Read Attorney General Barr’s Letter Regarding Mueller Report

Attorney General Bill Barr on Jan. 29, 2019. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo)

Attorney General Bill Barr issued a letter regarding the completion of special counsel Robert Mueller’s final report about alleged Russian interference into the 2016 presidential election.

Barr now has the option regarding how to disclose Mueller’s report to the public.

In the letter, he announced Mueller submitted his report to the Department of Justice on March 22.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller leaves following a meeting with members of the US Senate Judiciary Committee at the US Capitol on June 21, 2017. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

The attorney general’s letter reads as follows:

Dear Chairman Graham, Chairman Nadler, Ranking Member Feinstein, and Ranking Member Collins:

I write to notify you pursuant to 28 C.F.R. 600.9(a)(3) that Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III has concluded his investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and related matters. In addition to this notification, the Special Counsel regulations require that I provide you with a “description and explanation of instances (if any) in which the Attorney General” or acting Attorney General “concluded that a proposed action by a Special Counsel was so inappropriate or unwarranted under established Departmental practices that it should not be pursued.” 28 C.F.R. 600.9(a)(3).

There were no such instances during the Special Counsel’s investigation.

The Special Counsel has submitted to me today a “confidential report explaining the prosecution or declination decisions” he has reached, as required by 28 C.F.R. 600.8(c). I am reviewing the report and anticipate that I may be in a position to advise you of the Special Counsel’s principal conclusions as soon as this weekend.

Then-FBI Director Robert Mueller in Washington on June 25, 2008. Special Counsel Mueller is reportedly close to finishing his investigation. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Separately, I intend to consult with Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein and Special Counsel Mueller to determine what other information from the report can be released to Congress and the public consistent with the law, including the Special Counsel regulations, and the Department’s long-standing practices and policies. I remain committed to as much transparency as possible, and I will keep you informed as to the status of my review.

Finally, the Special Counsel regulations provide that “the Attorney General may determine that public release of” this notification “would be in the public interest.” 28 C.F.R. 600.9 (c). I have so determined, and I will disclose this letter to the public after delivering it to you.

Sincerely,

William P. Barr Attorney General