It’s Mueller Time.
After months of waiting, the day has finally arrived when Special Counsel Robert Mueller will testify before the House Judiciary Committee and the House Intelligence Committee regarding the Russian Election Interference and the Obstruction of Justice Report.
Mueller will first appear before the House Judiciary where the committee is expected to focus on Volume II of the report.
Volume II Executive Summary explains this volume deals with Obstruction of Justice pg. 3. (PDF pg. 215.)
Our obstruction -of-justice inquiry focused on a series of actions by the President that related to the Russian-interference investigations, including the President’s conduct towards the law enforcement officials overseeing the investigations and the witnesses to relevant events.
Mueller Report.
Conclusion of Volume II’s Executive Summary, which starts on pg. 8 (PDF pg. 220).
Because we determined not to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment, we did not draw ultimate conclusions about the President ‘s conduct. The evidence we obtained about the President’s actions and intent presents difficult issues that would need to be resolved if we were making a traditional prosecutorial judgment. At the same time, if we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, we are unable to reach that judgment. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.
Mueller Report.
The House Intelligence hearing which starts shortly after Mueller finishes with the Judiciary Committee, they are expected to focus on Volume I of the Report, which details Russian Election Interference, hacking of the DNC server and Russian contacts with the Trump campaign.
From Volume I pg. 1-2 PDF pg. 9-10.
As set forth in detail in this report, the Special Counsel’s investigation established that Russia interfere~ in the 2016 presidential election principally through two operations. First, a Russian entity carried out a social media campaign that favored presidential candidate Donald J. Trump and disparaged presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Second, a Russian intelligence service conducted computer-intrusion operations against entities, employees, and volunteers working on the Clinton Campaign and then released stolen documents. The investigation also identified numerous links between the Russian government and the Trump Campaign. Although the investigation established that the Russian government perceived it would benefit from a Trump presidency and worked to secure that outcome, and that the Campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts, the investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.
Mueller Report.
On Tuesday it was reported that Aaron Zebley, a top aide on Mueller’s team would testify.
Later on Tuesday it was reported that Zebley would be present but would not be sworn in to offer testimony.
NBC News reported late Tuesday that Zebley would sit alongside Mueller during the Judiciary hearing as Mueller’s Counsel, according to the Judiciary Committee Spokesperson.
They go on to explain that according to a House Intelligence Committee aide, that Zebley would be sworn in for the second hearing of the day.
Jim Popkin, a Mueller spokesperson disputed the idea that Zebley’s appearance was a last minute add saying, “Aaron Zebley was the Deputy Special Counsel and had day-to-day oversight of the investigations conducted by the Office. He will accompany Special Counsel Mueller to the Wednesday hearings, as was discussed with the committees more than a week ago.”
BREAKING: A House Intelligence Committee aide confirms to the Rachel Maddow Show that Aaron Zebley will be sworn in and will answer questions along with Robert Mueller in the afternoon session with the House Intel Committee. pic.twitter.com/BAYQQwVMlI
— Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) July 24, 2019
Ahead of the hearings featuring Mueller and maybe Zebley, the President went to Twitter to blast the decision calling Zebley, a Never Trumper.
Just got back only to hear of a last minute change allowing a Never Trumper attorney to help Robert Mueller with his testimony before Congress tomorrow. What a disgrace to our system. Never heard of this before. VERY UNFAIR, SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. A rigged Witch Hunt!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2019
So Robert Mueller has now asked for his long time Never Trumper lawyer to sit beside him and help with answers. What’s this all about? His lawyer represented the “basement server guy” who got off free in the Crooked Hillary case. This should NOT be allowed. Rigged Witch Hunt!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 24, 2019
According to The Hill Zebley represented Justin Cooper the IT aide who helped Hillary Clinton set up a private email server.
Hearing 1 before the Judiciary Committee is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. et., 7:30 a.m. ct., 6:30 a.m. mt., and 5:30 a.m. pt.
Hearing 2 before the Intelligence Committee is scheduled to start at 12:00 p.m. et., 11:00 a.m. ct., 10:00 a.m. mt., and 9:00 a.m. pt.
Hearing 1 Live Feed.
Hearing 1 Live Feed 2 CBSN.
Hearing 2 Live Feed.
*Hearing 2 Live Feed 2.
*this feed may need replaced after Hearing 1 is over.
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