Apparently they need it for the dead Islamic terrorists in California. They are dead case closed even if its not the NSA been collecting everyone phone data anyway they have this information.
For one I believe they already have access but if they don't why should Apple give that information to those pigs so they can spy on everyone even more than they do?
Added (1). I think they have access but they are trying to lead the public to believe they don't in a op. Or Apple wants to appear like they are not run by the CIA.
Read more:
Should Apple unlock their Iphone for the pigs in the Federal Government?