DOJ says it will negotiate with Democrats on full Mueller report if Barr contempt vote is called off

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published 4 June 2019

The Department of Justice says it's willing to recommence negotiations with the House Judiciary Committee over the release of the unredacted Mueller report if Congress does not hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt, Axios reports.

The DOJ in a letter on Tuesday said that the House Judiciary Committee's vote in favor of holding Barr in contempt was "premature and unnecessary," also saying it's "disappointed" that the full House of Representatives is set to vote on holding Barr in contempt next week.

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The House Judiciary Committee had previously voted to hold Barr in contempt for not complying with a subpoena for the unredacted Mueller report and underlying materials, but the DOJ says in this letter "it would hardly make sense" to hold Barr in contempt for rebuffing a subpoena that the department says "even the committee now appears to acknowledge was overbroad." For now, the vote to hold Barr in contempt is expected to take place on June 11.

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Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.

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