Thread by @althecat

Mueller's hostage note, read from the U.S. D.OJ. podium today is as stark an illustration as youncould possibly find of the depth of the U.S. constitutional crisis. /1

Robert Mueller clearly negotiated the form of words that he used for his departure with Attorney General William P. Barr and he spoke them as if expelling poison. /2

That this statement was delivered on the moment of his resignation from a department he has served for decades, for a considerable period at the highest level, is something you need to keep in mind as you listen to his words. /3

Watch also the way he holds himself, as if broken, head down, barely looking at the cameras.

Barr has found some form of leverage over the most revered lawman in America, and what that leverage is, is for me the no. 1 question begged by today's appearance. /4

In one breath Robert Mueller makes clear that he was completely constrained by DOJ Policy.

In the next he makes clear that Congress's responsibility to act on his report.

And in his last he tells us that he is unable (or unwilling) to say anything more. /5

In the several hours since he made his statement the chorus of stupidity has been loud. Some will have us believe that he is acting in accordance with principle and process, or that he seeks somehow to make his written account speak alone.

This is nonsense. /6

Mueller's statement today is the price of his escape. And the story of what really happened today is as yet untold. This is a note read by a hostage who is trying to escape. /7

Robert Mueller like us watching today knows that sunlight is the best disinfectant. Like us he knows that the truth will out. And like us he knows what happened when the last U.S. President elected to first condone, then conceal and then lie about crimes comitted for him. /8

And he also knows that Congress, @RepAdamSchiff @JerryNadler and @SenatorBurr have no obligation to honour his publicly stated desire not to give evidence to a constitutionally mandated impeachment inquiry. /9

Moreover, Mueller's declaration that if called to testify he will confine himself to what he has previously committed to ink on paper is both promise and falsehood. /10

A promise in that Mueller well knows that in the aftermath of his statement today all of America America will stop and listen when he appears, shortly, as he most surely will on capital hill. /11

And falsehood to the extent that Mueller is misunderstood about his intent. If asked questions which pertain to matters not contained in his report he has a simple legal choice, answer or plead the 5th Amendment. /12

Mueller's promise of silence today is also empty in relation to content. While he will stick to his script on his report, that is to be expected.

But with regards to issues that relate to matters since, E.G. William P. Barr's conduct, Mueller can rely on the 1st Amendment. /13

@threadreaderapp unroll