Read Mueller's letter to Barr saying he 'threatens to undermine' the special counsel's whole 'purpose'
Attorney General William Barr released a public letter about Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report before any civilian got a chance to read it. And as a newly released letter shows, Mueller wasn't exactly happy with it.
Multiple outlets reported Tuesday night on the existence of Mueller's letter to Barr, in which Mueller said Barr's 4-page conclusion letter "did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance" of the whole 448-page report. Barr in summary memo said that Mueller left him the decision of whether to pursue obstruction of justice charges against President Trump, and that he had concluded not to do so — something Trump spun as his "total and complete exoneration."
Publications released Mueller's full letter to the public on Wednesday, revealing that Mueller said his office "communicated" its concern with Barr's letter the morning after its March 24 release. But it appears that concern was not addressed, as Mueller sent this additional letter on March 27, saying that "there is now a public confusion about critical aspects of the results of our investigation." Mueller also said that this confusion "threatens to undermine" his ability "to assure full public confidence in the outcome of the investigation."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The letter arrives just as Barr appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about the Mueller report. Barr released a statement ahead of the testimony defending his actions and his conclusion that there was not enough evidence "to establish that the president committed an obstruction-of-justice offense."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Outer Hebrides: a top travel destination
The Week Recommends Discover 'unspoiled beauty' of the Western Isles
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
The Biltmore Mayfair review: a quintessential slice of luxury London
The Week Recommends This swanky retreat in Grosvenor Square blends old-world glamour with modern comforts
By Caroline Dolby Published
-
Is ChatGPT's new search engine OpenAI's Google 'killer'?
Talking Point There's a new AI-backed search engine in town. But can it stand up to Google's decades-long hold on internet searches?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published