Robert Mueller has been given sweeping power to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, an acknowledgment of growing public demands to place the politically charged inquiry into the hands of an outside investigator with bipartisan respect.

Senate Democrats reacted with virtually unanimous applause Thursday morning.

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, Bob Mueller does have that," said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont.

The former FBI director has a broad mandate that could encompass any questionable actions of President Donald Trump's associates and possibly even the circumstances of last week's abrupt firing of James Comey.

As special counsel, Mueller will direct an FBI counterintelligence investigation examining whether Russia coordinated with Trump campaign associates to influence the election in his behalf.

He is entitled to a budget, can request new or additional staff and will have the same authority as high-ranking Justice Department lawyers, including the ability to prosecute any crimes he uncovers.

Washington, DC - 18 May 2017

+++SOUNDBITES ONLY, NO BROLL+++

+++SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Joe Manchin, (D) West Virginia

"It's the first time I have had my phone light up after six o'clock from my friends on both sides of the aisle, both impressed with the appointment. I think it shows we can rise above any cloud that's thrown on us in Washington."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Ron Wyden, (D) Oregon

"Bob Mueller and I have certainly had differences of opinion, particularly with my concern with the government's authority to do surveillance on law abiding Americans, but I do consider him to be a professional and an honorable man."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California

"He's a very good attorney. He's a very diligent person. He's a wonderful man, and I think he will be a superior independent counsel."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Pat Leahy, (D) Vermont

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, Bob Mueller does have that. I've known him for years. I worked with him both as chairman and as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. I think Bob Mueller is a good choice."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut

"I'm very confident that Bob Mueller will do the right thing, here, follow the evidence wherever it might lead. There is mounting evidence of obstruction of justice and impropriety, illegality that preceded this administration and may have continued while its in power."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, (D) Minnesota

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle. You've heard barely a complaint about his which is quite unique. I got to work with him some because he was in the middle of an investigation of terrorist recruitment of people in Minnesota who were trying to join al-Shabaab. I was really impressed with his work then, and I continue to be impressed by him."

+++ENDS ON A SOUNDBITE+++

Robert Mueller has been given sweeping power to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, an acknowledgment of growing public demands to place the politically charged inquiry into the hands of an outside investigator with bipartisan respect.

Senate Democrats reacted with virtually unanimous applause Thursday morning.

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, Bob Mueller does have that," said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont.

The former FBI director has a broad mandate that could encompass any questionable actions of President Donald Trump's associates and possibly even the circumstances of last week's abrupt firing of James Comey.

As special counsel, Mueller will direct an FBI counterintelligence investigation examining whether Russia coordinated with Trump campaign associates to influence the election in his behalf.

He is entitled to a budget, can request new or additional staff and will have the same authority as high-ranking Justice Department lawyers, including the ability to prosecute any crimes he uncovers.

Washington, DC - 18 May 2017

+++SOUNDBITES ONLY, NO BROLL+++

+++SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Joe Manchin, (D) West Virginia

"It's the first time I have had my phone light up after six o'clock from my friends on both sides of the aisle, both impressed with the appointment. I think it shows we can rise above any cloud that's thrown on us in Washington."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Ron Wyden, (D) Oregon

"Bob Mueller and I have certainly had differences of opinion, particularly with my concern with the government's authority to do surveillance on law abiding Americans, but I do consider him to be a professional and an honorable man."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California

"He's a very good attorney. He's a very diligent person. He's a wonderful man, and I think he will be a superior independent counsel."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Pat Leahy, (D) Vermont

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, Bob Mueller does have that. I've known him for years. I worked with him both as chairman and as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. I think Bob Mueller is a good choice."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut

"I'm very confident that Bob Mueller will do the right thing, here, follow the evidence wherever it might lead. There is mounting evidence of obstruction of justice and impropriety, illegality that preceded this administration and may have continued while its in power."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, (D) Minnesota

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle. You've heard barely a complaint about his which is quite unique. I got to work with him some because he was in the middle of an investigation of terrorist recruitment of people in Minnesota who were trying to join al-Shabaab. I was really impressed with his work then, and I continue to be impressed by him."

+++ENDS ON A SOUNDBITE+++

Robert Mueller has been given sweeping power to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential campaign, an acknowledgment of growing public demands to place the politically charged inquiry into the hands of an outside investigator with bipartisan respect.

Senate Democrats reacted with virtually unanimous applause Thursday morning.

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, I think Bob Mueller does have that," said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont.

The former FBI director has a broad mandate that could encompass any questionable actions of President Donald Trump's associates and possibly even the circumstances of last week's abrupt firing of James Comey.

As special counsel, Mueller will direct an FBI counterintelligence investigation examining whether Russia coordinated with Trump campaign associates to influence the election in his behalf.

He is entitled to a budget, can request new or additional staff and will have the same authority as high-ranking Justice Department lawyers, including the ability to prosecute any crimes he uncovers.

