Donald Trump's lawyers reviewed Mueller report before its public release, AG Barr says

Michael Collins
Updated

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's lawyers saw a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report prior to its release to the public and Congress, Attorney General William Barr acknowledged Thursday.

Speaking at a news conference in Washington, Barr said both the White House counsel's office and the president's personal attorneys requested the chance to review the report and he agreed.

"The president’s personal lawyers were not permitted to make and did not request any redactions," Barr said.

Barr said the request to review the report in advance was consistent with a federal law that allows permitted individuals named in a report prepared by a special counsel the opportunity to read the report before publication.

Attorney General William Barr alongside acting Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Edward O'Callaghan and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein at the Justice Department on April 18, 2019.
Attorney General William Barr alongside acting Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Edward O'Callaghan and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein at the Justice Department on April 18, 2019.

Regardless, the revelation angered congressional Democrats, who have called on Mueller to publicly testify before Congress.

"AG Barr has confirmed the staggering partisan effort by the Trump Admin to spin public’s view of the #MuellerReport – complete with acknowledgment that the Trump team received a sneak preview," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote on Twitter. "It’s more urgent than ever that Special Counsel Mueller testify before Congress."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump's lawyers reviewed Mueller report before its public release, AG Barr says