Jim Jordan nails Mueller on instigator of Russia probe

Democrats focused their questioning Wednesday of Robert Mueller on whether or not President Trump tried to obstruct the special counsel investigation, but Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, wanted to know why the person who appears to have launched the whole matter was let off the hook.

The FBI opened its investigation after Australian diplomat Alexander Downer reported to the bureau that he was told by Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos that "the Russians have dirt on Hillary Clinton," Jordan pointed out.

"What I'm wondering is, who told Papadopoulos?" the congressman asked Mueller. How did he find out?"

I can't get into the evidentiary findings," Mueller replied.

"Yes you can," Jordan shot back. "You wrote about it. You gave us the answer. On page 192 of the report you tell us who told him: Josef Mifsud."

Jordan described Mifsud at "the mysterious professor who lives in Rome and London, works and teaches at two universities."

"This is the guy who told Papadopoulos. This is the guy who starts it all," the Ohio Republican said.

"And when the FBI interviews him, he lies three times, and yet you don't charge him with a crime."

Jordan pointed out that Mueller charged several figures with making false statements, including one-time Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and his associate, Rick Gates, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

"But the guy who puts the whole country through this saga, starts it all -- for three years we've live through this now -- he lies, and you guys don't charge him," Jordan said. "And I'm curious as to why."

Mueller replied: "Well, we can't get into it, and it's obvious, I think, that we can't get into charging decisions.

Jordan, noting the FBI interviewed Mifsud in February, asked Mueller if Mifsud also lied to the special counsel team.

"I can't get into that," Mueller said.

Asked further whether or not Mueller himself interviewed Mifsud and if Mifsud is Western intelligence or Russian intelligence, the former special counsel's answer was the same.

"A lot of things you can't get into," Jordan commented.