Politics
Redacted Mueller report coming ‘within a week,’ Barr says
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr told Congress Tuesday he expects to release his redacted version of the special counsel’s Trump-Russia investigation report “within a week,” while Democrats criticized his handling of the long-awaited document and demanded he turn it over in full.
Barr bluntly defended his dealing with the report and said portions must remain hidden to comply with the law. He said he could be open to eventually releasing some of the redacted material after consulting with congressional leaders, but maintained he had no plans to seek a judge’s approval to disclose grand jury material. Democrats, he said, were “free to go to court” on their own to ask for it.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said he could issue subpoenas “very quickly” if Robert Mueller’s report is released with redactions after Democrats failed “to reach an accommodation with the attorney general under which we would see the report and the underlying evidence.” He said of Barr: “He has been unresponsive to our requests.”
The attorney general appeared before a House appropriations subcommittee to discuss his department’s budget request — normally a sleepy affair — but Democrats, in particular, were more interested in asking questions about the report. While opening the hearing, subcommittee Chairman Jose Serrano of New York called it “the elephant in the room.”
Barr wouldn’t discuss the substance of the special counsel’s investigation into possible connections between Russia and Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, but he did explain some of what to expect when the report is released: He said the redactions will be color-coded and accompanied by notes explaining any decisions to withhold information.
“This process is going along very well and my original timetable of being able to release this by mid-April stands,” Barr said.
Congress, the White House and the American public have been anxiously waiting for Barr to release the report since special counsel Mueller concluded his investigation and sent it to the attorney general more than two weeks ago. Justice Department officials are scouring the nearly 400-page document to remove grand jury information and details relating to pending investigations, among other materials.
Democrats say they will not accept any redactions.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Democrats said they were concerned that a four-page summary letter of the report’s main conclusions Barr released last month portrayed the findings in an overly favorable way for President Trump. The letter said that Mueller did not find a criminal conspiracy between Russia and Trump associates in the 2016 campaign, and that Barr did not believe the evidence in the report was sufficient to prove the president had obstructed justice.
Barr said “the letter speaks for itself” and revealed that he gave Mueller an opportunity to review the letter but the special counsel declined.
Rep. Nita Lowey, the Democratic chairwoman of the full Appropriations Committee, said she was taken aback that Barr had reduced Mueller’s report to a four-page letter in just two days. “Even for someone who has done this job before, I would argue it’s more suspicious than impressive,” Lowey said, referring to Barr’s first tenure as attorney general in the early 1990s.
Barr said, “I felt I should state bottom-line conclusions, and I tried to use special counsel Mueller’s own language in doing that.”
Asked about reports that members of Mueller’s legal team were unhappy with his handling of the report, Barr said he suspected any discontent may have reflected their desire to put out more information.
Republicans defended Barr, with Alabama Rep. Robert Aderholt comparing Democrats’ questions to theories surrounding President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 assassination. “So many of the questions here today have gone toward a grassy knoll conspiracy theory,” Aderholt said.
Across the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he had no concerns with the handling of the report: “I think it really comes down to a question of whether you trust Bill Barr or not. And I do.”
Barr said in the summary released last month that Mueller did not reach a conclusion on whether the president obstructed justice, instead presenting evidence on both sides of the question. Barr said he and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein decided that the evidence was insufficient to establish obstruction.
Facing the intensifying concerns from Democrats that he may have whitewashed Mueller’s findings, Barr has moved to defend, or at least explain, his handling of the process since receiving the special counsel’s report. He said in a March 29 letter that he did not intend for his brief summary of Mueller’s main conclusions to be an “exhaustive recounting” of his work.
He is likely to be asked to further explain himself at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing Wednesday, though it’s unclear how much more he will say. At one point in the House hearing, he tried to cut off any more questions on the subject.
“I’m not going to discuss it any further until after the report is out,” he said.
