Can House Dems Convince A Judge To Release Mueller Grand Jury Materials?

on December 20, 2018 in Washington, DC. — WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 20: Ranking member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), prepares to question Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen during a House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill, December 20, 2018 in Washingto... WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 20: Ranking member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), prepares to question Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen during a House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill, December 20, 2018 in Washington, DC. The committee heard testimony about oversight of the department. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) MORE LESS

April 3, 2019 2:30 p.m.

Looming over House Democrats’ quest to see the full Robert Mueller report is whether they’ll able to get a judge’s permission to see the grand jury materials within it.

Opinions among legal experts vary on how likely it is that House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) will be able to convince a judge to authorize the release the materials, which Attorney General Bill Barr has said he will withhold due federal law mandating that they stay secret.

The most oft-cited previous cases where release of grand jury material was allowed — in the Watergate and Ken Starr investigations — aren’t exactly analogous to the current situation. However, there is live litigation around the issue right that might determine how successful Nadler’s pursuit may be, if he chooses to go to court over it.

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