MSNBC host presses GOP lawmaker on why he didn’t read Mueller report

Rep. Rob Woodall (R-Ga.) says he “trusted” Robert Mueller to do his job when pressed on why he didn’t read the special counsel’s full report.

On MSNBC Sunday night, host Kasie Hunt pushed Woodall on why he didn’t read the 448-page report, which summed up a nearly two-year-long investigation on Russian interference in the 2016 election.

{mosads}”I said when we started this conversation that I trusted Mr. Mueller — he took a lot of slings and arrows throughout this process, but every U.S. attorney I knew said this is a man of great integrity. He’s gonna lead this investigation.”

“So why not read the report?” Hunt asked.

“Well, I have a concern when you put the entire power of the United States Justice Department behind anything. You can achieve an agenda, you can drive a message.”

“So you think the Mueller report was just driving an agenda?” Hunt continued. “There’s nothing there that’s worth figuring out?”

Ultimately, Woodall said, “obstruction is not a political issue, it is a criminal issue,” adding that Congress isn’t obligated to review the report, which did not bring any charges against President Trump but did not exonerate him.

“The constituents I represent don’t want to see criminal activity at any place,” he said, “but they also don’t want to see folks grinding their political axes when there are important economic issues, family issues, education issues that need to be handled.”

“Folks are looking to turn that page,” Woodall added. “I know people are pouring through that Mueller report looking for something to talk about again tomorrow and next week and the month after that.”

Woodall said he “didn’t read the Bill Clinton report, either. I didn’t follow any of that salacious news.”

“You weren’t in Congress at the time,” Hunt responded.