Washington, DC - 18 May 2017

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Joe Manchin, (D) West Virginia

"It's the first time I have had my phone light up last night right after six o'clock. My friends on both sides of the aisle were very impressed with this appointment. I think it basically shows we can rise above any cloud that's thrown on us in Washington."

++BLACK FRAMES++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Ron Wyden, (D) Oregon

"Bob Mueller and I have certainly had differences of opinion, particularly with my concern with the government's authority to do surveillance on law abiding Americans, but I do consider him to be a professional and an honorable man."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California

"He's a very good attorney. He's a very diligent person. He's a wonderful man, and I think he will be a superior independent counsel."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Pat Leahy, (D) Vermont

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, I think Bob Mueller does have that. I've known him for years. I worked with him both when I was chairman and as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. I think Bob Mueller is a good choice."

++BLACK FRAMES++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut

"I'm very confident that Bob Mueller will do the right thing here, follow the evidence wherever it might lead. There is mounting evidence of obstruction of justice and impropriety and illegality that preceded this administration and may have continued while it's in power."

++BLACK FRAMES++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, (D) Minnesota

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week-long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle. You've heard barely a complaint about him which is quite unique. I got to work with him some because he was in the middle of an investigation of terrorist recruitment in Minnesota of people who were trying to join al-Shabab. I was really impressed with his work then, and I continue to be impressed by him."

++ENDS ON A SOUNDBITE++

As Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein prepares for a face-to-face showdown Thursday with President Donald Trump, there are indications he won't be fired, but a voluntary resignation isn't out of the question.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, speaking to reporters during a media availability with other GOP leaders, said "we should let the president work it out with Rod Rosenstein."

Ryan said in the news conference that special counsel Robert Mueller should be free to complete his work and that he did not believe that he would be fired.

"I don't think he will be fired. I don't think the president's going to fire him. I don't like the president should fire him. Mueller, I'm talking about," said Ryan.

Rosenstein is Mueller's boss. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has recused himself from the Russia probe, to Trump's great frustration, and left the duties of overseeing the investigation to Rosenstein.

After Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, Rosenstein appointed Mueller as special counsel to take over the investigation.

Rosenstein is acting in Sessions' place to oversee the probe and has the power to fire Mueller - for cause - under Justice Department guidelines.

Rosenstein makes nearly all the pivotal decisions in the Mueller investigation, including signing off on indictments.

Drama swirls around the job security of Rod Rosenstein who was reported last week to have floated the idea of secretly recording the president last year and to have raised the idea of using the 25th Amendment to remove him from office.

He will meet with Trump at the White House, also on Thursday.

Speaker Ryan also voiced support of the Senate Judiciary Committee's handling of the confirmation process of President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Washington - 26 September 2018

1. Wide of GOP leaders walking into press availability

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Paul Ryan , Speaker of the House:

" First the president obviously should have political appointees that he has faith and confidence in. He's meeting with the president tomorrow. So I think we shouldn't step in in the way of that we should let the president work it out with Rod Rosenstein. I hope they have a good productive conversation. And I think that's that's helpful. I'll say it. I've said this all along. The special prosecutor - the special counsel excuse me should be free to complete his work. That goes without saying and it should be free to complete its work without any political interference. I don't think he will be fired. I don't think the president's going to fire him. I don't think the president should fire him. Mueller, I'm talking about. Yeah yeah. Sorry not Rosenstein, Mueller.

3. Wide of Rep. Paul Ryan and GOP leaders zoom

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

"Well I think that's that's what the hearing is about. First of all I think that Chuck Grassley has handled this professional way. I think it's important that both are heard the accuser and Judge Kavanaugh. I would say that the professional way that this had been treated by the Senate Judiciary Committee stands in stark contrast to the way the Senate Democrats have handled this, sitting on this for weeks. Dropping it after the hearings to try and implode this nomination. So I think it's fitting and proper that they hear from both sides this week and then I'll defer to the Senate on how and when to act. (Reporter: Do you think there should be a reopening-- Inaudible) No, I think they should do exactly what they're doing I think they're doing a good job."

5. Wide of Rep. Paul Ryan and GOP leaders zoom

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

" Look I will defer to the Judiciary Committee. I don't micromanage the committees around here. I'll defer to the Judiciary Committee as to what kind of hearings they want to have what kind of witnesses they want to have. But I would say this if you're going to stack the credibility of Rod Rosenstein against Andy McCabe who was fired for lying. I'll go with Rod Rosenstein. I'll leave it at that."

7. Wide of GOP leaders walking out of press availability

As Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein prepares for a face-to-face showdown Thursday with President Donald Trump, there are indications he won't be fired, but a voluntary resignation isn't out of the question.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, speaking to reporters during a media availability with other GOP leaders, said "we should let the president work it out with Rod Rosenstein."

Ryan said in the news conference that special counsel Robert Mueller should be free to complete his work and that he did not believe that he would be fired.

