Attorney General Bill Barr has been briefing the White House prior to Thursday's public release of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on President Donald Trump's campaign colluding with Russia and obstruction of justice, The New York Timesreported Wednesday.
"Justice Department officials have had numerous conversations with White House lawyers about the conclusions made by Mr. Mueller, the special counsel, in recent days, according to people with knowledge of the discussions," The Times noted. "The talks have aided the president’s legal team as it prepares a rebuttal to the report and strategizes for the coming public war over its findings."
The impending public release is causing even more chaos in the West Wing.
"A sense of paranoia is taking hold among some of Mr. Trump’s aides, some of whom fear his backlash more than the findings themselves, the people said. The report might make clear which of Mr. Trump’s current and former advisers spoke to the special counsel, how much they said and how much damage they did to the president — providing a kind of road map for retaliation," The Times reported.
Barr's decision is likely to increase criticism of his tenure as attorney general.
"The discussions between Justice Department officials and White House lawyers have also added to questions about the propriety of the decisions by Attorney General William P. Barr since he received Mr. Mueller’s findings late last month," The Times noted. "The discussions between Justice Department officials and White House lawyers have also added to questions about the propriety of the decisions by Attorney General William P. Barr since he received Mr. Mueller’s findings late last month."
