Susan Ferrechio reports for the Washington Examiner on the potential impact of public testimony this week from special counsel Robert Mueller.
Congress last week voted to table articles of impeachment against Trump.
It’s the third time Democrats have brought an impeachment measure to the House floor. But 95 Democrats (40% of the caucus) voted in favor of it this time, a significant increase over the past two attempts, which earned 58 votes and 66 votes respectively.
It’s a sign that pressure is increasing on Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, and Mueller’s testimony could push more undecided lawmakers into the impeachment camp.
“How many will join us after Mueller testifies before Congress?” Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-California, queried last week on Twitter.
Mueller has spoken publicly about the report only once — in a nine-minute, impromptu press conference on May 29.
He said if called to testify before Congress he would “not provide information beyond that which is already public.”
But Democrats, who issued a subpoena for Mueller to appear, believe they can find out more about about obstruction.
They say Mueller, who did not draw an conclusion on whether Trump tried to obstruct the probe, nonetheless provided examples of obstruction in the report, including an instance where the president asked his then-counsel Don McGahn if he could fire Mueller.
“We are still doing what we wanted to do in the very beginning,” said Rep. Val Demings, D-Florida, who sits on the two committees that will query Mueller. “Which is make sure the public has all the information we can possibly have. And that we continue to lay out a case to begin impeachment proceedings.”
Mueller is scheduled to testify twice on Wednesday.