"I don't think he will be fired. I don't think the president's going to fire him. I don't like the president should fire him. Mueller, I'm talking about," said Ryan.

Rosenstein is Mueller's boss. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has recused himself from the Russia probe, to Trump's great frustration, and left the duties of overseeing the investigation to Rosenstein.

After Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, Rosenstein appointed Mueller as special counsel to take over the investigation.

Rosenstein is acting in Sessions' place to oversee the probe and has the power to fire Mueller - for cause - under Justice Department guidelines.

Rosenstein makes nearly all the pivotal decisions in the Mueller investigation, including signing off on indictments.

Drama swirls around the job security of Rod Rosenstein who was reported last week to have floated the idea of secretly recording the president last year and to have raised the idea of using the 25th Amendment to remove him from office.

He will meet with Trump at the White House, also on Thursday.

Speaker Ryan also voiced support of the Senate Judiciary Committee's handling of the confirmation process of President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Washington - 26 September 2018

1. Wide of GOP leaders walking into press availability

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Paul Ryan , Speaker of the House:

" First the president obviously should have political appointees that he has faith and confidence in. He's meeting with the president tomorrow. So I think we shouldn't step in in the way of that we should let the president work it out with Rod Rosenstein. I hope they have a good productive conversation. And I think that's that's helpful. I'll say it. I've said this all along. The special prosecutor - the special counsel excuse me should be free to complete his work. That goes without saying and it should be free to complete its work without any political interference. I don't think he will be fired. I don't think the president's going to fire him. I don't think the president should fire him. Mueller, I'm talking about. Yeah yeah. Sorry not Rosenstein, Mueller.

3. Wide of Rep. Paul Ryan and GOP leaders zoom

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

"Well I think that's that's what the hearing is about. First of all I think that Chuck Grassley has handled this professional way. I think it's important that both are heard the accuser and Judge Kavanaugh. I would say that the professional way that this had been treated by the Senate Judiciary Committee stands in stark contrast to the way the Senate Democrats have handled this, sitting on this for weeks. Dropping it after the hearings to try and implode this nomination. So I think it's fitting and proper that they hear from both sides this week and then I'll defer to the Senate on how and when to act. (Reporter: Do you think there should be a reopening-- Inaudible) No, I think they should do exactly what they're doing I think they're doing a good job."

5. Wide of Rep. Paul Ryan and GOP leaders zoom

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

" Look I will defer to the Judiciary Committee. I don't micromanage the committees around here. I'll defer to the Judiciary Committee as to what kind of hearings they want to have what kind of witnesses they want to have. But I would say this if you're going to stack the credibility of Rod Rosenstein against Andy McCabe who was fired for lying. I'll go with Rod Rosenstein. I'll leave it at that."

7. Wide of GOP leaders walking out of press availability

As Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein prepares for a face-to-face showdown Thursday with President Donald Trump, there are indications he won't be fired, but a voluntary resignation isn't out of the question.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, speaking to reporters during a media availability with other GOP leaders, said "we should let the president work it out with Rod Rosenstein."

Ryan said in the news conference that special counsel Robert Mueller should be free to complete his work and that he did not believe that he would be fired.

"I don't think he will be fired. I don't think the president's going to fire him. I don't like the president should fire him. Mueller, I'm talking about," said Ryan.

Rosenstein is Mueller's boss. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has recused himself from the Russia probe, to Trump's great frustration, and left the duties of overseeing the investigation to Rosenstein.

After Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, Rosenstein appointed Mueller as special counsel to take over the investigation.

Rosenstein is acting in Sessions' place to oversee the probe and has the power to fire Mueller - for cause - under Justice Department guidelines.

Rosenstein makes nearly all the pivotal decisions in the Mueller investigation, including signing off on indictments.

Drama swirls around the job security of Rod Rosenstein who was reported last week to have floated the idea of secretly recording the president last year and to have raised the idea of using the 25th Amendment to remove him from office.

He will meet with Trump at the White House, also on Thursday.

Speaker Ryan also voiced support of the Senate Judiciary Committee's handling of the confirmation process of President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Washington - 26 September 2018

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Paul Ryan , Speaker of the House:

" First the president obviously should have political appointees that he has faith and confidence in. He's meeting with the president tomorrow. So I think we shouldn't step in in the way of that we should let the president work it out with Rod Rosenstein. I hope they have a good productive conversation. And I think that's that's helpful. I'll say it. I've said this all along. The special prosecutor - the special counsel excuse me should be free to complete his work. That goes without saying and it should be free to complete its work without any political interference. I don't think he will be fired. I don't think the president's going to fire him. I don't think the president should fire him. Mueller, I'm talking about. Yeah yeah. Sorry not Rosenstein, Mueller."

