Democrats grappled Monday with special counsel Robert Mueller's findings, holding strategy sessions as Republicans gleefully called for them to "move on."

President Donald Trump accused those responsible for launching Mueller's Russia probe of "treasonous things against our country" and said they "certainly will be looked into."

Trump also said the release of Mueller's full report "wouldn't bother me at all" as the Democrats clamored for the Justice Department to release the entire document and not just Sunday's four-page summary from Attorney General William Barr.

"I've said all along that we would accept whatever conclusions he reaches as a prosecutor, said Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

"I've also said that there is a big difference between whether there is evidence of collusion, and I think that evidence is in plain sight, and whether you can establish a proof beyond reasonable doubt of a criminal conspiracy."

Schiff said his committee's investigation has focused on counterintelligence issues and particularly whether the president or anyone around him is somehow compromised.

"That work has to go on," Schiff said.   

Republicans disagree.

"I don't see the Democrats getting over this right now because they wanted impeachment from the beginning," said Rep. Steve Scalise of Alabama.

"I think the Democrats have way overstepped and overplayed this," he said.

Washington, DC - 25 March 2019

+++AUDIO AND VIDEO AS INCOMING+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Adam Schiff, (D) California, Chairman House

"I've said all along that we would accept whatever conclusions he reaches as a prosecutor. I've also said that there is a big difference between whether there is evidence of collusion, and I think that evidence is in plain sight, and whether you can establish a proof beyond reasonable doubt of a criminal conspiracy. And I accept his conclusion that he could not. I do want to say with respect to the obstruction part, as well, that what troubles me the most about that is that you have an attorney general who applied for the job by talking down any potential obstruction conviction or indictment, who then went to a Senate confirmation,and refused to recuse himself. I don't think under those circumstances he should ever have been confirmed. But he has now done the job he applied for which is attempt to exonerate Mr. Trump, when Mr. Mueller said no exoneration was in order. That ought to deeply concern people; that someone was hand-picked for the purpose and executed that purpose. That does not I think tend to enhance the credibility of the Justice Department."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Adam Schiff, (D) California, Chairman House

Our investigation has always focused on counterintelligence issues; that is is the president or anyone around him compromised in some way. That work has to go on. We have yet to be briefed on the counterintelligence findings of Bob Mueller. That was not a part of his memo or report, and it was certainly not mentioned even at all by Attorney General Barr. As you know this began as a counterintelligence investigation, not only by the FBI, but by our committee as well. Those issues go to whether people are acting as an agent of a foreign power either wittingly or unwittingly. We need to look at for example the financial issues. Was the present driven during the campaign and to this day by financial interests in consummating a lucrative real estate deal, Moscow Trump Tower? Or for any other illicit purpose. That work has to go on and we're committed to doing our oversight until we get answers."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Adam Schiff, (D) California, Chairman House

"Right now, our focus is on figuring out when do we bring in Barr. Is it going to be necessary now to bring in Mueller or Wray (FBI Director Christopher Wray) or others? We're particularly interested in our committee on the counterintelligence findings. But that's our focus right now. We will use the Mueller Report and the underlying evidence when we obtain it to make decisions about the focus of our investigation. I'm circumspect about our ability on the two areas that Mueller looked at involving the Russians, that is the social media campaign as well as the hacking operation. I'm circumspect about how much more we can find than someone armed with the kind of resources Bob Mueller did. We're going to look and see what issues did he look at what issues did you not look at. In particular we have profound questions about whether he looked at any of the financial interests--issues and even if they didn't rise to the issue of a crime, it nonetheless could pose a grave to compromise our national security."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Adam Schiff, (D) California, Chairman House

"I certainly accept the finding that he could not establish proof beyond a reasonable doubt of a criminal conspiracy but if there are interactions between the president, his family, his campaign people and the Russians that are compromising, we are going to look to the Mueller Report to find out what he established. There are a lot of open questions. Why did the Russians offer dirt on Hillary Clinton? Why did the president's son say that he would love to have that help? Why did they set up a meeting at Trump Tower? Why did they keep it secret? Why did they lie about it? Why did the campaign chairman provide polling data for someone linked to Russian intelligence? Why did Roger Stone reach out to the GRU you through Gusifer 2? Why did the president ever reach out to Roger Stone? Well, these answers--these questions have not been answered by the summary we got from Bill Barr. I would hope that there are answers in the Mueller Report. Now those answers I would imagine don't amount to proof beyond a reasonable doubt of a crime but they are concerning nonetheless particularly as they shed light on whether there is any form of compromise of these individuals. So we're going to try to figure out answers. (Reporter) Republicans say you should step down. (Schiff) I'm more than used to attacks by my GOP colleagues and I would expect nothing less. (Reporters) Thank you. Appreciate it."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Steve Scalise, (R) Alabama

