Mueller says he won’t testify to Congress about the Russia investigation and it’s a new hurdle for Democrats seeking impeachment

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WASHINGTON - JUNE 25: FBI Director Robert Mueller speaks during a news conference at the FBI headquarters June 25, 2008 in Washington, DC. The news conference was to mark the 5th anniversary of Innocence Lost initiative. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)Alex Wong/Getty Images

  • Former FBI Director Robert Mueller said he would not provide Congress with any testimony extending beyond the findings relayed in the special counsel’s final report.
  • Mueller made the remarks in his only public statements during the entire timeline of the investigation.
  • House Democrats have been pushing for a public hearing for Mueller to testify and answer questions on the investigation.
  • Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.

WASHINGTON — Former FBI Director and special counsel chief Robert Mueller said he would not speak further about the findings of the Russian interference investigation other than what is in the final report made public several weeks ago.

House Democrats on multiple committees have been trying to bring Mueller in for a public testimony on the special counsel’s report, but have hit a roadblock with his Wednesday morning statement, in which he indicated there is nothing else to address.

Read more: Most Americans want Robert Mueller to testify before Congress — but it’s facing countless roadblocks

"I hope and expect this will be the only time I will speak to you in this manner," Mueller said in a media availability at the Department of Justice on Wednesday. "I will not provide information beyond what is already public."

Attorney General William Barr released a partially redacted version of the special counsel’s report, but Democrats have so far been displeased and demanded members be allowed to view the documents and underlying evidence in full.

The demands for the unredacted report have also led the House Judiciary Committee to subpoena Barr. When he declined, the committee voted to hold Barr in contempt of Congress, which could potentially include severe penalties such as large fines or jail time.

Mueller’s insistence there is nothing more to be said, either publicly or to Congress, creates yet another obstacle for Democrats looking to dig deeper into investigations that have become a central focus of their new House majority.

Read more: Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee voted to hold Attorney General Barr in contempt of Congress, one of the most severe congressional actions. Here’s what the historic move means.

There are still other areas for Democrats to explore, including hauling in key witnesses and figures named in the special counsel’s report, such as former White House counsel Don McGahn.
But under orders from the White House, McGahn has not testified either despite a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee, suggesting another contempt charge is on the horizon.

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Source: Business Insider – jperticone@businessinsider.com (Joe Perticone)

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