Washington - 24 May 2018

2. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, departs the Capitol through a basement corridor (PARTIALLY COVERS PREVIOUS SOUNDBITE)

Washington - 28 July 2010

3.Robert Mueller testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington (PARTIALLY COVERS PREVIOUS SOUNDBITE)

Washington - 21 June 2017

4.Special Counsel Robert Mueller departs the Capitol (PARTIALLY COVERS PREVIOUS SOUNDBITE)

Washington - 26 September 2018

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

" Look I will defer to the Judiciary Committee. I don't micromanage the committees around here. I'll defer to the Judiciary Committee as to what kind of hearings they want to have what kind of witnesses they want to have. But I would say this if you're going to stack the credibility of Rod Rosenstein against Andy McCabe who was fired for lying. I'll go with Rod Rosenstein."

Washington - 6 September 2018

6. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh reacts as he testifies after questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee (PARTIALLY COVERS UPCOMING SOUNDBITE)

Washington - 26 September 2018

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

"Well I think that's that's what the hearing is about. First of all I think that Chuck Grassley has handled this professional way. I think it's important that both are heard the accuser and Judge Kavanaugh. I would say that the professional way that this had been treated by the Senate Judiciary Committee stands in stark contrast to the way the Senate Democrats have handled this, sitting on this for weeks. Dropping it after the hearings to try and implode this nomination. So I think it's fitting and proper that they hear from both sides this week and then I'll defer to the Senate on how and when to act. (Reporter: Do you think there should be a reopening-- Inaudible) No, I think they should do exactly what they're doing I think they're doing a good job."

House Democrats and Republicans battled over the recently released Justice Department's IG report on the FBI and the 2016 election during a Capitol Hill hearing Tuesday.

The report, authored by Michael Horowitz, blasted FBI actions during the 2016 investigation into whether Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate, had mishandled classified information on her private email server when she was secretary of state.

Republicans have become increasingly skeptical of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into potential coordination between Russia and Trump's Republican presidential campaign.

They've been saying they're not convinced by the report's conclusion that the decision to spare Clinton from criminal charges was free from bias, or by reassurances that the problems were limited to just a handful of employees

"There were FBI agents and attorneys who decided to prejudge the outcome of the Hillary Clinton case before the investigation ended. I want you let that sink in for a second," said Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina.

"The IG's report has spawned more questions and more theories about the FBI and DOJ's handling of the Clinton investigation," said Republican colleague Bob Goodlatte of Virginia.

"It confirms that Mrs Clinton did in fact receive special treatment from the Obama Justice Department and FBI during their investigation," Goodlatte said.

Democrats, however, battled back.

"Why is it that after you released this report, Mr. Horowitz, some of my colleagues seriously suggested that we opened an investigation into your investigation, of the investigation?" said Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler.

"The Republicans are now tripling down threatening to impeach Rod Rosenstein and Christopher Wray for somehow obstructing their efforts to get to the bottom of all of this," added Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland.   

Monday, Horowitz appeared with FBI Director Christoper Wray before a senate panel.

Wray said that the FBI is determined to not repeat any of the mistakes identified in the watchdog report.

Days earlier, President Donald Trump asserted the report exonerated him.

"There was no collusion.  There was no obstruction," the president told reporters. "And I think that the Mueller investigation has been totally discredited."

Although the report criticized former FBI Director James Comey for multiple decisions that investigators said broke from protocol. But the inspector general said it found no evidence that political bias affected the outcome of the investigation.

And the report focused only on the FBI's actions during the 2016 election, not the Mueller investigation.

POOL

Washington, DC - 19 June 2018

1. Wide of House lawmakers on dais at hearing

2. Mid of Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz at witness table

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

"There were FBI agents and attorneys who decided to prejudge the outcome of the Hillary Clinton case before the investigation ended. I want you let that sink in for a second. They prejudged the outcome of the Hillary Clinton investigation before the investigation ended, and these exact same FBI agents and attorneys prejudged the outcome of the Russian investigation before it even began."

4. Mid of lawmakers on dais

5. Mid of Horowitz at witness table

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerry Nadler, (D) New York

"Why is it that after the Department of Justice and the FBI concluded they should not charge Secretary Clinton with a crime, rather than accepting the conclusion as we would in most criminal cases, the judiciary and oversight majorities launched an investigation into the Department of Justice and the FBI? Why is it that after you released this report, Mr. Horowitz, some of my colleagues seriously suggested that we open an investigation into your investigation, of the investigation?"

7. Mid of lawmakers on dais

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Bob Goodlatte, (R) Virginia

"The IG's report has spawned more questions and more theories about the FBI and DOJ's handling of the Clinton investigation. It confirms that Mrs. Clinton did in fact receive special treatment from the Obama Justice Department and FBI during their investigation."

9. Mid of Horowitz at witness table

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Elijah Cummings, (D) Maryland:

"The Republicans point to some individual expressions of bias, and these are facts the inspector general already revealed. Instead the Republicans are now tripling down threatening to impeach Rod Rosenstein and Christopher Wray for somehow obstructing their efforts to get to the bottom of all of this."  

11. Wide of lawmakers on dais

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus099334

House Democrats and Republicans battled over the recently released Justice Department's IG report on the FBI and the 2016 election during a Capitol Hill hearing Tuesday.

