House approves non-binding resolution to make Mueller report public
WASHINGTON – The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives Thursday approved a non-binding resolution to urge Attorney General William Barr to make Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s final report on potential collusion between members of Trump campaign and Russian officials available to the public.
The resolution passed 420-0.
Four Republicans voted present. They include Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.) and Paul Gosar (Ariz.).
Barr assumed office last month. During his confirmation hearing in December Barr came under fire due to a Wall Street Journal report related to an unsolicited memo he sent the Department of Justice last summer. In the memo Barr questioned the merits of Special Mueller investigation.
Barr downplayed the significance of the memo. He told the Senate Judiciary Committee that it offered informal guidance and that such practice is common among former high-ranking DoJ officials.
Barr attempted to allay concerns about Mueller’s continuity in office, telling the committee: “I believe it is vitally important that the Special Counsel be allowed to complete his investigation.”
Barr told the committee he believes Mueller’s report should be made public but suggested some portions may be kept secret. The report is expected to soon be released.
President Trump has adamantly denied allegations of collusion and has repeatedly called Mueller’s investigation a “witch hunt.”
Barr has said he disagrees with Trump’s characterization of the probe.
This article is republished with permission from Talk Media News
Bryan is an award-winning political journalist who has extensive experience covering Congress and Maryland state government.
His work includes coverage of the election of Donald Trump, the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and attorneys general William Barr and Jeff Sessions-as well as that of the Maryland General Assembly, Gov. Larry Hogan, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bryan has broken stories involving athletic and sexual assault scandals with the Baltimore Post-Examiner.
His original UMBC investigation gained international attention, was featured in People Magazine and he was interviewed by ABC’s “Good Morning America” and local radio stations. Bryan broke subsequent stories documenting UMBC’s omission of a sexual assault on their daily crime log and a federal investigation related to the university’s handling of an alleged sexual assault.