I was revolted by the Congressional hearing yesterday. Revolted by the Republicans screaming insults at a man who has served his country faithfully, and who accepted an enormously difficult task and carried it out well. And revolted by the Democrats, trying to manipulate that man into saying something they could use in their petty partisan games against President Trump.
Throughout the day, Mueller gave the briefest of answers, refusing to elaborate, and constantly pointed his questioners to the report. Had he been the anti-Trump partisan many accuse him of being, Mueller could have skewered President Trump. With what he knew, he could have given soundbites which would be replayed for generations. But instead, Mueller mostly sat their stoically absorbing the blows of Republicans, not inclined to defend himself, and refusing to give Democrats what they so desperately wanted.
The day’s big loser was Robert Mueller. And I suspect he was probably okay with that.
Two years ago, nobody had anything bad to say about Robert Mueller. He was hailed by both Reps and Dems as a man of integrity with a stellar reputation–the perfect man to lead the Special Counsel investigation.
Mueller spent two years following where the evidence took him, making judgment calls which were sometimes criticized by Democrats, sometimes by Republicans, and nearly always by President Trump. There were virtually no leaks–a rare novelty in Washington. Over 30 people were indicted. It was no witchhunt, as the President and his parrots continually whined.
Throughout it all, Mueller avoided the spotlight, remained in the shadows, doing his assigned job (unlike, say, Kenneth Starr, whose investigation wandered across the horizon for five endless years and yielded practically nothing beyond regular appearances before media microphones for Starr).
For two years, right-wing media personalities–Limbaugh, Hannity, Carlson, Ingraham, Guiliani, and others–have continually assaulted Robert Mueller. Talk to someone today who imbibes conservative media, and you may well hear that Robert Mueller is a horrible person, even treasonous. It’s disgusting.
Robert Mueller volunteered to go to Vietnam, where he fought heroically as an Army Ranger. In those days, Ivy League guys from wealthy families didn’t end up in Vietnam, let alone in a frontline rifle platoon. And they certainly didn’t volunteer. Mueller, like Donald Trump and others, could have avoided service by finding a doctor to claim he had some fictional ailment. But Mueller didn’t even wait to be drafted. He enlisted. And when initially turned down–which would have prompted many young men to shout “Hallelujah!”–he came back and tried again.
One month into his tour, Lt. Mueller was ordered to lead his platoon in a dangerous relief mission. It was a full day of fighting, with 13 Marines lost, but they accomplished their mission and decimated the enemy. Recalled one of his men, “The minute the s* hit the fan, he was there. He performed remarkably. After that night, there were a lot of guys who would’ve walked through walls for him.”
There was much more intense combat after that. In April 1969, the bullets were coming so fast that he didn’t even notice when a bullet went clean through his thigh. He stayed in the fight, directing his platoon’s fire.
So maybe he had that in mind yesterday when Republican low-lifes were taking pot-shots at him. He’d seen worse.
Robert Mueller went from Vietnam to an admirable career in public service. He left a lucrative law practice to become a front-line homicide prosecutor at one-fourth his previous salary, a job one writer compared to a general deciding to become a private.
He ended up leading the FBI, where he had a reputation for avoiding the limelight (unlike his successor, James Comey). He would cross out every “I” in speeches, telling speechwriters that it wasn’t about him, but about the organization. He is described as having the same mindset as Bob Dole and George HW Bush, who seldom talked about their wartime experiences and felt an obligation to serve the country–and not boast about it.
Men with heavy responsibilities must make judgment calls, and not everyone will like them. But Mueller operated from a core of integrity, doing what he felt was best, and no doubt recognizing when he made bad decisions. Goes with the job.
Mueller has remained married to Ann, whom he married just after graduating from college. One of their two daughters has spina bifada. At one point, Mueller took a job just to be near the treatment she needed.
Yesterday was no way for such a man to end his career. It was a disgrace. Last night, the conservative media gurus were gloating and criticizing him, the late-night comedians were mocking his performance.
Rubert Mueller is a better man than any of them. Than any of his House questioners. Than any of those pundits and comedians. Certainly a far better man than the President. He deserves better. This is a man we should emulate, whom we should hold up to children as a model American.
Is this how America should treat its remarkable people?
Mueller is America at its best, a man who gave up privilege to fight for his country and pursue public service. President Trump’s life, by contrast, has followed three obsessions: money, women, and adulation. Two very, very different lives. And yet, so many conservatives–including my fellow evangelical Christians–now despise Mueller and glorify President Trump.
Yesterday did nothing to make me proud of America, except for the fact that America produces such men as Robert Mueller.