The report, authored by Michael Horowitz, blasted FBI actions during the 2016 investigation into whether Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate, had mishandled classified information on her private email server when she was secretary of state.

Republicans have become increasingly skeptical of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into potential coordination between Russia and Trump's Republican presidential campaign.

They've been saying they're not convinced by the report's conclusion that the decision to spare Clinton from criminal charges was free from bias, or by reassurances that the problems were limited to just a handful of employees

"There were FBI agents and attorneys who decided to prejudge the outcome of the Hillary Clinton case before the investigation ended. I want you let that sink in for a second," said Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina.

"The IG's report has spawned more questions and more theories about the FBI and DOJ's handling of the Clinton investigation," said Republican colleague Bob Goodlatte of Virginia.

"It confirms that Mrs Clinton did in fact receive special treatment from the Obama Justice Department and FBI during their investigation," Goodlatte said.

Democrats, however, battled back.

"Why is it that after you released this report, Mr. Horowitz, some of my colleagues seriously suggested that we opened an investigation into your investigation, of the investigation?" said Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler.

"The Republicans are now tripling down threatening to impeach Rod Rosenstein and Christopher Wray for somehow obstructing their efforts to get to the bottom of all of this," added Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland.   

Monday, Horowitz appeared with FBI Director Christoper Wray before a senate panel.

Wray said that the FBI is determined to not repeat any of the mistakes identified in the watchdog report.

Days earlier, President Donald Trump asserted the report exonerated him.

"There was no collusion.  There was no obstruction," the president told reporters. "And I think that the Mueller investigation has been totally discredited."

Although the report criticized former FBI Director James Comey for multiple decisions that investigators said broke from protocol. But the inspector general said it found no evidence that political bias affected the outcome of the investigation.

And the report focused only on the FBI's actions during the 2016 election, not the Mueller investigation.

POOL

Washington, DC - 19 June 2018

+++WHITE FLASHES BETWEEN SOUNDBITES+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Trey Gowdy, (R) South Carolina +++SOT PARTIALLY COVERED WITH BROLL+++

"There were FBI agents and attorneys who decided to prejudge the outcome of the Hillary Clinton case before the investigation ended. I want you let that sink in for a second. They prejudged the outcome of the Hillary Clinton investigation before the investigation ended, and these exact same FBI agents and attorneys prejudged the outcome of the Russian investigation before it even began."

2. Mid of Horowitz at witness table

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerry Nadler, (D) New York +++SOT PARTIALLY COVERED WITH BROLL+++

"Why is it that after the Department of Justice and the FBI concluded they should not charge Secretary Clinton with a crime, rather than accepting the conclusion as we would in most criminal cases, the judiciary and oversight majorities launched an investigation into the Department of Justice and the FBI? Why is it that after you released this report, Mr. Horowitz, some of my colleagues seriously suggested that we open an investigation into your investigation, of the investigation?"

4. Mid of Horowitz at witness table

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Bob Goodlatte, (R) Virginia

"The IG's report has spawned more questions and more theories about the FBI and DOJ's handling of the Clinton investigation. It confirms that Mrs. Clinton did in fact receive special treatment from the Obama Justice Department and FBI during their investigation."  

+++WHITE FLASH+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Elijah Cummings, (D) Maryland:

"The Republicans point to some individual expressions of bias, and these are facts the inspector general already revealed. Instead the Republicans are now tripling down threatening to impeach Rod Rosenstein and Christopher Wray for somehow obstructing their efforts to get to the bottom of all of this."

House Democrats and Republicans battled over the recently released Justice Department's IG report on the FBI and the 2016 election during a Capitol Hill hearing Tuesday.

The report, authored by Michael Horowitz, blasted FBI actions during the 2016 investigation into whether Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate, had mishandled classified information on her private email server when she was secretary of state.

Republicans have become increasingly skeptical of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into potential coordination between Russia and Trump's Republican presidential campaign.

They've been saying they're not convinced by the report's conclusion that the decision to spare Clinton from criminal charges was free from bias, or by reassurances that the problems were limited to just a handful of employees

"There were FBI agents and attorneys who decided to prejudge the outcome of the Hillary Clinton case before the investigation ended. I want you let that sink in for a second," said Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina.

"The IG's report has spawned more questions and more theories about the FBI and DOJ's handling of the Clinton investigation," said Republican colleague Bob Goodlatte of Virginia.

"It confirms that Mrs Clinton did in fact receive special treatment from the Obama Justice Department and FBI during their investigation," Goodlatte said.

Democrats, however, battled back.

"Why is it that after you released this report, Mr. Horowitz, some of my colleagues seriously suggested that we opened an investigation into your investigation, of the investigation?" said Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler.

"The Republicans are now tripling down threatening to impeach Rod Rosenstein and Christopher Wray for somehow obstructing their efforts to get to the bottom of all of this," added Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland.   

Monday, Horowitz appeared with FBI Director Christoper Wray before a senate panel.

