Trump's AG Nominee: It's Vital Mueller Finishes His Report

His prospective boss may not be a fan of the Robert Mueller investigation, but Attorney General nominee William Barr promises that he won't interfere with it. In remarks released Monday ahead of his confirmation hearing before a Senate panel on Tuesday, Barr says it's "vitally important" that Mueller finish his investigation, reports the Wall Street Journal. Barr even referred to Mueller in friendly fashion, having worked with him back in the 1990s when Barr was attorney general. "I will follow the Special Counsel regulations scrupulously and in good faith, and on my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work."

Barr also makes a point to note that Trump "has been steadfast that he was not involved in any collusion with Russian interference in the election," but he adds that it's in everybody's best interest, including the president's, to allow Mueller to complete his investigation. As the AP notes, Trump has complained that his previous attorney general, Jeff Sessions, didn't properly shield him from the Russia investigation, and senators want to make sure that Barr won't try to do a better job on that front. Barr, though, says Trump "sought no assurances, promises, or commitments from me of any kind, either express or implied, and I have not given him any." (More William Barr stories.)