Nessel on MSNBC: State AGs will use ‘every tool’ to make Mueller report public

Michigan’s Dana Nessel, who was one of 17 state attorneys general to sign onto a statement urging Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report to be made public, said on national TV Sunday that the officials will use “every tool” to ensure transparency.

Nessel appeared on MSNBC with a backdrop of her alma mater, the University of Michigan. She was asked by a host if the attorneys general would go to court to get Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election released publicly. She said the attorneys general are “evaluating their options.

“Speaking for myself and other state AGs, we’re prepared to use every tool in our disposal to make sure that the public at large sees the report that they paid for,” Nessel said.

Late Friday night, a group of AGs from 16 states and the District of Columbia released this statement, as the Advance reported: “As the top law officers in states across the country, we strongly urge United States Attorney General [William] Barr to immediately make public the findings of the Mueller investigation. The American people deserve to know the truth.”

Congress overwhelmingly voted this month urging the same and President Donald Trump earlier this week said he agreed. Although some of the report may be released on Sunday, it’s not clear how much will ultimately be made public, however.

Nessel said that given the fact that at least 34 people have been indicted or pleaded guilty in connection with Mueller’s probe, including six people in Trump’s inner circle, “The American people have the right to know what’s in the report, as does Congress.

“The attorneys general who signed on feel as though it’s incredibly important for the public to know what’s exactly what’s in the report,” she added.

Nessel said that it’s a critical step to transparency and she asked, “How can people have any faith or confidence in their government ever again?” if the report isn’t available in its entirety.

Democrats control the U.S. House, but leaders haven’t indicated they will pursue impeachment, although  U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) said she will introduce a legislation.

Nessel noted that, “I prosecute cases every day” as attorney general. She said that the U.S. House is really the prosecuting agency in the case of impeachment. Therefore, she argued that Barr refusing to turn over all documents would be similar to denying evidence to a prosecutor.