Democrats call for Mueller to testify before Congress

WASHINGTON, April 18 (KUNA) -- US Democratic leaders called Thursday on Special Counsel Robert Mueller to testify before the Congress, saying that Attorney General William Barr's handling of the Mueller report has caused "a crisis of confidence." In a joint statement, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that Barr's "regrettably partisan handling of the Mueller report, including his slanted March 24th summary letter, his irresponsible testimony before Congress last week, and his indefensible plan to spin the report in a press conference later this morning - hours before he allows the public or Congress to see it - have resulted in a crisis of confidence in his independence and impartiality." "We believe the only way to begin restoring public trust in the handling of the Special Counsel's investigation is for Special Counsel Mueller himself to provide public testimony in the House and Senate as soon as possible," they added.
Also House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler formally asked special counsel Robert Mueller to testify before his committee, where he tweeted "it is clear Congress and the American people must hear from Special Counsel Robert Mueller in person to better understand his findings.
We are now requesting Mueller to appear before the House Judiciary as soon as possible (but no later than May 23)." "We cannot take Attorney General Barr's word for it. We must read the full Mueller report, and the underlying evidence. This is about transparency and ensuring accountability," he stressed.
In addition, Nadler said during a press conference "even in its incomplete form -- the Mueller report outlines disturbing evidence that President Trump engaged in obstruction of justice and other misconduct." "The responsibility now falls to Congress to hold the president accountable for his actions," he stressed.
"Congress must get the full unredacted report along with the underlying evidence uncovered by Special Counsel Mueller. Congress requires this material in order to perform our Constitutionally mandated responsibilities." Barr was asked earlier today during a press conference if he will permit Mueller to testify publicly to Congress, where he responded "I have no objection to Bob Mueller personally testifying." Furthermore, Schumer and Pelosi said in separate identical tweets "as we continue to review the report, one thing is clear: Attorney General Barr presented a conclusion that the president did not obstruct justice while Mueller's report appears to undercut that finding." Meanwhile, counselor to the President, Kellyanne Conway said during a gaggle that today "really the best day since he (Trump) got elected" and reiterated "no collusion, and there was certainly no criminal conspiracy with any Russians.
She added "we're accepting apologies today, too, for anybody who feels the grace in offering them." When asked whether the White House would support Mueller testifying to Congress, Conway noted that Barr was "OK" with that.
She also stressed that it is "time to move on" and "the burden is increasingly on those who won't let go of this big lie." (pickup previous) si.gb