William Barr says in prepared testimony that Mueller should be allowed to 'complete his work' on the Russia probe

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Attorney General nominee William Barr arrives to meet with Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., on Capitol Hill.

• William Barr, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Justice Department, will tell the Senate Judiciary Committee this week that the special counsel Robert Mueller should be allowed to "complete his work" on the Russia investigation.
• Barr will also tell lawmakers that Congress and the public should be "informed" of the results of Mueller's investigation after it concludes.
• His statements come amid a firestorm surrounding an unsolicited memo he sent to the White House and Justice Department this year in which he called Mueller's obstruction probe "legally insupportable" and said the Justice Department should not support the Russia investigation.
• Barr's confirmation hearing will kick off on Tuesday.

William Barr, President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, will tell the Senate Judiciary Committee this week that the special counsel Robert Mueller should be allowed to conclude the FBI's Russia investigation.

Barr's confirmation hearing will kick off on Tuesday. In prepared remarks released Monday, the former attorney general under President George H.W. Bush said, "On my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work."

Barr's statement comes amid a firestorm surrounding an unsolicited memo he sent to the White House and Justice Department in June in which he called Mueller's obstruction of justice investigation "legally insupportable."

In his 20-page memo, Barr argued that Mueller's obstruction probe is based on an overly expansive reading of the special counsel's powers.

He also wrote that Mueller shouldn't be allowed to demand an interview with Trump about obstruction of justice.

"As I understand it, his theory is premised on a novel and legally insupportable reading of the law," Barr wrote. "Mueller should not be permitted to demand that the President submit to interrogation about alleged obstruction."

The investigation, Barr added, shouldn't be sanctioned by the Justice Department.

Barr appeared to walk back his remarks in his prepared testimony.

"I believe it is in the best interest of everyone - the President, Congress, and, most importantly, the American people - that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work," Barr will say. "The country needs a credible resolution of these issues. If confirmed, I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests, or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation."

Barr will also say that Congress and the public should be "informed of the results" of Mueller's investigation.

"For that reason, my goal will be to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law," he will say. "I can assure you that, where judgments are to be made by me, I will make those judgments based solely on the law and will let no personal, political, or other improper interests influence my decision."