conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign but detailed
several contacts between the two as well as the Trump campaigns willingness
to accept Russian help.
Under a deal struck with the committees, two of Muellers deputies James
Quarles and Aaron Zebley are expected to meet with the panels in separate
closed sessions after Muellers public hearing. But that might be in
jeopardy as the Justice Department has pushed back on the arrangement,
according to two people familiar with the negotiations. They requested
anonymity to discuss the private talks.
The chairman of the intelligence panel, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said
Tuesday said he wouldnt discuss the details of those negotiations, but that
the deputies have agreed to appear and I have no reason to believe that
will be unsuccessful.
One issue that Judiciary members are expected to focus on is whether Mueller
will state whether Trump would have been charged with a crime were he not
president. Jeffries said that answer could strike to the heart of why a
prosecution or recommendation to prosecute wasnt included in the report.
Mueller said at a May news conference that charging a president with a crime
was not an option because of longstanding Justice Department policy. But
Democrats want to know more about how he made that decision and when.
Its unclear if Mueller will go beyond his previous comments. Mueller, who
was reluctant to testify, has been firm that he will stick to whats already
in the report.
Some lawmakers say thats OK and just want to reach a broader audience of
Americans who they fear have tuned out.
This isnt a question of creating a narrative, said Florida Rep. Ted
Deutch, another Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. The narrative is
already out there. Its simply highlighting what is already there.
EM -> { Trump for 2020 }
On the 49th Parallel
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja and Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda is in
anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja na Dk. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda ni
katika machafuko"
_______________________________________________
Ugandanet mailing list
[email protected]
http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet
UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
All Archives can be found at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including
attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way.
---------------------------------------
