2-Page Version of AG Barr's March 24 Letter
2-Page Version of AG Barr's March 24 Letter
Washington, D.C.
Dear Chairman Graham, Chairman Nadler, Ranking Member Feinstein, and Ranking Member
Collins:
As a supplement to the notification provided on Friday, March 22, 2019, I am writing today to
advise you of the principal conclusions reached by Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III and to
inform you about the status of my initial review of the report he has prepared.
On Friday, the Special Counsel submitted to me a "confidential report explaining the prosecution
or declination decisions” he has reached, as required by 28 C.F.R. 600.8(c). This report is entitled
“Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election.” Below,
I summarize the principal conclusions set out in the Special Counsel's report.
1. [T]he Special Counsel brought criminal charges against a number of Russian nationals and
entities in connection with… attempts by a Russian organization, the Internet Research
Agency (IRA), to conduct disinformation and social media operations in the United States
designed to sow social discord, eventually with the aim of interfering with the election.
2. [T]he Special Counsel brought criminal charges against a number of Russian military
officers for conspiring to hack into computers in the United States for purposes of
influencing the election.
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3. The Special Counsel's investigation did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone
associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia in its efforts to influence the 2016
U.S. presidential election. As the report states: “[T]he investigation did not establish that
members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government
in its election interference activities.”
Obstruction of Justice.
Based on my discussions with the Special Counsel and my initial review, it is apparent that the
report contains material that is or could be subject to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e),
which imposes restrictions on the use and disclosure of information relating to “matter[s] occurring
before [a] grand jury.” I have requested the assistance of the Special Counsel in identifying all 6(e)
information contained in the report as quickly as possible. Separately, I also must identify any
information that could impact other ongoing matters, including those that the Special Counsel has
referred to other offices. As soon as that process is complete, I will be in a position to move forward
expeditiously in determining what can be released in light of applicable law, regulations, and
Departmental policies.
As I observed in my initial notification, the Special Counsel regulations provide that “the Attorney
General may determine that public release of” notifications to your respective Committees “would
be in the public interest.” 28 C.F.R. § 600.9(c). I have so determined, and I will disclose this letter
to the public after delivering it to you.
Sincerely,
William P. Barr
Attorney General