Justice Department asks White House to invoke executive privilege over Mueller report

Multiple reporters tweeted late Tuesday night the Department of Justice is asking the Trump White House to invoke executive privilege over the entire report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, along with all underlying evidence. It's a new defensive move as the House Judiciary Committee prepares a contempt vote against Attorney General Bill Barr.

DOJ says in the letter, "In the face of the Committee's threatened contempt vote the Attorney General will be compelled to request that the President invoke executive privilege with respect to the materials subject to the subpoena," if the House moves forward with contempt process.

READ IT below:

NEWS: DOJ is asking the White House to invoke executive privilege over the entire Mueller report and underlying evidence -- a defensive move as the House Judiciary Committee prepares a contempt vote for AG Barr.

DOJ's letter: pic.twitter.com/od7Sdge3ZV

- Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) May 8, 2019

NEW: DOJ throws down gauntlet. Tells House Judiciary either cancel contempt vote or AG will recommend asserting exec privilege over the Mueller report and underlying docs pic.twitter.com/jNhmOVklSk

- Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) May 8, 2019

DOJ sent letter to House Judiciary Chair @RepJerryNadler threatening if do not cancel the contempt vote tomorrow, Attorney General Barr will recommend President Trump assert executive privilege over the Mueller report + underlying documents. Committee plans to still hold vote. pic.twitter.com/QId1UslQJ8

- Alex Moe (@AlexNBCNews) May 8, 2019