"I think the Democrats have way overstepped and overplayed this. They tried to mislead the American people to think the president was somehow going to be removed and was colluding with a foreign country, and it wasn't true. It didn't happen. Now, it's time for them to get over it, but they won't get over it. I don't see the Democrats getting over this right now because they wanted impeachment from the beginning. They wanted to overturn the results of the 2016 election. That was what a lot of this was rooted in. I think that's what angers the American people the most. We've got big problems we need to be focused on. And when Nancy Pelosi and her new majority ran, saying give us these gavels to be chairmen, they didn't do it under the guise of harassing the president and his family everyday. And yet that's all they continue to do, even after it's turned out there was no collusion."

6. Scalise walking down stairway

A group of conservative House lawmakers are calling for the appointment of a second special counsel to investigate whether misconduct took place in the FBI and the Justice Department.

The move follows a White House announcement that top FBI and Justice Department officials have agreed to meet with congressional leaders and "review" highly classified information the lawmakers have been seeking on the handling of the probe.

The agreement came after President Donald Trump made an extraordinary demand that the Justice Department investigate whether the FBI infiltrated his presidential campaign. It's unclear exactly what the members will be allowed to review or if the Justice Department will be providing any documents to Congress.

During a meeting Monday with Trump, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray also reiterated an announcement late Sunday that the Justice Department's inspector general will expand an existing investigation into the Russia probe by examining whether there was any improper politically motivated surveillance.

Rep. Devin Nunes, an ardent Trump supporter and head of the House Intelligence Committee, has been demanding information on an FBI source in the Russia investigation.

And Trump has taken up the cause as the White House tries to combat the threat posed by special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into potential ties between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Washington DC - 22 May 2018

1. Republican members of Congress walk into room

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Rep. Lee Zeldin, (R) New York:

"Good morning everybody and thank you for coming out. We have at least 19 members of Congress who will be introducing today a 12 page House resolution detailing misconduct at the highest levels of the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be outlining FISA (US Foreign Intelligence Survaillance Court) abuse. How and why the Hillary Clinton email probe ended and how and why the Trump-Russia probe began. This resolution also calls for the appointment of a second special counsel to investigate the gross misconduct with the understanding that the Justice Department cannot be expected to investigate itself. It's very important to note that the ranks of the DOJ and FBI are filled with amazing patriotic Americans who love their job, take their oath seriously and perform their jobs objectively with much respect for the rule of law. These are historic, legendary agencies that require transparency and accountability regarding the misconduct that took place. It is important for these exceptional public servants and these important agencies to continue their work moving forward stronger than ever before. As the resolution states, the concerns of the American people are serious and the issues requiring an immediate, unbiased, independent and thorough investigation are broad. In just the past few days, we learned that the DOJ, FBI or both appeared to have planted at least one person into Donald Trump's presidential campaign to infiltrate and surveil the campaign. This action alone reminds us of just how necessary this resolution is, as well as the appointment of a second special counsel."

3. Wide of news conference

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Rep. Lee Zeldin, (R) New York:

"In conclusion, I would just like to point out that while many in the media and American public have been trying to bring down the president without evidence the president Trump colluded with Russia to win the election. There is a ton of actual evidence of real misconduct that those same people had been attempting to completely sweep under the rug. I believe legal scales of justice, that no one is above the law. That includes anyone regardless of last name and that even includes people at the highest levels of the DOJ and FBI, especially when misconduct is committed in the performance of their duties while trying to take down elected officials and candidates. No official at the Justice Department can ever allow their own political bias to overwhelm their own objectivity and responsible performance of their duties. A second special counsel must be appointed and transparency and accountability is demanded for these great, legendary historic agencies. With that we are confident that these great agencies will be able to move forward stronger than they ever were before."

5. Wide of news conference

6. SOUNDBITE (English): Rep. Mark Meadows, (R) North Carolina/Freedom Caucus Chair:

"Even today, we continue to see leaks come out of the Department of Justice and FBI, spinning a narrative that quite frankly is not supported by the facts. So it's time that we get to the facts. It's time that we appoint a second special counsel."

