NBC News correspondent Mike Viqueira accosted special counsel Robert Mueller Sunday as he was getting into his vehicle following an Easter service at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.
Mueller was walking towards his car with his wife, Ann, when Viqueira approached them and started peppering him with multiple questions, prompting Mueller to initially say, "No comment" and ignore the rest of his questions. MSNBC's AM Joy host Joy Reid brought Viqueira onto her show and played footage of the encounter
"Sir, can I ask you a couple of questions? Will you testify before Congress, sir?" Viqueira asked.
"No comment." Mueller replied.
"Are you sure about that, sir? If he were anybody, but the president, would Mr. Trump be indicted?" Viqueira asked.
Mueller ignored both questions and appeared to signal to his wife, who was walking towards him and Viqueira, to get into their vehicle.
"Sir, why didn't you make a recommendation to Congress one way or the other? Did the attorney general accurately characterize your positions on conspiracy and obstruction, sir?" Viqueira asked as Mueller got into his vehicle and closed the door.
After the clip, Viqueira joked about how "tight-lipped" Mueller was, prompting Reid to laugh. He went on to call his encounter an "opportunity" and that Mueller's role with the Russia investigation was "history in the making."
Later during the interview, Reid asked Viqueira whether Mueller has been more forthcoming when approached by media about his investigations or whether he is tight-lipped and not open. Viqueir said he wanted to make a distinction between this encounter and other encounters, saying his encounter earlier Sunday morning could be "characterized as an ambush interview" by some people, noting it occurred as he was leaving an Easter church service.
He concluded the interview by saying he believed Mueller would be more forthcoming during a hearing, adding Mueller has a reputation of being a "straight up-and-down kind of guy" in a constitutional setting.
House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler (D., N.Y.) sent a letter to Mueller a few days ago requesting he testify before the committee "as soon as possible" or "no later than May 23."
"It is clear Congress and the American people must hear from Special Counsel Robert Mueller in person to better understand his findings. We are now requesting Mueller to appear before @HouseJudiciary as soon as possible," Nadler tweeted.
It is clear Congress and the American people must hear from Special Counsel Robert Mueller in person to better understand his findings. We are now requesting Mueller to appear before @HouseJudiciary as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/Mmo6PA4KPt
— Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) April 18, 2019