DOJ questions Democrats 'purported need' for redacted Mueller report material

The Justice Department says it's "disappointed" that House Democrats are preparing to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt.

After Barr did not turn over the unredacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report by Monday morning, the deadline House Democrats had set, House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said there is "no choice but to initiate contempt proceedings." Democrats, who are also seeking the Mueller report's underlying evidence, plan to hold a contempt vote on Wednesday.

Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd wrote to Nadler in response on Monday that the DOJ is "disappointed" in the committee's decision to move forward with a contempt vote, criticizing Democrats' "rush to issue a subpoena" after Barr took "the extraordinary step" of releasing the Mueller report, Talking Points Memo reports. A redacted version of the report was released last month, with a less-redacted version being available for a select group of lawmakers to see. However, Democrats want the unredacted report, and they want it to be made available not just to a small group.

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Boyd criticized members of the Judiciary Committee for having "yet to take advantage" of the DOJ's offer to see the less-redacted version of the report, saying this "naturally raises questions about the sincerity of the committee's interest in and purported need for the redacted material," and also "hinders our ability to engage in a meaningful discussion."

The Justice Department's letter concludes by inviting Nadler and his staff later this week to negotiate "an accommodation that meets the legitimate interests of each of our coequal branches of government." Boyd offers Nadler the opportunity to negotiate on Wednesday afternoon, the same day the Judiciary Committee had planned to hold its contempt vote.