Thread by @AriMelber

A few takeaways on Mueller's *Judiciary* hearing on obstruction....

#thread

Mueller fact-checked Donald Trump's claims (No C, No O) about what Mueller actually found -- a rebuttal to Trump *and* Barr.

Mueller's testimony suggests Trump is a #liar, while Mueller won't say if his evidence suggests Trump is a #criminal.

Mueller reaffirms his probe:
- did not exonerate Trump
- found Trump interfered in the probe
- but he won't say whether Trump did anything impeachable

Mueller did not specifically parry Republicans seizing on a common critique of the report:

Why did it refrain from providing a clear understanding of whether or not Trump did commit a crime?

(Separate from issue of actual indictment)

Mueller already told everyone he didn't believe today's testimony was necessary or a good idea.

And today he was not assertive, let alone aggressive, his presentation of the underlying facts, which he's cleared to discuss because they're in the report, was not very detailed.

House Democrats said was part of the purpose of this hearing was to present a narrative that people could *see and hear.* Did they know today would go like this?

The Judiciary hearing is where the potential crimes are. Did the relevant staff - for Mueller and Congress - know he would testify like this, waving off over 100 questions?

Did the obstruction hearing bring to life the stories from the Mueller Report? Some of the members did, but it's not clear that Bob Mueller was the one recounting those stories his investigators found.

Now the hearing may still present many more Americans w/ facts, legal analysis & how branches of gov grapple with these complex issues - a worthwhile Congressional activity.

But it didn't appear to draw Mueller into "strengthening" a case for impeachment, as some hoped.