Wray said that the FBI is determined to not repeat any of the mistakes identified in the watchdog report.

Days earlier, President Donald Trump asserted the report exonerated him.

"There was no collusion.  There was no obstruction," the president told reporters. "And I think that the Mueller investigation has been totally discredited."

Although the report criticized former FBI Director James Comey for multiple decisions that investigators said broke from protocol. But the inspector general said it found no evidence that political bias affected the outcome of the investigation.

And the report focused only on the FBI's actions during the 2016 election, not the Mueller investigation.

POOL

Washington, DC - 19 June 2018

1. Wide of House lawmakers on dais at hearing

2. Mid of Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz at witness table

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

"There were FBI agents and attorneys who decided to prejudge the outcome of the Hillary Clinton case before the investigation ended. I want you let that sink in for a second. They prejudged the outcome of the Hillary Clinton investigation before the investigation ended, and these exact same FBI agents and attorneys prejudged the outcome of the Russian investigation before it even began."

4. Mid of lawmakers on dais

5. Mid of Horowitz at witness table

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerry Nadler, (D) New York

"Why is it that after the Department of Justice and the FBI concluded they should not charge Secretary Clinton with a crime, rather than accepting the conclusion as we would in most criminal cases, the judiciary and oversight majorities launched an investigation into the Department of Justice and the FBI? Why is it that after you released this report, Mr. Horowitz, some of my colleagues seriously suggested that we open an investigation into your investigation, of the investigation?"

7. Mid of lawmakers on dais

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Bob Goodlatte, (R) Virginia

"The IG's report has spawned more questions and more theories about the FBI and DOJ's handling of the Clinton investigation. It confirms that Mrs. Clinton did in fact receive special treatment from the Obama Justice Department and FBI during their investigation."

9. Mid of Horowitz at witness table

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Elijah Cummings, (D) Maryland:

"The Republicans point to some individual expressions of bias, and these are facts the inspector general already revealed. Instead the Republicans are now tripling down threatening to impeach Rod Rosenstein and Christopher Wray for somehow obstructing their efforts to get to the bottom of all of this."  

11. Wide of lawmakers on dais

Congressional Democrats say the report released by the Justice Department's Inspector General on the FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton emails shows that the probe led by then FBI-Director James Comey benefited Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

In a stinging rebuke, the Justice Department watchdog declared Thursday that former FBI Director James Comey was "insubordinate" in his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation in the explosive final months of the 2016 presidential campaign. But it also found there was no evidence that Comey's or the department's final conclusions were motivated by political bias toward either candidate.

Democrats said that while it was "not by design" the Comey's mistakes "unquestionably had the effect of helping the Trump campaign.

They also said that the report, by the Department of Justice's inspector general, should not be used as a way to undermine the special counsel's investigation or the Russia probe.

President Donald Trump and his supporters had looked to the much-anticipated report to provide a fresh line of attack against Comey and the FBI as Trump claims that a politically tainted bureau tried to undermine his campaign and - through the later Russia investigation - his presidency.

Clinton and her supporters, on the other hand, have long complained that she was the one whose election chances were torpedoed by Comey's investigation announcements about her email practices, in the summer and then shortly before the election.

Washington - 14 June 2018

1. House and Senate Democrats walk into news conference

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader:

"Several things are crystal clear. First and foremost, anyone who is hoping to use this report to undermine the Mueller probe or prove the existence of a deep state conspiracy against President Trump will be sorely disappointed. Those of us who are interested in the truth,  however, are pleased to know that the inspector general wrote time and time again that when it came to the Clinton email investigation quote 'no evidence that the conclusions by Department prosecutors were affected by bias or improper consideration'."

3. Various of news conference

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader:

"Did Director Comey, the FBI and DOJ handle the public aspects of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email correctly? Of course not. We Democrats said that then. The inspector general makes it clear now. But Director Comey's mishandling of the publicity around the Clinton email campaign all accrued to the benefit of then candidate Trump, not the other way around."

5. Various of news conference

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader:

"So what does this all mean going forward? We know that in the days ahead the president and his allies will try to twist themselves into pretzels and try to use this report to undermine the special counsel in the Russia probe. Unfortunately for them nothing in this report lays a glove on special counsel Mueller or the ongoing Russia probe. If this was the president's plan to take down the president the Special Counsel, President Trump swung and missed."

7. Various of news conference

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Adam Schiff, (D) California:

"Director Comey and others made serious errors of judgment. And while these serious errors of judgment were not driven by political considerations they were nevertheless serious mistakes. Those mistakes unquestionably had the effect of helping the Trump campaign. Now that was not by design, but that was the effect."

9. Congressional members leave news conference

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus099136

Congressional Democrats say the report released by the Justice Department's Inspector General on the FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton emails shows that the probe led by then FBI-Director James Comey benefited Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

In a stinging rebuke, the Justice Department watchdog declared Thursday that former FBI Director James Comey was "insubordinate" in his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation in the explosive final months of the 2016 presidential campaign. But it also found there was no evidence that Comey's or the department's final conclusions were motivated by political bias toward either candidate.

