DOJ argues legislators in House should not have access to Mueller's grand jury documents



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The Democrats in the House first complained in July, a few days after Mueller's testimony at Capitol Hill, asking the court to order disclosure of the grand jury's information about the Mueller report to the Judiciary Committee. bedroom. Democrats say they need this information to determine whether or not to initiate impeachment proceedings.

More specifically, lawmakers are seeking the unedited Mueller report, as well as transcripts of grand jury testimony relating to President Donald Trump's knowledge of Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 election and the elections. links between members of his campaign and the Russians. Legislators also want any grand jury to testify to Trump's knowledge of any potential "criminal acts" committed by him or his associates.

In the case, the Ministry of Justice has described the request of the legislator "extraordinary order" too broad.

"The Committee's failure to provide a personalized request accompanied by a concrete explanation of why this material is needed is particularly striking given the extensive investigations that Congress has already conducted on the inference Russian with the election of 2016, gathering information to which the Committee already has access ", the Ministry of Justice wrote.

The Department of Justice argued that the request for the Committee's documents was based on an authorization related to a "judicial process". The department argues that impeachment proceedings before Congress ", including hypothetical dismissal proceedings before the Senate – are not" judicial proceedings "in the plain and ordinary meaning of that term.

When the House Democrats filed their complaint, the Speaker of the Judiciary, Jerry Nadler of New York, and another committee, stated that the court challenge was a new step that indicated that the committee was actively considering the matter. possibility of introducing acts of impeachment.

In the rankings, the Department of Justice grabs the ongoing debate among House Democrats on how to describe their imputation inquiry, citing President Nancy Pelosi's denial that the House was engaged in a litigation process. impeachment.

He also cites comments from House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who earlier this week had suggested that the ongoing efforts within the House Judiciary Committee regarding the scope of the inquest into the matter. impeachment aimed to speed up the judicial process.

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