McConnell calls for releasing as much of Mueller's report as possible

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell: 'It never occurred to me' convincing Americans to get vaccinated would be difficult The 17 Republicans who voted to advance the Senate infrastructure bill Senate votes to take up infrastructure deal MORE (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he wants special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) MuellerSenate Democrats urge Garland not to fight court order to release Trump obstruction memo Why a special counsel is guaranteed if Biden chooses Yates, Cuomo or Jones as AG Barr taps attorney investigating Russia probe origins as special counsel MORE's report on the Russia investigation to be as "open" as possible.

 

"Obviously I would like for as much as possible of the Mueller report to be open. I don't know enough about Justice Department regulations to know what part of that, you know, might make sense not to be disclosed," McConnell told reporters.

 

"I think it ought to be as fully open and transparent, whatever the recommendation is, as possible," he added.

 

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers, Sens. Chuck GrassleyChuck GrassleyThe 17 Republicans who voted to advance the Senate infrastructure bill Senate votes to take up infrastructure deal Capitol insurrection hearing exposes Trumpworld delusions MORE (R-Iowa) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), introduced legislation on Monday that would require Mueller, or any other Justice Department special counsel, to turn over a report to Congress once the investigation ends or if they are removed or fired. An unclassified version of the report would also be publicly released.

 

McConnell was asked about the Grassley-Blumenthal bill but didn't indicate whether or not he supported it.

 

Currently under Justice Department guidelines, a special counsel sends a confidential report to the attorney general “explaining the prosecution or declination decisions reached” during an investigation.

 

But the Justice Department would likely face intense pressure from both parties to make at least part of Mueller's report public. The Russia probe has been a years-long drama and source of intrigue that has dominated much of the Trump administration.

 

Trump's attorney general nominee William Barr told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing earlier this month that it was his “intent” to release as much about Mueller’s findings as he can consistent with the law. But he stopped short of pledging to release the report in its entirety.

 

“My goal will be to provide as much transparency as I can, consistent with the law,” Barr told lawmakers. “I can assure you that, where judgments are to be made, I will make those judgments based solely on the law and I will not let personal, political or other improper interests influence my decision.”

 

Democrats have raised concerns that Barr, or Trump, could try to block the report from being released.

 

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamThe 17 Republicans who voted to advance the Senate infrastructure bill Senate votes to take up infrastructure deal Senators say they have deal on 'major issues' in infrastructure talks MORE (R-S.C.), the Judiciary Committee chairman, said during a hearing on Tuesday that Barr, if confirmed, would have "discretion" about how Mueller's report is released but said he would "just trust the guy to make good judgements."