Barr Indicates How He Reached A Conclusion On Mueller’s Report In Two Days, Confirms Congress Won’t Get Unredacted Version

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Attorney General William Barr testified before a House subcommittee Tuesday on Capitol Hill  before lawmakers since releasing his four-page summary on the key findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The official purpose of the hearing, which was being conducted by the House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, was to discuss Barr’s fiscal year 2020 spending request for the Department of Justice. However, Democrats chose to spend their time instead, chasing shiny objects and worrying about the Mueller report summary.

The Attorney General indicated immediately that a redacted version of the Mueller report would be made available within a week. “I think that from my standpoint, within a week I will be in a position to release the report to the public.” He said.

Asked how he came up with a conclusion in “such a short period of time” and “how many staffers helped”, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) suggested that Barr’s mind must have “already been made up.”

“The thinking of the Special Counsel was not a mystery to the Department of Justice prior to his submission of the report.” Barr explained, “[Mueller] had been interacting with the Deputy Attorney General.”

He also noted that on March 5th he and the Deputy Attorney General, Rod Rosenstein, met with the Special Counsel prior to the release of the report. “We had an inkling as to what was coming our direction.” (Continued Below)

Barr specifically explained to Congress that the Special Counsel is helping redact the report which pertains to four categories that he laid out in his summary.

He also reiterated that he would appear before the Judiciary committee and Senate to take questions after the report is released. “I’m not going to discuss it any further until after the report is released,” he told Lowey who kept pressing him.

Lowey said that it was puzzling that 400 pages could be reviewed and the President stated “this report is a complete and total exoneration.” She asked, “who was factually accurate?” (Continued Below)

“It’s hard to have the discussion without the context of that report, isn’t it? And that’s why I’m suggesting that we wait until the report is out. I’m glad to talk to people after that, and I’m already scheduled to testify about that.” Barr responded.

(Related: Barr Unveils The Next Step Once He Gets Criminal Referrals From Nunes: ‘If There’s A Predicate For An Investigation, It’ll Be Conducted’)

Mrs. Lowey said she hoped members of Congress will be able to have the complete and unredacted report along with having discussions about the accuracy. “Will we have the complete report, or are you going to be selective as to what you give members of Congress?” She asked.

The Attorney General confirmed he will not be providing Congress the unredacted report but will however, give members of Congress more information if needed. (Video Below)

WATCH:

(Related: Collins Calls Dems Transparency Bluff, Sends Letter To Nadler Demanding A Subpoena For Mueller)