by Audrey Conklin
Democrats, journalists and celebrities responded to former special counsel Robert Mueller’s testimony Wednesday, with some noting he appeared to be “struggling,” “frail” and not “as sharp” as years past.
Mueller appeared before lawmakers on two House committees to testify about the report investigating potential Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. After the hearing began, however, viewers began questioning his performance, noting that he appeared confused.
“This is delicate to say, but Mueller, whom I deeply respect, has not publicly testified before Congress in at least six years. And he does not appear as sharp as he was then,” said CNN political commentator David Axelrod.
This is delicate to say, but Mueller, whom I deeply respect, has not publicly testified before Congress in at least six years. And he does not appear as sharp as he was then.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) July 24, 2019
Mueller repeatedly asked lawmakers to repeat themselves over the two rounds of questioning — 48 times.
“This is very, very painful,” Axelrod tweeted. “He has been an exemplary public servant…but he clearly was struggling today and that was painful.”
Not a commentary on the content. The report is damning. That was reenforced today. He has been an exemplary public servant, as people are both sides attested, but he clearly was struggling today and that was painful.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) July 24, 2019
House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat, said he didn’t know whether the testimony helped advance impeachment efforts.
“I don’t know. It’s hard. It’s hard,” he said, reported Melanie Zanona of Politico.
When asked whether Mueller‘s testimony has moved the ball on impeachment, House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings says:
“I don’t know, it’s hard,”
he says. “It’s hard.”— Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) July 24, 2019
Filmmaker Michael Moore called Mueller a “frail old man” and criticized Democrats who supported him.
A frail old man, unable to remember things, stumbling, refusing to answer basic questions…I said it in 2017 and Mueller confirmed it today — All you pundits and moderates and lame Dems who told the public to put their faith in the esteemed Robert Mueller — just STFU from now on
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) July 24, 2019
“Don’t have to watch much of this to realize why Mueller didn’t want to testify to Congress,” said Alex Wayne, an editor for Bloomberg.
Don't have to watch much of this to realize why Mueller didn't want to testify to Congress.
— Alex Wayne (@aawayne) July 24, 2019
MSNBC commentator Jeremy Bash hammered Mueller on live television for his performance, declaring he “kind of sucked the life out of the report.”
Jeremy Bash on Mueller: “Far from breathing life into the report, he kind of sucked the life out of the report. I thought he was boring. I thought in some cases, he was sort of evasive … He seemed lost at times.” pic.twitter.com/CdJaSdHeqd
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) July 24, 2019
No mincing words here: bad morning for pro-impeachment crowd. They needed a bravo testimony to sway public opinion (and Pelosi). That hasn’t happened, so far.
Many hours remain. Let’s see.— Paul Kane (@pkcapitol) July 24, 2019
“I don’t know what #Dems were expecting from #RobertMueller, but this probably isn’t it,” added Howard Fineman, an NBC News analyst.
I don’t know what the #Dems were expecting from #RobertMueller, but this probably isn’t it.
— howardfineman (@howardfineman) July 24, 2019
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Audrey Conklin is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
