During a recent congressional hearing, Mr. Hur, who conducted a one-year investigation, revealed details about his interactions with the White House and the White House counsel's office. He confirmed receiving multiple letters from the White House counsel's office and the president's personal counsel during the course of the investigation.
Mr. Hur disclosed that a draft of the report was provided to the White House counsel's office and the president's personal counsel team for review before its public release. He acknowledged that the White House had requested edits and changes to the draft report, including disputing the assessment of the president's memory.
Interestingly, it was revealed that the White House had also corresponded with other officials, such as the associate deputy attorney general and the attorney general, expressing concerns and seeking modifications to the report. Despite these communications, Mr. Hur maintained that the White House was within its rights to engage with various government entities regarding the investigation.
Throughout the hearing, Mr. Hur emphasized that he had followed the special counsel regulations and had engaged in numerous communications with the White House during the investigation. He noted that the attorney general provided oversight of his work, as outlined in the regulations.
The exchange during the hearing shed light on the complex dynamics between the investigative team and the White House, highlighting the interactions and feedback sought by the White House on the investigative report. The revelations underscored the intricate relationship between the executive branch and independent investigations, sparking further discussion among lawmakers present at the hearing.