Democrats said that while it was "not by design" the Comey's mistakes "unquestionably had the effect of helping the Trump campaign.

They also said that the report, by the Department of Justice's inspector general, should not be used as a way to undermine the special counsel's investigation or the Russia probe.

President Donald Trump and his supporters had looked to the much-anticipated report to provide a fresh line of attack against Comey and the FBI as Trump claims that a politically tainted bureau tried to undermine his campaign and - through the later Russia investigation - his presidency.

Clinton and her supporters, on the other hand, have long complained that she was the one whose election chances were torpedoed by Comey's investigation announcements about her email practices, in the summer and then shortly before the election.

Washington - 14 June 2018

++SOTS SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader:

"Several things are crystal clear. First and foremost, anyone who is hoping to use this report to undermine the Mueller probe or prove the existence of a deep state conspiracy against President Trump will be sorely disappointed. Those of us who are interested in the truth,  however, are pleased to know that the inspector general wrote time and time again that when it came to the Clinton email investigation quote no evidence that the conclusions by Department prosecutors were affected by bias or improper consideration."

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader:

"Did Director Comey, the FBI and DOJ handle the public aspects of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email correctly? Of course not. We Democrats said that then. The inspector general makes it clear now. But Director Comey's mishandling of the publicity around the Clinton email campaign all accrued to the benefit of then candidate Trump, not the other way around."

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

"Director Comey and others made serious errors of judgment. And while these serious errors of judgment were not driven by political considerations they were nevertheless serious mistakes. Those mistakes unquestionably had the effect of helping the Trump campaign. Now that was not by design, but that was the effect."

US Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee say they expect to receive the full Mueller report "one way or another".

The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said he would be issuing a subpoena for the full special counsel report and the underlying materials.

Democrat Representative Jamie Raskin, who also sits on the committee, said Congress would get the unredacted report "sooner rather than later". A redacted version of Robert Mueller's report was released on Thursday.

He also criticized US Attorney General Bill Barr's characterization of the report, saying that how he described it "has a lot more in common with a PR campaign that it does a sober legal analysis".

Democrats say the report revealed troubling details about Trump's conduct in the White House.

Mueller evaluated ten episodes for possible obstruction of justice, and said he could not conclusively determine that Trump had committed criminal obstruction.

The episodes included Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey, the president's directive to subordinates to have Mueller fired and efforts to encourage witnesses not to cooperate.

Washington DC - 18 April 2019

1. Various of US Representative Jamie Raskin reading the Mueller Report

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jamie Raskin, US Democratic Representative:

"Congress has a constitutional duty and power to receive the complete, unredacted uncensored report. And we will get that one way or another and it will be sooner rather than later. And I think that we do need to read the entire report in order to get the entire picture and I'm convinced that we will get it. But even the unredacted report gives us tremendous cause for concern about what's been taking place in the White House. And you know it seems very clear to me that what special counsel Mueller intended to do was just to do what every other independent and special counsel done in the past which is to say here's the evidence. Look at these facts. Here's my best summary of the facts something that the Attorney General Barr suppressed from us. And then to give it to Congress and to say to Congress, now you've got to decide what to do and that is - it's an awesome and solemn responsibility that Congress has now to try to deal with the crisis that's contained in this report."

3. Various of Raskin reading report

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jamie Raskin, US Democratic Representative:

"You know, we have a very serious situation on our hands with a president who to my reading of the Mueller report almost certainly obstructed justice, certainly intended and attempted to obstruct justice. And is it in fact only his staff members or certain staff members who are insulating the country from constant violations of the rule of law?"

5. Various of Raskin reading report

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jamie Raskin, US Democratic Representative:

"Well, again, you know, I'm immediately troubled by the vast distance between the Mueller report and what it contains and what Attorney General Barr has been saying about it over the last several weeks, which has a lot more in common with a PR campaign than it does with a sober legal analysis."

7. Various of Raskin

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jamie Raskin, US Democratic Representative:

"The idea that the report proves no obstruction is completely at odds with hundreds of pages in the report which document efforts by the president to undermine the investigation."

9. Various of Raskin

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jamie Raskin, US Democratic Representative:

"Of course, the president has declared himself completely and totally exonerated by the Mueller report which is absolutely comical when you read it. The obstructions section, the volume on obstruction, documents at least 10 episodes of activity by the president where he attempted to undermine the Mueller investigation, where he tried to fire people who were involved."

+++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee expect to receive the full Mueller report "one way or another."

The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says he'll be issuing a subpoena for the full special counsel report and the underlying materials.

Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin who also sits on the committee said Congress will get the unredacted report "sooner rather than later." A redacted version of Robert Mueller's report was released on Thursday.

He also criticized Attorney General Bill Barr's characterization of the report saying that how he described it "has a lot more in common with a PR campaign that it does a sober legal analysis."

