What was he thinking?

[edelsont]

A week ago today (May 29) Robert Mueller made the first appearance in his farewell tour as Special Counsel.  He also made clear that, if he had his way, it would be the last such appearance.

It was the biggest cliffhanger since the ending of "The Sopranos."  Across America and around the world, people were left wondering, "What happens next?"

For some, notably members of Congress, the question (or complaint) took a different form: "Wait, weren't you supposed to tell us what we should do next?"  I think many of them were counting on that, but he didn't deliver.  So now they, and lots of the rest of us, want to know: "Why didn't he?"

I don't know why he didn't.  (Surely you're not surprised: you've already heard that "I don't know" are my favorite three little words.)  But seeing how disconcerted folks are, I have decided to offer my readers a theory about it.

The actual theory isn't part of this journal entry; it's elsewhere on the Web.  It takes the form of a short piece of speculative fiction. Or more exactly, a short fictional piece of nonfiction: an article which, I ask you to imagine, will appear in The New York Times, [redacted] years in the future.

Even more specifically, it's an interview.  Mr. Mueller sits down with Robert De Niro, whom I have cast as both his interviewer and his anger translator.  By working together, and with the advantage of hindsight, they come to a resolution which makes things clearer to them.  And to me. And I hope that it will do so for you, as well.

Here's where you will find it:

   https://people.well.com/user/edelsont/politics/mueller-speaks.pdf