Senator Collins’ Statement on Release of Special Counsel Mueller’s Report

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued this statement following the Justice Department’s public release of the report filed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller:

“It is important that the American people be able to review as much of the Special Counsel’s report as possible.  The Attorney General has provided a straightforward explanation for the basis of the report’s redactions and the overall rationale for those decisions.  It is standard practice to protect national security sources and methods and to comply with Justice Department policies.  I am also pleased that congressional leaders will have an opportunity to read most of the unredacted report.

“I will not be commenting on the substance of the more than 400-page report until I have carefully reviewed it.  The thoroughness of Mr. Mueller’s investigation is underscored not only by the length of this report, but by the approximately 500 witnesses interviewed, the 2,800 subpoenas issued, the nearly 500 search warrants secured, and the more than 230 orders for communication records obtained, as well as the 13 requests to foreign governments for evidence.  It also speaks well for the Department of Justice, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and the three Attorneys General who served during this investigation, that there were no instances where the Special Counsel was told that his actions were inappropriate or unwarranted.

“I am also pleased that the Attorney General indicated that he did not have any objection to Mr. Mueller testifying before Congress.  If Mr. Mueller were to testify, it could give the Congress and the American people another opportunity to better understand the facts and conclusions that he reached during his investigation.”