Democrats say the report revealed troubling details about Trump's conduct in the White House.

Mueller evaluated 10 episodes for possible obstruction of justice, and said he could not conclusively determine that Trump had committed criminal obstruction. The episodes included Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey, the president's directive to subordinates to have Mueller fired and efforts to encourage witnesses not to cooperate.

Washington - 18 April 2019

1. Various of Rep. Jamie Raskin reading the Mueller Report

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Jamie Raskin, (D) Maryland:

"Congress has a constitutional duty and power to receive the complete, unredacted uncensored report. And we will get that one way or another and it will be sooner rather than later. And I think that we do need to read the entire report in order to get the entire picture and I'm convinced that we will get it. But even the unredacted report gives us tremendous cause for concern about what's been taking place in the White House. And you know it seems very clear to me that what special counsel Mueller intended to do was just to do what every other independent and special counsel done in the past which is to say here's the evidence. Look at these facts. Here's my best summary of the facts something that the Attorney General Barr suppressed from us. And then to give it to Congress and to say to Congress, now you've got to decide what to do and that is -- it's an awesome and solemn responsibility that Congress has now to try to deal with the crisis that's contained in this report."

3. Various of Raskin reading report

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Jamie Raskin, (D) Maryland:

"You know, we have a very serious situation on our hands with a president who to my reading of the Mueller report almost certainly obstructed justice, certainly intended and attempted to obstruct justice. And is it in fact only his staff members or certain staff members who are insulating the country from constant violations of the rule of law?"

5. Various of Raskin reading report

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Jamie Raskin, (D) Maryland:

"Well, again, you know, I'm immediately troubled by the vast distance between the Mueller report and what it contains and what Attorney General Barr has been saying about it over the last several weeks, which has a lot more in common with a PR campaign than it does with a sober legal analysis."

7. Various of Raskin

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Jamie Raskin, (D) Maryland:

"The idea that the report proves no obstruction is completely at odds with hundreds of pages in the report which document efforts by the president to undermine the investigation."

9. Various of Raskin

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Jamie Raskin, (D) Maryland:

"Of course, the president has declared himself completely and totally exonerated by the Mueller report which is absolutely comical when you read it. The obstructions section, the volume on obstruction, documents at least 10 episodes of activity by the president where he attempted to undermine the Mueller investigation, where he tried to fire people who were involved."

+++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

Congressional Democrats say the report released by the Justice Department's Inspector General on the FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton emails shows that the probe led by then FBI-Director James Comey benefited Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

In a stinging rebuke, the Justice Department watchdog declared Thursday that former FBI Director James Comey was "insubordinate" in his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation in the explosive final months of the 2016 presidential campaign. But it also found there was no evidence that Comey's or the department's final conclusions were motivated by political bias toward either candidate.

Democrats said that while it was "not by design" the Comey's mistakes "unquestionably had the effect of helping the Trump campaign.

They also said that the report, by the Department of Justice's inspector general, should not be used as a way to undermine the special counsel's investigation or the Russia probe.

President Donald Trump and his supporters had looked to the much-anticipated report to provide a fresh line of attack against Comey and the FBI as Trump claims that a politically tainted bureau tried to undermine his campaign and - through the later Russia investigation - his presidency.

Clinton and her supporters, on the other hand, have long complained that she was the one whose election chances were torpedoed by Comey's investigation announcements about her email practices, in the summer and then shortly before the election.

Washington - 14 June 2018

1. House and Senate Democrats walk into news conference

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader:

"Several things are crystal clear. First and foremost, anyone who is hoping to use this report to undermine the Mueller probe or prove the existence of a deep state conspiracy against President Trump will be sorely disappointed. Those of us who are interested in the truth,  however, are pleased to know that the inspector general wrote time and time again that when it came to the Clinton email investigation quote 'no evidence that the conclusions by Department prosecutors were affected by bias or improper consideration'."

3. Various of news conference

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader:

"Did Director Comey, the FBI and DOJ handle the public aspects of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email correctly? Of course not. We Democrats said that then. The inspector general makes it clear now. But Director Comey's mishandling of the publicity around the Clinton email campaign all accrued to the benefit of then candidate Trump, not the other way around."

5. Various of news conference

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader:

"So what does this all mean going forward? We know that in the days ahead the president and his allies will try to twist themselves into pretzels and try to use this report to undermine the special counsel in the Russia probe. Unfortunately for them nothing in this report lays a glove on special counsel Mueller or the ongoing Russia probe. If this was the president's plan to take down the president the Special Counsel, President Trump swung and missed."

7. Various of news conference

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Adam Schiff, (D) California:

"Director Comey and others made serious errors of judgment. And while these serious errors of judgment were not driven by political considerations they were nevertheless serious mistakes. Those mistakes unquestionably had the effect of helping the Trump campaign. Now that was not by design, but that was the effect."

9. Congressional members leave news conference