Mueller Report: How Democrats, Republicans Reacted To William Barr And Robert Mueller Testifying Before Congress

The release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's redacted report Thursday has prompted differing views from Republicans and Democrats, who weighed in whether Mueller should testify and the nature of Attorney General William Barr's press conference.

Key legislators took to Twitter to show their criticism as well as their support of Barr, who told reporters Thursday that he would not have a problem with Mueller testifying after the release of the report that focused on the Russian collusion in the 2016 presidential election.

But Barr has drawn criticism for his adamant stance that President Trump's did not obstruct justice, despite the special counsel's report finding 10 instances that might suggest obstruction. He has also been seen as an enthusiastic supporter of Trump's transparency in the investigation despite the president's unwillingness for an in-person interview and frequent postings on Twitter about a "witch hunt."

Senate Republicans seemed split on whether Mueller should testify before Congress.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and has become a recent notable Republican ally of President Trump, rejected the idea of Mueller testifying: "He's done his job. I'm not going to retry the case."

Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, who is a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and GOP leadership, said he was "neutral on the question of whether Mueller should testify. The job of the special counsel is to report his findings to the attorney general. I'm neutral on whether he should come and talk about his findings or not. I think his decision not to become a media figure during the investigation itself was both extraordinary and I thought a good decision."

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who is also a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and considered among the most moderate members of Congress, supported Mueller potentially testifying.

"I am also pleased that the Attorney General indicated that he did not have any objection to Mr. Mueller testifying before Congress. If Mr. Mueller were to testify, it could give the Congress and the American people another opportunity to better understand the facts and conclusions that he reached during his investigation," Collins said in a statement.

Unlike their Republican counterparts, Democrats were united and dismissive of Barr's handling of the special counsel's report, with three senators running for president in 2020 providing scathing rebukes about his press conference.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York took to Twitter to express dismay about Barr's press conference, calling it "a farce" and "an embarrassing display of propaganda on behalf of President Trump."

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts described Barr's press conference as "a disgrace" as she viewed it as Barr acting as a "personal attorney and publicist for the President."

Sen. Kamala Harris of California, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called Barr's press conference "a stunt, filled with political spin and propaganda" and asked for Mueller to testify.