The White House is seeking to undercut the potential impact of Robert Mueller’s testimony to Congress on Wednesday, saying his appearance amounts to an “insult” to taxpayers and to democracy.
Presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway said Mueller had already made clear that he would offer no further evidence beyond his published report, and that taxpayers had already spent “$35 million or so, over two years and counting.”
She said: “Director Mueller himself has said that his report is his testimony. That ought to be respected and that ought to be accepted.”
Asking Mueller to testify when his report was public was a waste of time and money, she added.
[Also read: Pelosi may face new impeachment pressure with Mueller testimony]
“This idea that we need Bob Mueller to come to Congress to read from his report is an insult to the taxpayers, it’s an insult to Americans’ intelligence and it’s an insult to Director Mueller,” he said. “It’s an insult to democracy.”
President Trump was unconcerned about Mueller’s appearance before the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees to answer questions about Russian efforts to sway the 2016 election in favor of the Republican candidate.
“The president has zero concerns except that taxpayers are on the hook again for this fantasy that never came true … that there would be a criminal conspiracy and conclusion,” she said Monday.
While Mueller’s report did not find evidence of a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia to swing the election, it also concluded that Trump could not be cleared of trying to obstruct the probe.
Democrats hope their questions can unlock further damaging revelations about Trump’s efforts to limit the investigation. They will likely focus on 10 specific episodes detailed in the report, such as the time Trump is alleged to have directed Don McGahn, the then-White House counsel, to have Mueller removed. Mueller remained in his post.