7. Wide of news conference

Republicans accused U.S. law enforcement leaders Thursday of withholding important documents from them and demanded details about surveillance tactics during the Russia investigation in a contentious congressional hearing that capped days of mounting partisan complaints.

The hearing Thursday was Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's first appearance before Congress since an internal Justice Department report that criticized the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation and revealed disparaging text messages among FBI officials about President Donald Trump during the 2016 election.

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee suggested the department has conspired against Trump by refusing to turn over documents they believe would show improper conduct by the FBI.

They seized on the inspector general report to allege bias against the president by the FBI and to discredit an investigation into potential ties between Russia and the Trump campaign that is now led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

"This country is being hurt by it. We are being divided," Rep. Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican, said of the investigation. He later added: "Whatever you got, finish it the hell up because this country is being torn apart."

Thursday's hearing came as the House prepared to vote on a resolution that demands the department turn over thousands of documents by July 6 on FBI investigations into Clinton's private email use and Trump campaign ties to Russia.

Those documents have already been subpoenaed by the House Judiciary and intelligence committees, which want to use the records as part of multiple investigations the FBI's decision to clear Clinton in the email investigation and to open an investigation into potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Justice and FBI have already turned over more than 800,000 documents to congressional committees, but the subpoenas are asking for additional materials, including records about any surveillance of Trump campaign associates. Lawmakers have threatened to hold top Justice officials in contempt or impeach them if the documents aren't turned over.

Wray and Rosenstein said law enforcement officials have been working diligently to turn over the requested records, though Republicans made clear their dissatisfaction at the pace.

"We have caught you hiding information, Mr. Rosenstein," said Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. Rosenstein strongly denied the accusation.

Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis of Florida demanded to know why Rosenstein had not recused from oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether the president had committed obstruction of justice given Rosenstein's role in laying the groundwork for the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

Rosenstein wrote a memo last year criticizing Comey's handling of the Clinton email investigation, a document the White House initially held up as the rationale for his firing.

"I can assure you that if it were appropriate for me to recuse, I'd be more than happy to do so," Rosenstein said.

POOL

Washington - 28 June 2018

1. Various, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray walking into House Judiciary Committee hearing

2. Mid, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte opening hearing

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Trey Gowdy, R - South Carolina:

"Russia attacked this country, they should be the target but Russia isn't being hurt by this investigation right now. We are. This country is being hurt by we are being divided. We've seen the bias. We've seen the bias. We need to see the evidence. If you have evidence of wrongdoing by any member of the Trump campaign, present it to the damn grand jury. If you have evidence that this president acted inappropriately, present it to the American people. There there's an old saying that justice delayed is justice denied. I think right now, all of us are being denied. Whatever you got, finish it the hell up because this country is being torn apart."

4. Wide, side view

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jim Jordan, R - Ohio:

"Mr. Rosenstein, why are you keeping information from Congress? (Rosenstein: I'm not keeping any information from Congress that it's appropriate ...) In a few minutes, Mr. Rosenstein, I think the House of Representatives is going to say something different."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I don't agree with you Congressman. I don't believe that's what they're going to say and if they do they'll be mistaken."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jim Jordan, R - Ohio:

"I think in a few minutes the House of Representatives is going to go on record saying you haven't complied with requests from a separate and equal branch of government, that you haven't complied with subpoenas and you've got seven days to get your act together."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"Sir, I certainly hope that your colleagues are not under that impression. That is not accurate sir."

9. Side view of hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"If you're interested in the truth Mr. Jordan, the truth is we have a team of folks. They're Trump appointees and career folks and they're doing their best to produce these documents. Director Wray explained to you the process. He's got hundreds of people working around the clock trying to satisfy these requests. So, whether you vote or not is not going to affect it. You're going to get everything that's relevant that we can find to produce to you. I support this report sir. I'm not trying to hide anything from you."

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Ron DeSantis, R - Florida:

"You know, you talk about the Mueller investigation. It's really the Rosenstein investigation. You appointed Mueller, you're supervising Mueller, and supposedly about collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia and obstruction of justice. But you wrote the memo saying that Comey should be fired and you signed the FISA extension for Carter Page. So my question is to you seems like you should be recused from this more so than Jeff Sessions, just because you were involved in making decisions affecting both prongs of this investigation. Why haven't you done that?"

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"Congressman, I can assure you that were appropriate for me to recuse. I'd be more than happy to do so and let somebody else handle this. But it is my responsibility to do it."

