It really wasn’t up to Hur. He could only recommend and send his report to the AG.
It’s the AG that decides to release the report.
I’m guessing Garland allowed it to be released as there was no recommendation for prosecution.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/28/600.8
c) Closing documentation. At the conclusion of the Special Counsel’s work, he or she shall provide the Attorney General with a confidential report explaining the prosecution or declination decisions reached by the Special Counsel.
It’s the DOJ (actually AG) that determines. The SC can recommend but the the AG decides.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/28/600.9
(c) The Attorney General may determine that public release of these reports would be in the public interest, to the extent that release would comply with applicable legal restrictions. All other releases of information by any Department of Justice employee, including the Special Counsel and staff, concerning matters handled by Special Counsels shall be governed by the generally applicable Departmental guidelines concerning public comment with respect to any criminal investigation, and relevant law.
thanx for such specific detail on the Hur Report process.
fwiw: I caught a little of Levin on drive time on the way home last night & he allowed that DOJ procedure also includes sending the target of the investigation a final draft prior to any release.
levin went on to say that after reviewing the draft, the WH lawyer requested Hur make several edits. which was unusual & best I can remember, Hur did not alter his final draft to reflect the WH’s requested edits.