WASHINGTON — Comments made Tuesday by William Barr, President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, suggest that the report of special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s Russian meddling investigation might not become public in the way many have been expecting.
At his confirmation hearing, Barr repeatedly told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he’s committed to making as much information public as he can about Mueller’s probe. But he also suggested that what is eventually released might not be a redacted version of Mueller’s report.
Barr noted that the special counsel regulations require Mueller to submit a confidential report to the Justice Department. The rules specify, “At the conclusion of the Special Counsel’s work, he or she shall provide the Attorney General with a confidential report explaining the prosecution or declination decisions reached by the Special Counsel.” Continue reading Trump Russia Probe: ‘The public may never see Mueller’s report;’ Attorney General nominee Barr
More Americans blame President Donald Trump than congressional Democrats for the partial U.S. government
The shutdown was triggered by Trump’s demand, largely opposed by Democrats and some Republicans, that taxpayers provide him with $5 billion to help pay for a wall he wants to build on the Mexican border. Its total estimated cost is $23 billion.
Just 35 percent of those surveyed in the Reuters/Ipsos poll said they backed including money for the wall in a congressional spending bill. Only 25 percent said they supported Trump shutting down the government over the matter.
“One aide said that although Mr. Trump had already seen the resignation letter when he praised Mr. Mattis, the president did not understand just how forceful a rejection of his strategy Mr. Mattis had issued,” the Times reported.
When Trump received the resignation letter he tweeted out his overwhelming support for Mattis for his service and the work he’d done. He called the resignation a “retirement” that Mattis deserved.
“General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my Administration as Secretary of Defense for the past two years. During Jim’s tenure, tremendous progress has been made, especially with respect to the purchase of new fighting equipment. General Mattis was a great help to me in getting allies and other countries to pay their share of military obligations. A new Secretary of Defense will be named shortly. I greatly thank Jim for his service!” Trump tweeted.
General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my Administration as Secretary of Defense for the past two years. During Jim’s tenure, tremendous progress has been made, especially with respect to the purchase of new fighting….
“When President Obama ingloriously fired Jim Mattis, I gave him a second chance. Some thought I shouldn’t, I thought I should. Interesting relationship-but I also gave all of the resources that he never really had. Allies are very important-but not when they take advantage of U.S.,” Trump tweeted Saturday.
