He closed the book on this chapter saying his report speaks for itself. That he was not directed by Barr or Trump to not testify and that it is his decision alone.
He also rebuked a media theory that he was angry at Bill Barr. From The Hill: Special counsel Robert Mueller said Wednesday that he would not testify before Congress on his investigation into Russian interference.
“I hope and expect this to be the only time that I will speak to you about this matter,” Mueller said in remarks from the Justice Department. “I am making that decision myself — no one has told me whether I can or should testify or speak further about this matter.”
Mueller also said that any testimony he would give publicly “would not go beyond” what is already laid out in the public version of his 448-page report.
Wednesday’s comments marked Mueller’s first public statements on the investigation, which he concluded earlier this year.
“There has been discussion about an appearance before Congress. Any testimony from this office would not go beyond our report,” Mueller said. “It contains our findings, our analysis and our reasons for the decisions we made. We chose those words carefully and the work speaks for itself.”
“The report is my testimony.”
Mueller’s remarks are certain to disappoint lawmakers who have clamored for the special counsel to publicly testify on his investigation. Democrats, critical of Attorney General William Barr’s handling of Mueller’s conclusions, have pushed for the special counsel to answer questions about his investigation and Barr’s handling of his report.
The House Judiciary Committee has been negotiating with the Justice Department behind the scenes for weeks about his potential appearance, but the special counsel’s remarks Wednesday made clear that he is not interested in answering questions from lawmakers about his investigation or its conclusions.
“I do not believe it is appropriate for me to speak further about the investigation or to comment on the actions of the Justice Department or Congress,” Mueller said in his remarks, which lasted roughly 10 minutes. He declined to take any questions from reporters as he exited the press room.
House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.) and other Democrats have raised the possibility they could subpoena Mueller for his public testimony if he resists an appearance before Congress.
In a statement Wednesday, Nadler did not address Mueller’s remarks about congressional testimony. Nadler thanked the special counsel for his work and described it as paramount that Congress “respond to the crimes, lies and other wrongdoing of President Trump.”
Meanwhile, the committee’s top Republican, Rep. Doug Collins (Ga.), who has also welcomed Mueller’s testimony, said Mueller is “entitled to his life as a private citizen once again” and declared it “time to move on.”
