Nadler: It falls to Congress to respond to Trump's crimes, lies - Washington Examiner

House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler vowed Wednesday that Congress will respond to any crimes committed by President Trump.

The New York Democrat's statement came swiftly after special counsel Robert Mueller faced the press about his findings from the federal Russia investigation, announcing he was closing his office within the Justice Department and retiring to private life. He also suggested his report would be his testimony should lawmakers like Nadler subpoena him to appear on Capitol Hill.

"In his statement this morning, Special Counsel Mueller reaffirmed his report, which found substantial evidence that Russia attacked our political system and that the President sought to obstruct Mueller’s investigation over and over again," Nadler said. "He also confirmed three central points: he did not exonerate the President of the United States of obstruction of justice, obstruction of justice is a serious crime that strikes at the core of our justice system, and the Constitution points to Congress to take action to hold the President accountable."

"Although Department of Justice policy prevented the Special Counsel from bringing criminal charges against the President, the Special Counsel has clearly demonstrated that President Trump is lying about the Special Counsel’s findings, lying about the testimony of key witnesses in the Special Counsel’s report, and is lying in saying that the Special Counsel found no obstruction and no collusion," he added. "Given that Special Counsel Mueller was unable to pursue criminal charges against the President, it falls to Congress to respond to the crimes, lies and other wrongdoing of President Trump ± and we will do so. No one, not even the President of the United States, is above the law."

Mueller's appearance behind a DOJ podium triggered more calls Wednesday for House Democrats to commence impeachment proceedings against the president.

Rep. David Cicilline, House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee chairman, urged lawmakers to act, in direct contravention with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who has repeatedly called for calm among her conference.

"The next step is for the House Judiciary Committee to open an impeachment inquiry to formally begin consideration of whether or not articles of impeachment should be filed," Cicilline wrote in series of tweets. "The opening of this inquiry will allow the Committee to collect evidence, compel the attendance of witnesses, and decide how to proceed."

The Special Counsel’s work is done. I thank him and his staff for their service to our country. Now it is time for Congress to do its job.
— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) May 29, 2019

Cicilline's colleague on the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., echoed his sentiment.

"Special Counsel Robert Mueller just said that 'charging the president with a crime was not an option we could consider' under DOJ policy," she tweeted. "It wasn't lack of evidence. It was DOJ policy."

Special Counsel Robert Mueller just said that "charging the president with a crime was not an option we could consider" under DOJ policy.
It wasn't lack of evidence. It was DOJ policy.
He said that this "deserves the attention of every American." He's right. Congress must act.
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) May 29, 2019