The department refused to do so for months, including after Merrick Garland was confirmed as attorney general on March 10. On April 6, for example, lawyers for the Times met with four career Justice Department lawyers from the office of the U.S. attorney for D.C. and from the Justice Department’s national security division — Gregg Maisel, Tejpal Chawla, Jay Bratt and Adam Small — a person familiar with the matter said. The Times lawyers tried to persuade those representing the government to abandon their effort, citing the opportunity for a fresh start with the new administration, according to a person familiar with the meeting.

Source: Washington Post June 05, 2021 23:37 UTC