Senate

GOP senator: Americans should remember Mueller from ‘his prime’

by Jordain Carney - 07/24/19 1:46 PM ET

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) on Wednesday characterized the House Judiciary Committee’s hearing with Robert Mueller as an “anti-climax,” adding that Americans should remember the former special counsel from his “prime.”

“I think Bob Mueller is a decent and honorable man and I hope the American people will remember him from the days when he was in his prime,” Kennedy told reporters.

{mosads}Mueller, who served as FBI director from 2001-2013, testified for three hours before the House Judiciary Committee, but offered few new details on his 22-month investigation into whether President Trump’s campaign conspired with Russia to interfere in the 2016 election or if Trump obstructed justice.

The former special counsel regularly asked lawmakers to repeat their questions and at times was reluctant to offer responses, sparking criticism of his performance.

David Axelrod, a former Obama aide who is now a CNN political commentator, said he had “deep respect” for Mueller but he “has not publicly testified before Congress in at least six years. And he does not appear as sharp as he was then.”

CNN estimated that Mueller declined to answer questions more than 100 times during his Judiciary Committee testimony.

Kennedy added that he didn’t think the House hearings were having the impact Democrats had hoped for.

“Number one, I don’t think the hearings are producing the desired effect. Number two, I say that because I don’t think this is exactly whipping the American people into a lather,” he added. “Number three, so far for me it’s just been one big anti-climax.”

When a reporter tried to follow up with questions about Mueller’s testimony, Kennedy added “that’s all I’ve got” and walked away.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also weighed in, sending out a string of tweets that were critical of Mueller’s appearance.

“Thus far Mueller completely contradicts what he told [Attorney General William] Barr about the reason not to proceed on the obstruction of justice,” Graham tweeted during the Judiciary Committee hearing.

He added, “Mueller hearing becoming very confusing and sad.”