Paging star witness Mr. Mueller

Dems put their House in order for blockbuster Hill testimony

WASHINGTON — In a long-anticipated appearance on Capitol

Hill, former special counsel Robert Mueller will testify in back-to-back House hearings Wednesday about the findings of his yearslong investigation into the Trump campaign and Russian meddling in the presidential election.

Democrats have demanded that Mueller, a former FBI director, appear before the House judiciary and intelligence panels ever since his 448page report was released April 18.

The Justice Department and Democrats have negotiated the parameters of the former special counsel’s testimony in the weeks since he was subpoenaed June 25.

Mueller’s testimony could lead to an impeachment inquiry even though he said he had found no evidence to support a prosecution of President Donald Trump on charges of criminally conspiring with Russia.

But Mueller emphatically said in the report that he could not exonerate the president on charges of obstruction of justice, and he documented instances in which Trump had tried to stop or impede the probe.

And he pointedly left it to Congress whether to pursue further inquiry and formal charges.

Democrats want Mueller to recite those details for the American public, vast numbers of which are expected to watch his testimony.

Expect the White House also to be watching.

“They have no collusion,” Trump said Tuesday at an event with conservative young people. “They did a report, and there was no obstruction.”

Trump is opposed to Mueller’s testimony and the hearings, which he calls “another bite” at the apple following two years of investigation that has cost more than $30 million.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said the goal of the hearing is to tell the Mueller story to the American people.

Democrats want to pin Mueller down on the 10 instances in which Trump sought to halt or influence the investigation, fearing that the probe would doom his nascent presidency. They have held mock sessions to target key testimony.

It is doubtful that the hearings will produce much news that could heavily sway public opinion, as Mueller has stated that he will not venture beyond what is in the report.

For that reason, many experts say they do not expect the House to initiate impeachment proceedings.

Contact Gary Martin at gmartin@ reviewjournal.com or202-662-7390. Follow @garymartindc on Twitter.