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Mueller report on Russia and Trump delivered to AG Barr

It isn't clear whether the report will be made public.

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3 min read
Mueller Testifies At Senate FBI Oversight Hearing
Alex Wong / Getty Images

Special counsel Robert Mueller submitted his report on the Russia investigation to Attorney General William Barr on Friday, sparking calls from prominent politicians to release it publicly. 

The report, nearly two years in the making, is expected to include findings on whether Trump's campaign worked with the Russian government to help him win the presidential election in 2016. Mueller was appointed special counsel on May 17, 2017.

Barr informed chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees about the conclusion of Mueller's investigation. He added that he's committed to being as transparent as possible. 

"The special counsel has submitted to me today a 'confidential report explaining the prosecution or declination decisions' he has reached," Barr wrote. "I am reviewing the report and anticipate that I may be in a position to advise you of the special counsel's principal conclusions as soon as this weekend."

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted: "The next steps are up to Attorney General Barr, and we look forward to the process taking its course. The White House has not received or been briefed on the Special Counsel's report."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement that Americans have a right to know what's in it.

"Now that Special Counsel Mueller has submitted his report to the Attorney General, it is imperative for Mr. Barr to make the full report public and provide its underlying documentation and findings to Congress," Pelosi said.

Pelosi also tweeted the report should be made public using the hashtag #ReleaseTheReport.

Politico shared a video on Twitter in which Sen. Schumer said public pressure will force the report to be made public. "The demand of the public is overwhelming to see the report when it's on such a serious matter, and it will be made public," he said.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, the upper chamber's majority leader, tweeted a link to a statement expressing hope Barr will provide as much information as he can "with as much openness and transparency as possible." 

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham said in a statement that he expects to be "briefed more thoroughly about the report in the coming days."

Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, called in a tweet for the report to be released, adding "No one, including the president, is above the law."

Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, also called for the report to be released. Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, tweeted, "By law, that evidence he uncovered must be shared with our Committee."

Throughout the investigation, Mueller's office announced multiple indictments, including charges against 12 Russian hackers tied to cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee and 13 Russian nationals for spreading disinformation on social media.

First published March 22 at 2:33 p.m. PT.
Update, 2:53 p.m: Adds additional information. Update: 3:22 p.m.: Adds comments from Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. Update: 3:41 p.m.: Adds comments from Mitch McConnell and Bernie Sanders. Update, 4:06 p.m.: Adds comment from Lindsey Graham. Update, 4:58 p.m.: Adds additional comment from Schumer. Update, 6:05 p.m.: Adds comment from Adam Schiff.