US prosecutor Robert Mueller to testify publicly on Russia probe

Former US special counsel Robert Mueller is to testify in public about his report into Russian electoral interference, paving way for a historic television moment in which Democrats will attempt to make case for President Donald Trump's impeachment before American people.

scrupulously tight-lipped Mueller will appear at back-to-back hearings on July 17 of House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees, which anunced Tuesday that prosecutor had agreed to abide by subpoenas for his testimony.

"Russia attacked our democracy to help Trump win. Trump welcomed and used that help," House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff said on Twitter.

"As Mueller said, that should concern every American. And w, every American will get to hear directly from Mueller."

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Trump's apparent response to anuncement came swiftly in a two-word tweet in which he complained, without referring to Mueller, of "Presidential Harassment!" Mueller report released in April outlined numerous contacts between Trump's 2016 election campaign and government-linked Russians, as well as evidence that president tried on several occasions to stymie investigation.

Democrats have been split on wher to launch impeachment proceedings against Republican president but -- fearing that much of country is unaware of Mueller report's contents -- have been asking major figures in probe to testify in public on its findings.

But president has asserted executive privilege to bar current and former aides from cooperating with several congressional investigations into his conduct.

Making his only public statement about high-stakes probe on May 29, Mueller said longstanding Justice Department guidelines prevented him from charging Trump, despite at least 10 possible acts of criminal obstruction by president.

But t indicting Trump was t equivalent to clearing him, Mueller said, suggesting Congress has both constitutional powers and responsibility to pursue case.

Mueller's testimony comes with both parties focused squarely on next year's presidential election.

While many of candidates for 2020 Democratic mination support impeachment, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has argued that it would be a risky move without an "ironclad" case and bipartisan support.

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If Democrat-controlled House of Representatives were to vote on formal impeachment charges, Republican-held Senate would decide wher to convict, which requires an unlikely two-thirds majority.

Pro-impeachment House Democrats -- more than 70 in a caucus of 235 have anunced ir support so far -- hope neverless that Mueller's testimony will strengn public backing for removing Trump.

"Americans have demanded to hear directly from special counsel so y can understand what he and his team examined, uncovered, and determined about Russia's attack on our democracy, Trump campaign's acceptance and use of that help, and President Trump and his associates' obstruction of investigation into that attack," Schiff said in a statement jointly issued with House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler.

Mueller spent nearly two years investigating Russian election interference and possible involvement by Trump and his inner circle.

His 448-p report concluded that re wasn't sufficient proof of a criminal conspiracy but found that Trump's campaign welcomed and expected to benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts.

His investigation led to charges against 34 individuals including six Trump associates and 25 Russians, many of m members of Russia's GRU military intelligence ncy.

Mueller did t speak publicly during his investigation, and at May news conference said he considered his report only testimony he needed to give on his work.

Mark Meadows, a conservative Republican and staunch Trump defender, said Democrats' subpoena of Mueller was confirmation that y wanted "to drag it out."

"This isn't a fact finding mission. It's an attempt at a PR operation. thing more," Meadows said on Twitter.