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Shelia Jackson Lee, D - California:

"I'm almost believing that I've just attended or I'm in the midst of a monster ball and we're looking for monsters wherever we can find them."

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I've heard suggestions that we should just close the investigation. I think the best thing we can do is finish it appropriately and reach a conclusion. And I certainly agree with you sir that people should not jump to conclusions without seeing the evidence. I've been the victim of fake news attacks myself so I'm sympathetic. I agree with you sir that there's been no allegation made by the Department of Justice or the special counsel other than what's reflected in those documents that are filed publicly. The charged folks. Nobody should draw any conclusions beyond those charges."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Steven Cohen, D - Tennessee:

"Now President Trump talks about 13 Democrats running this investigation. Do you know who he's speaking about? And if there's any way that the Justice Department or President Trump knows if these people are Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Bolsheviks?"

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I think you need to ask him sir. I do not know. (Cohen: you don't know if they're Democrats?) I do not. I do not know their political registration, no sir."

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"(Cohen: Director Wray do you know any of these people's political registrations?) I'm not familiar with their political registration, no."

18. Side view of hearing

A group of conservative House lawmakers are calling for the appointment of a second special counsel to investigate whether misconduct took place in the FBI and the Justice Department.

The move follows a White House announcement that top FBI and Justice Department officials have agreed to meet with congressional leaders and "review" highly classified information the lawmakers have been seeking on the handling of the probe.

The agreement came after President Donald Trump made an extraordinary demand that the Justice Department investigate whether the FBI infiltrated his presidential campaign. It's unclear exactly what the members will be allowed to review or if the Justice Department will be providing any documents to Congress.

During a meeting Monday with Trump, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray also reiterated an announcement late Sunday that the Justice Department's inspector general will expand an existing investigation into the Russia probe by examining whether there was any improper politically motivated surveillance.

Rep. Devin Nunes, an ardent Trump supporter and head of the House Intelligence Committee, has been demanding information on an FBI source in the Russia investigation.

And Trump has taken up the cause as the White House tries to combat the threat posed by special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into potential ties between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Washington - 22 May 2018

1. Republican members of Congress walk into room

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Rep. Lee Zeldin, (R) New York:

"Good morning everybody and thank you for coming out. We have at least 19 members of Congress who will be introducing today a 12 page House resolution detailing misconduct at the highest levels of the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be outlining FISA (US Foreign Intelligence Survaillance Court) abuse. How and why the Hillary Clinton email probe ended and how and why the Trump-Russia probe began. This resolution also calls for the appointment of a second special counsel to investigate the gross misconduct with the understanding that the Justice Department cannot be expected to investigate itself. It's very important to note that the ranks of the DOJ and FBI are filled with amazing patriotic Americans who love their job, take their oath seriously and perform their jobs objectively with much respect for the rule of law. These are historic, legendary agencies that require transparency and accountability regarding the misconduct that took place. It is important for these exceptional public servants and these important agencies to continue their work moving forward stronger than ever before. As the resolution states, the concerns of the American people are serious and the issues requiring an immediate, unbiased, independent and thorough investigation are broad. In just the past few days, we learned that the DOJ, FBI or both appeared to have planted at least one person into Donald Trump's presidential campaign to infiltrate and surveil the campaign. This action alone reminds us of just how necessary this resolution is, as well as the appointment of a second special counsel."

3. Wide of news conference

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Rep. Lee Zeldin, (R) New York:

"In conclusion, I would just like to point out that while many in the media and American public have been trying to bring down the president without evidence the president Trump colluded with Russia to win the election. There is a ton of actual evidence of real misconduct that those same people had been attempting to completely sweep under the rug. I believe legal scales of justice, that no one is above the law. That includes anyone regardless of last name and that even includes people at the highest levels of the DOJ and FBI, especially when misconduct is committed in the performance of their duties while trying to take down elected officials and candidates. No official at the Justice Department can ever allow their own political bias to overwhelm their own objectivity and responsible performance of their duties. A second special counsel must be appointed and transparency and accountability is demanded for these great, legendary historic agencies. With that we are confident that these great agencies will be able to move forward stronger than they ever were before."

5. Wide of news conference

6. SOUNDBITE (English): Rep. Mark Meadows, (R) North Carolina/Freedom Caucus Chair:

"Even today, we continue to see leaks come out of the Department of Justice and FBI, spinning a narrative that quite frankly is not supported by the facts. So it's time that we get to the facts. It's time that we appoint a second special counsel."

7. Wide of news conference