Negotiating Mueller testimony

Robert Mueller is balking at testifying publicly before Congress, pushing for a closed-door appearance in negotiations with House Democrats, according to three people familiar with the special counsel’s position.

Mueller has told the Democratic-controlled House Judiciary Committee that he doesn’t want to be dragged into a political fight and that he’s hesitant to publicly discuss his final report, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the continuing negotiations.

  Bloombrg

I wonder if he actually thought he wouldn't be dragged into a political fight by not making a recommendation on obstruction charges? He doesn't strike me as a stupid man.

Among the options Mueller has raised is making a public statement before the committee questions him in private, the people said.

[...]

"The American people have a right to hear what the man who did the investigation has to say and we now know we certainly can't rely on the attorney general who misrepresented his conclusions," [House Intel Committee Chair Adam] Schiff said on "This Week" Sunday. "So he is going to testify."

Schiff also defended potential contempt charges against members of the administration, which he acknowledged would lead to a battle in the court.

  ABC

.A Justice Department official said Mueller's team is "directly negotiating with the Hill."

While House Democrats aren't ruling out having closed-door testimony for portions of the report, they want to have Mueller answer at least some questions in a public setting.

[...]

Sources have said that Mueller is seeking guidance from DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel ahead of any planned testimony to advise on what he can and cannot say.

[...]

Attorney General William Barr has said he has no objections to Mueller testifying, even though President Donald Trump has said publicly in a tweet that "Bob Mueller should not testify."

One complicating factor in the negotiations, according to people familiar with the talks, is Mueller's unwillingness to enter the political fray over his findings.

[...]

In addition to the House Judiciary Committee, the House Intelligence Committee is also in talks with some officials at the Justice Department about Mueller appearing before the panel, which is also locked in a battle over access to the full Mueller report and underlying intelligence gathered in the probe.

  ABC

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.