Article snippet: Special counsel MORE with a crime was “not an option” for his office, put new pressure on House Democrats as they scramble to advance their investigations into the president’s conduct. Mueller’s first public comments since the start of his landmark 22-month probe into Russia's election interference leave Speaker MORE (D-Calif.) and other Democratic leaders with tough questions about forging a path forward. The special counsel suggested he won’t appear before Congress to discuss the findings of his 448-page report — potentially depriving Democrats of their key witness — but impeachment advocates found new fuel for a campaign Pelosi has been fighting for months to defuse. “The next step is for the House Judiciary Committee to open an impeachment inquiry to formally begin consideration of whether or not articles of impeachment should be filed,” tweeted Rep. MORE (R.I.), the head of the Democrats’ messaging arm, after Mueller’s Wednesday morning statement. Pelosi and other top party leaders have sought Mueller's testimony before several key congressional committees in hopes the former FBI director could shed more light on his report, particularly on the question of whether Trump obstructed justice. But Mueller made clear Wednesday that he hopes to avoid such an appearance, forcing Democrats to decide whether they will drag him to Capitol Hill with a subpoena, or seek other strategies to advance their probes. Pelosi, for her part, vowed to charge ahead with those inve... Link to the full article to read more