Robert Mueller Claims He Did Not Interview for FBI Job

Former special counsel Robert Mueller claimed while testifying in front of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that he did not interview for the FBI director position only days prior to his appointment to lead the investigation into Russia’s 2016 election interference.

Mueller, who served as FBI director between 2001 and 2013, was questioned by Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), who asked if he had any ambitions to replace James Comey at the helm of agency when the latter was fired in 2017. In particular, Steube asked if Mueller had interviewed for the position only one day before his appointment as special counsel, as President Donald Trump has claimed on numerous occasions.

“My understanding is that I was not applying for the job,” Mueller said in response. “I was asked to give my input on what it would take to do the job, which triggered the interview you are talking about.”

Steube, a freshman lawmaker from Florida, proceeded to pose the question again, but with dates for when the supposed interview was to have taken place.

“So you don’t recall that on May 16, 2017, that you interviewed with the president regarding the FBI director job?” the congressman asked.

Mueller said that although he had interviewed to discuss what the job would entail, he did not believe he was a candidate himself for the position.

“I interviewed with the president. It was about the job, but not about me applying for the job,” the 74-year-old former special counsel said.

“So you’re statement here today is that you didn’t interview to apply for the FBI director job?” Steube asked, seeking to clarify the matter for the record.

After Mueller indeed asserted that was “correct,” the congressman inquired if at any point around the time of the interview he had told Vice President Mike Pence that the FBI position was the one job he would willingly accept in public life.

“I don’t recall that one,” Mueller replied.

Despite the former special counsel not recalling the interview or remarks he may have made, Trump claimed on social media Wednesday that there were witnesses, including Pence, who could attest otherwise:

Shortly after Trump’s tweet, a spokesperson for Pence told the Associated Press the vice president “was present in the Oval Office when Robert Mueller interviewed for the job of FBI Director in May of 2017.”