Special counsel Robert Mueller is willing to comply with House Democrats’ request for testimony, but the Department of Justice is dragging its feet, The Daily Beast reported.
Sources familiar with the discussion told the Daily Beast that conversations about when a hearing might take place are ongoing. The DOJ reportedly hasn’t agreed to a date for the possible testimony given Mueller’s continued employment at the DOJ.
It is unclear if the testimony that Mueller is reportedly willing to give would be public or private, according to the Daily Beast.
Just after the redacted version of Mueller report was released House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) requested Mueller appear to testify before his committee by May 23. When it was reported on Tuesday evening that Mueller wrote Attorney General William Barr a letter and called him to complain about his initial summary of the contents of his report, Nadler released another statement, demanding both Mueller and Barr appear before the committee.
SO… now we know the recipe for running out the clock:
If Mueller is the person they say he is…he should quit now and petition to be heard.
I’m sure it’s not reluctance but rather just one of those things where you propose a date to someone who’s busy that day, and he or she suggests another one that isn’t good for you and so forth.
“Hello? Robert Mueller please…”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Mueller has stepped away from his desk. May I put you in his voicemail?”
“Yes, please.”
“I’m sorry, this mailbox is full. Please call back.”
Can Mueller testify before the Senate?
This is why the power to subpoena exists.