DOJ says it will negotiate with Democrats on full Mueller report if Barr contempt vote is called off
![Bill Barr.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3Yd7iaJJiLHWXzUUW7HwnJ-415-80.jpg)
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.
The letter goes on to say that the committee's latest offer for Mueller report materials is "more reasonable," and so the department is "prepared to resume negotiations." However, this is provided that the committee moots its May 8 contempt vote and removes "any threat of an imminent vote by the House of Representatives to hold the attorney general in contempt."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
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 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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
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.
-
'Unspeakable new suffering'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Thailand's war on blackchin tilapia
Under The Radar The invasive 'alien' fish are causing economic damage but can their spread be stopped?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
10 recent scientific breakthroughs
In Depth From cell reparation to monkey communication
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
How could a $10M Egyptian cash withdrawal upend Trump's campaign?
Today's Big Question A scuttled Justice Department investigation into alleged foreign election interference returns to complicate the 2024 presidential election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published