House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said he wants special counsel Robert Mueller to testify.

But Mueller only wants to testify in private.

“We want him to come in and testify,” Nadler said Thursday in an MSNBC interview. “Mueller, I think I can say at this point, that he wants to testify in private.”

When pressed on why Mueller doesn't want to speak publicly, Nadler said, “I don't know why.”

Nadler later said he was speculating but guessed that Mueller did not want to be part of a political spectacle.

"We'd see a transcript," Nadler said when asked if the public would hear Mueller's answers to the committee's questions. Nadler said there would also be a public opening statement by Mueller.

Mueller's lengthy report on his team's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election was released with redactions, but congressional Democrats are pushing the Justice Department for full access.

The special counsel’s office has indicated that Mueller does not want to appear political by testifying.

Nadler formally summoned Mueller to testify "no later than May 23,” but has delayed the move, likely until sometime in June.

Attorney General William Barr said last week, “It’s Bob’s call whether he wants to testify.”