Barr said he would elaborate at hearings scheduled by the House and Senate Judiciary committees at the beginning of next month.
Crimes and Courts
Florida Creates Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, Appoints Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Fraud
Florida
Former Property Appraiser Rick Singh Launches Clerk of Courts Bid, Passes on Mayor and CFO Races
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Rick Singh, a U.S. Army veteran, business leader and former Orange County property appraiser, has announced his candidacy for Orange County Clerk of Courts, outlining a platform focused on efficiency, modernization and improved customer service.
While some observers expected Singh to pursue higher-profile offices such as Orange County mayor, Florida chief financial officer or Congress, his decision to run for Clerk of Courts reflects a focus on operational leadership and improving local government services.
“I’m running to make government work faster, smarter and more efficiently for the people of Orange County,” Singh said. “Residents deserve a Clerk’s Office that is responsive, transparent and built for today’s needs.”
PLAN TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE SERVICES
Singh outlined several immediate priorities if elected, including upgrading technology and expanding digital access.
“We will modernize the system by reducing long lines, enhancing online services and making it easier for residents to access records, make payments and interact with the Clerk’s Office,” Singh said.
His plan includes improving website and mobile access, streamlining in-person services and reducing wait times for residents.
FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
In addition to modernization, Singh said he will prioritize operational improvements and customer service reforms.
“We will overhaul customer service to prioritize speed, respect and accountability,” Singh said. “That includes auditing operations to eliminate delays and inefficiencies that frustrate residents.”
Singh emphasized that creating a more efficient and user-friendly experience will be a top priority from day one.
EXPERIENCE, INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVE FIELD
During his tenure as property appraiser, Singh led the office with the scope and visibility of a countywide constitutional role, implementing reforms that improved transparency, accuracy and efficiency.
His annual “State of Orange County Real Estate” events drew thousands of attendees, including elected officials, real estate professionals, financial leaders and community stakeholders, positioning the office as a key platform for economic insight and public engagement.
Supporters point to Singh’s track record of innovation — including modernizing systems and improving operational performance — as a model for how he would lead the Clerk of Courts office.
“I’ve led a large countywide office and delivered results,” Singh said. “I’m ready to bring that same level of leadership, innovation and accountability to the Clerk of Courts.”
His entry into the race adds to an already competitive field that includes Maribel Gomez Cordero, a current county commissioner and former vice mayor, and Emily Bonilla, a former commissioner and vice mayor, both of whom bring experience in local government leadership and community engagement.
APOPKA, Fla. (FNN) — Apopka voters have elected Nick Nesta as the city’s next mayor following a decisive runoff victory over Christine Moore.
Nesta, a current Apopka city commissioner, secured 61.94% of the vote, defeating Moore, who received 38.06%, according to unofficial results with all precincts reporting. Voter turnout was approximately 20%, based on data from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections.
LANDSLIDE RUNOFF VICTORY
Nesta’s win marks a significant political shift in the city of about 60,000 residents in northwest Orange County. The two candidates advanced to the runoff after emerging as the top vote-getters in the initial election, which unseated incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson.
The margin of victory — nearly 62% — underscores strong voter support for Nesta’s campaign message and leadership vision.
CAMPAIGN DYNAMICS AND VOTER RESPONSE
Despite Moore receiving endorsements from prominent leaders and organizations, including the Orlando Sentinel, voters ultimately favored Nesta’s platform.
Observers say the results suggest local voters prioritized campaign messaging and community connection over high-profile endorsements, including that of the outgoing Apopka mayor, whom voters rejected in the initial election.
IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE ELECTIONS
Nesta’s victory could offer insight into voter sentiment ahead of the August 2026 primary elections across Orange County and beyond.
Political analysts note that the outcome may signal a broader trend in which voters are responding more strongly to local issues and candidate engagement than to traditional political backing.
Nesta is set to assume leadership of Apopka as the city continues to address growth, infrastructure and community development priorities.
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