The Democratic-led US House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler filed a petition in federal court Friday to obtain secret grand jury material underlying former special counsel Robert Mueller's report, arguing the panel needs the information as it weighs whether to pursue impeachment of President Donald Trump.
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A 53-page petition was filed by Democratic lawyers from the House of Representatives seeking permission to review evidence involving interactions between Trump campaign officials and Russian agents, and Trump’s alleged efforts to direct former White House Counsel Don McGahn to remove Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
A lawsuit is expected to be filed by the panel by next week to try and enforce a subpoena against former White House counsel Donald McGahn, a key Mueller witness, if he doesn't comply before them.
“To meaningfully consider whether to exercise this authority as well as to exercise its other pressing legislative and oversight responsibilities the Committee must obtain evidence and testimony in a timely manner,” the filing reads.
Mueller during his testimony at the Congress, had said that he had not “exculpated” Trump. It's unclear what new information might be found in the grand jury transcripts.
Nadler said Friday that Mueller’s testimony showed clearly that Trump “obstructed justice and abused his office.”
Many of the high-profile witnesses connected to the White House, appeared for voluntary questioning before Mueller's team rather than before the grand jury.
Trump said later Friday that “all they want to do is impede.” Democrats “want to investigate, they want to go fishing,” Trump said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was however was opposed to impeachment proceedings. “I’m not trying to run out the clock. We will proceed when we have what we need to proceed," she said.
