Schiff wishes Mueller had testified in ‘more narrative fashion’ | TheHill – The Hill

Rep. Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffSchiff wishes Mueller had testified in ‘more narrative fashion’ Schiff: Mueller testimony about Russian interference was ‘chilling’ Mulvaney defends Trump’s ‘infested’ remarks in grilling from Chris Wallace MORE (D-Calif.) said Sunday he wished former special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) Swan MuellerTrump calls for probe of Obama book deal Democrats express private disappointment with Mueller testimony Kellyanne Conway: ‘I’d like to know’ if Mueller read his own report MORE had testified in a “more narrative fashion” during his appearances in the House last week.

“I wish that he had testified in more narrative fashion, that the words didn’t need to be coaxed from him as much as they did,” Schiff said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” 

At the same time, Schiff defended the decision for Democrats to bring Mueller to the House for two hearings, and he said some of Mueller’s testimony about Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election was “chilling.”

“It came alive more through very short  questions and very short answers rather than a great deal of description from the witness,” he said of Mueller. 

Mueller testified before the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees on Wednesday.

The former special counsel did not read from his report and often gave one-word answers. At times he also spoke haltingly, which led to some speculation about his health.

After the testimony, the White House and Republicans for the most part declared victory, arguing that there were no huge moments from Mueller that would move the House closer to impeaching President TrumpDonald John TrumpIlhan Omar defends Cummings after Trump attacks: He ‘wants to distract with his racism’ Donald Trump: ‘The Great Divider’ De Blasio: Democratic debates should address ‘why did we lose and what do we do differently’ MORE.

Schiff, however, argued that the testimony was helpful for Democrats and that it was still “very important to bring him in.”

He accused Attorney General William BarrWilliam Pelham BarrTrump campaign adviser praises Gabbard for suing Google over alleged censorship House panel seeks grand jury material underlying Mueller report Barr’s talking points on the death penalty are misleading MORE of misleading the public on what was included in the Mueller report, and cast the hearings as helping to correct the record,.

Barr issued a summary of the report before its release that said it had found no conspiracy. Democrats have criticized Barr for putting a spin on the report.

Schiff also said he wasn’t sure House Democrats could have done anything to get the report out sooner. 

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