Thread by @timkmak

Good morning from North Capitol, where the long-anticipated Mueller hearings have been greeted by a gorgeous cool sunny day in Washington.

A few thoughts before we kick off:

If you're watching along starting at 830 am, have a copy of the report handy.

We've been told to expect frequent page number references as part of questions from Dems on the judiciary committee

Expect the intelligence committee questioning to be a bit spicier when it starts in the afternoon.

Judiciary lawmakers are committed to staying within the report; the intel cmte does not see it that way

npr.org/2019/07/19/743…

Judiciary this morning will focus on five/six incidents of obstruction of justice.

I've outlined them here:
npr.org/2019/07/19/743…

Both committees prepared for lightning rounds: expect a ton of Mueller ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions to connect dots between parts of the report

npr.org/2019/07/19/743…

Will Mueller's testimony matter for the impeachment question?

The only time he made a statement, 8 Dems came out for impeachment.

By the end of the week, 6 more. More than 1/2 of pro-impeachment lawmakers said so after he spoke out in late May

npr.org/2019/07/23/744…

Per NPR's @barbarasprunt, there are long lines outside the hearing room.

Only 47 seats available to the public so most people are not going to get in, sadly!

Get that Volume II ready

Mueller: Over the course of my career, I’ve seen a number of challenges to our democracy. The Russian government’s effort to interfere in our election is among the most serious.

Chairman Nadler sets the stage by getting Mueller to confirm:
--The report doesn't exonerate the president
--An OLC opinion prevents him from indicting the president
--Despite viewing POTUS intvu as 'vital,' they did not do an interview with Trump

Collins set up GOP position on Mueller report by getting him to confirm:
--That he will stay within the four corners of the report
--That he did not receive any Qs from Dems on the cmte
--That his investigation was not curtailed as it was underway

Rep. Chabot was not properly prepared, mispronounces key figure's name.

It is:

https://twitter.com/emptywheel/status/1154021454620610566

GOP Rep. Gohmert sneers at Mueller, "maybe you've been outside the courtroom for a while..."

Gohmert hasn't been a judge since 2003

EDITOR: Where is your story? It was due hours ago!

ME: I take your question

Rep. Reschenthaler trying to use his JAG career to flex on Mueller, who is:

a member of the Ranger Hall of fame, recipient of the Bronze Star with 'V,' and former FBI director

Trump campaign fundraising off Mueller hearings: