Relations Between House Dems And Mueller Team Strained As Probes Collide

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 19:   Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller testifies during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee June 19, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Mueller confirmed that the FBI uses drones for domestic surveillance during the hearing on FBI oversight.  (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 19: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller testifies during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee June 19, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Mueller conf... WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 19: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller testifies during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee June 19, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Mueller confirmed that the FBI uses drones for domestic surveillance during the hearing on FBI oversight. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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As House Democrats gear up to launch investigations into President Donald Trump, they’re faced with a sticky situation: how to leave Special Counsel Robert Mueller alone to finish his work while appeasing the wings of the party that want Trump punished and even impeached.

According to a Monday Politico report, behind the scenes, communication between the Hill and special counsel’s office has been strained. Some Democrats are frustrated with Stephen Kelly, Mueller’s congressional liaison, feeling that he’s leaving lawmakers in the dark to prevent leaks.

Democratic leaders are also trying to temper desire within the base to see Trump impeached, fearing the political ramifications.

“Impeachment is like war, sexy for those who watch it from the sidelines and a sugar high for cable news hosts, but hemorrhaging for nearly everyone else and the country at large,” Julian Epstein, former counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during the Clinton impeachment fight, told Politico. “Keep in mind also that any impeachment effort would likely completely eclipse the Democratic policy agenda for at least a year.”

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