Mueller says it wouldn't be 'appropriate' to testify before Congress: 'The report is my testimony'

Robert Mueller.
(Image credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Wednesday said that he hopes not to testify before Congress.

Mueller spoke publicly on Wednesday for the first time in two years to announce his resignation as special counsel and discuss the findings of his investigation into 2016 election interference. Although Democrats have called for him to testify before Congress, Mueller said that "I hope and expect this to be the only time that I will speak to you in this manner."

Mueller went on to say that "no one" has told him whether he can or should testify, but he suggested his potential testimony would not yield any new information.

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"Any testimony from this office would not go beyond our report," Mueller said. "...The work speaks for itself, and the report is my testimony. I would not provide information beyond that which is already public in any appearance before Congress." He also said that "I do not believe it is appropriate for me to speak further about the investigation."

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) had previously indicated Democrats would subpoena Mueller for his testimony if necessary. Brendan Morrow

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.