The diaphragm relaxed as air was pushed out of the lungs and through vocal folds causing them to vibrate. Lips parted. Mouth moved. Words were formed. And with that, at long last, Robert Mueller spoke. What did he say? Hodor. I am Groot. Meep Meep. Pizza, Pizza? If, like several fictional characters, Mueller were limited to a single catchphrase, he likely would have simply said, “Read the report.” The much anticipated first (and likely last) public comments from the special counsel could be aptly abridged to this: Americans, do your homework. Congress, do your job. NYT: Mueller, in First Comments on Russia Inquiry, Declines to Clear Trump.

+ NPR: Robert Mueller, Long A Sphinx, Speaks — Then Says It Was His Final Word.

+ Bloomberg: Mueller vs. Barr: How They Framed Russia Probe’s Findings.

+ Key lines from Mueller’s brief statement: “If we had confidence that the President clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said that. We did not, however, make a determination as to whether the President did commit a crime.” … “I want to thank the attorneys, the FBI agents, the analysts, and the professional staff who helped us conduct this investigation in a fair and independent manner. These individuals, who spent nearly two years with the Special Counsel’s Office, were of the highest integrity.” … “There were multiple, systematic efforts to interfere in our election.
That allegation deserves the attention of every American.” … “I hope and expect this to be the only time that I will speak about this matter.” (One assumes he’s not going to tweet about it either.)