Robert Mueller, special counsel in charge of investigating President Trump's collusion with Russia during the 2016 presidential elections, will testify in front of the Congress this week. Democrats hope that the testimony brings out sufficient details to impeach the president.
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Rep Doug Collins, the top Republican on House Judiciary Committee, said the American public is growing weary of the Russia investigation three months after the release of the special counsel's 448-page report and that "any thought of impeachment is waning."
According to Collins, Republicans will focus on it being clear that the report represents a "final episode" in the Russia probe, which he described as flawed.
"Remember, the Mueller report is a one-sided report. It has not been questioned from the other side. This is our chance to do that," Collins said.
On Wednesday, both sides agreed that Mueller's testimony could be pivotal in shifting public opinion on the question of "holding the president accountable."
"This is a president who has violated the law 6 ways from Sunday," said New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, chairman of the Judiciary Committee. The Mueller report, according to Nadler has "very substantial evidence" that Trump is guilty of "high crimes and misdemeanors."
Most Americans haven't read Meuller's report of his investigation. And now he will have a chance to present these facts to the citizens.
As per Nadler, no president can be above the law. According to Collins, Republicans will focus on the origins of the Russia investigation, as well as evidence they see of potential bias in the FBI's handling of the probe.
Mueller's testimony may increase pressure on Nancy Pelosi and move undecided members of the Congress towards the impeachment camp.
Mueller is expected to be questioned by the The House Judiciary Committee and the House Intelligence Committee in separate hearings on the report. Democrats will likely focus on questioning on a series of meetings Trump had with former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski in which the Republican president directed Lewandowski to persuade then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to limit Mueller's investigation.
Mueller has spoken publicly about the report just once before this, on May 29 in a press conference that lasted nine-minutes. However, last time, Mueller did not provide any conclusion on whether Trump tried to obstruct the probe. However, it said that Trump could not be cleared of trying to obstruct investigation.
Mueller believed Trump couldn't be indicted in part because of a Justice Department opinion against prosecuting a sitting president.
Mueller has said he doesn't intend to speak beyond the findings of the report in congressional hearings. Democrats have been coordinating questions to ask the special counsel.
