This threatens to undermine essential purpose for which the department appointed the special counsel to assure full Public Confidence in the outcome of the investigations. Mueller did not leave it at that. The special counsel requested that barr release the introductions and executive summaries that they prepared from his 448page report and even suggested some redactions to make that possible. Senior Justice Department officials were reportedly shocked by muellers letter. A day after the letter was spent, barr and mueller spoke by phone for about 15 minutes, according to Law Enforcement officials. In that call, mueller said he was concerned that News Coverage of the obstruction investigation was misguided and creating public misunderstandings about the offices work, according to Justice Department officials. Mueller reportedly did not claim barrs letter was inaccurate, but the summary letter was being misinterpreted. Quote, throughout the conversation, muellers main worry was that the
Manafort, President Trumps former campaign chief. But what is not redacted really tells us a lot here. Mueller says that he has documented evidence that manafort lied when he denied having contact with Trump Administration officials. Mueller says that in may 2018, after he was indicted, he reached out to the Trump Administration and then lied about it. Manafort began talking with Konstantin Kilimnik. Weve learned that rick gates, manaforts associate is still cooperating with muellers team, which means the investigation may be far from over. And also today, at the confirmation hearing of william barr, President Trumps nominee to be attorney general, he told the Senate Judiciary committee that he would not interfere with muellers investigation, and that he would not be bullied by anyone, including the president. And in a rebuke to the Trump Administration, 11 Senate Republicans joined democrats in a move to stop the administration from easing sanctions on Russian Oligarch oleg deripaska,
Youre looking at a live shot. Were expecting him to come out shortly and possibly speak to reporters. Well bring you that when he does. There is also fallout from the summary of the attorney generals. Robert mueller told attorney general barr he would not reach a conclusion in an obstruction of justice case against the president. That would be left up to barr. Also, the latest on efforts by democrats to make the full report public. But senator Mitch Mcconnell blocked a move. So theres that. And we have key answers, but a lot of questions remain. The first big answer being this. Taken from attorney general barrs release, the investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the russian government in its election interference activities. That is both legally and politically enormous. Insufficient evidence to make a case against the president or people close to him for criminal conspiracy with the russian government during the 2016 election.
22month long investigation. A historic weekend certainly. This hour, attorney general william barr reviewing the highly participated Mueller Report as he decides what to release to congress. Heres what else we know. House democrats will strategize their next move in a Conference Call about three hours from now. Nbc news has learned House Republicans were cautiously optimistic last night during a Conference Call. Barr told congressional leaders yesterday he may release the top conclusions from the Mueller Report as soon as this weekend. As for the white house, it says it has not been briefed on muellers findings. The president is at his Florida Golf Club as supporters seize on reporting that the special counsel is not recommending any further indictments. If theres no collusion that was found, it strongly vindicates President Trump but raises serious questions about who is going to be held accountable at the fbi, the bad act areas that had a political agenda. But this morning, i spoke w
Democrats to discuss their next move. Minutes ago the speaker releasing a letter to her colleagues saying, quote, the American People deserve the truth. Nbc news has learned that ranking House Republicans also jumped on the Conference Call of their own last night. In the meantime, after hearing there will be no more indictments from Robert Mueller, Trump Supporters are taking a victory lap. Are the celebrations premature . Well have Live Team Coverage this hour to break it all down. While we know very Little Things about the findings, here is what we do know right now. Barr says hes reviewing the report and could send principle conclusions some time this weekend. He says the special counsel is not recommending more indictments. After charging 34 people, the president s personal lawyer insists they are not trying to get an early look at all of this. The white house says it has not been briefed on the content of the report. Our correspondents are covering every angle of this big breaking