'Hyper-cautious' Mueller evidence results in political stalemate

The former special counsel testifies to the House judiciary committee on his report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.

By Cordelia Lynch, US correspondent

Image: The Democrats needed a bombshell - they were going to be disappointed

Washington was expecting a blockbuster. In reality, two polarised and packed rooms got a book they had already seen, read out loud.
Robert Mueller made clear from the outset that he wasn't going to divert from the findings in his 448-page document and he didn't.
He was laconic and undramatic. But more strikingly, he was hyper-cautious and haltering.
There were times when he couldn't hear the questions and others when he looked blankly when asked about significant parts of his own investigation like the opposition-research firm Fusion GPS.

Trump could be indicted after leaving office

Mr Mueller has said his report did not exonerate Mr Trump on claims of obstruction of justice

Repeatedly, the former FBI director told his questioners: "You're going to have to repeat that for me."

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The former special counsel has become an almost mythical figure among some in Washington, lauded as methodical, smart, and a master of detail.
But now, even top Democrat David Axelrod has tweeted: "This is very, very painful."
By lunchtime, NBC had a tracker on its website totting up how many times Mueller deflected, declined or deferred to answer.
Others started discussing how the years had taken their toll on the 74-year-old.
Mr Mueller did provide some very important clarifications.
Mr Trump's common refrain is: "No collusion, no obstruction." And the man who led the Russia probe made clear his report did not find that.

 Under precise questioning from Democrat Adam Schiff, Mr Mueller also confirmed many other facts that the president has denied: Russia's sweeping interference to help Trump, the Trump campaigned welcomed the assistance, Trump sought to make money in Moscow and the investigation was not a witch hunt or hoax.

In a key exchange with Democrat congressman Ted Lieu, Mr Mueller also stated that the president could be charged after leaving office.
He later added that it was not something they had actively considered.
Democrats who wanted impeachment proceedings needed bombshells.
They did not get them from these two hearings.

In truth, Mr Mueller was unwilling to grant either Democrats or Republicans a knockout moment that might denounce or exonerate Trump.

Cordelia Lynch

There were several crucial moments in the obstruction inquiry of his report that Mr Mueller confirmed under oath, which taken together could provide Democrats with some kind of roadmap to impeachment.
But - and it's a big but - the lack of big headlines combined with a weary public, will likely ensure the dial does not shift politically in any meaningful way.
Some 121 days ago a headline in the New York Times read: "Disappointed fans of Mueller rethink the pedestal they built for him."
I cannot imagine they are building a new one for him now.
Nearly every Republican member of the House judiciary committee and the House intelligence committee used his or her time to either suggest Trump was innocent or accuse Mr Mueller's team of being politically motivated.
After two-and-a-half hours of testimony, the White House had already declared victory, describing an "epic embarrassment for Democrats".
Minutes later, I received an email from the Trump Rapid Response Team claiming Mr Mueller had proved they were right all along.

 Mueller 'did not exonerate' Trump

In truth, Mr Mueller was unwilling to grant either Democrats or Republicans a knockout moment that might denounce or exonerate Trump.
The former special counsel had long made clear he would not discuss his investigation beyond "the four corners" of his report.
During his 20-month-long investigation, he barely appeared in public.
Today, at two hearings made for TV, he was on full display... but he held plenty back.