U.S. AG tells Congress to expect redacted version of Mueller report by mid-April

WASHINGTON, March 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Attorney General (AG) William Barr told Congress on Friday to expect a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's confidential report on the Russia investigation by mid-April, "if not sooner."

"We are preparing the report for release, making redactions that are required," Barr said in a letter to top Democrats and Republicans on the Senate and House Judiciary committees. "Everyone will soon be able to read it on their own."

The attorney general also said Mueller is assisting the process, while offering to appear before both committees to testify about the report on May 1 and May 2.

The special counsel wrapped up his nearly two-year investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election by submitting a report to Barr last week.

Barr later sent Congress and made public a four-page summary of the report's "principal conclusions," saying that there was no evidence of collusion between U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign and the Russian government.

The special counsel did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump had obstructed justice, according to Barr's synopsis. The attorney general said Mueller's findings are "not sufficient" to support a charge.

Democrats are pushing for a complete release of Mueller's report as well as Barr's appearance before Congress to get a clearer picture of the special counsel's investigation.

Barr said in his letter on Friday that certain information must be redacted before the report, nearly 400 pages long, is released.

He also said there are no plans to submit the report to the White House for "a privilege review."

Trump told reporters on Friday he has "great confidence" in Barr.

"And if that's what he'd like to do, I have nothing to hide," the president, who's at his Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, state of Florida, added.

Mueller took over the Russia investigation in May 2017 after Trump abruptly fired former FBI Director James Comey, a move that raised questions about his potential obstruction of justice.

The investigation led to felony charges against 34 people, including six Trump associates and advisers, and three entities. Russia has denied any meddling.

Trump has touted Barr's summary as a "complete exoneration."