Barr defends aggressive federal response to protests
4 years, 5 months ago

Barr defends aggressive federal response to protests

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr defended the aggressive federal law enforcement response to civil unrest in America as he testified for the first time before the House Judiciary Committee, pushing back against angry, skeptical Democrats who said President Donald Trump’s administration is unconstitutionally suppressing dissent. But Barr said “violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests” and argued the violence taking place in Portland, Oregon, and other cities is disconnected from Floyd’s killing, which he called a “horrible” event that prompted a necessary national reckoning on the relationship between the Black community and law enforcement. “Largely absent from these scenes of destruction are even superficial attempts by the rioters to connect their actions to George Floyd’s death or any legitimate call for reform,” Barr said of the Portland protests. Nadler said Barr had “aided and abetted” Trump’s worst impulses and excoriated him and the Justice Department for turning a blind eye to necessary reforms to police departments, for dismissing Black Lives Matter protests and for flooding streets with federal agents to stop protesters.

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History of this topic

Bill Barr endorsed Trump after years of criticism. Trump responded by brutally taunting him
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Bill Barr endorsed Trump after years of criticism. Trump responded by brutally taunting him

Salon  

Bill Barr, the U.S. Attorney General under former President Donald Trump — who once called his former boss "erratic" and "petty" and dismissed his false claims of a stolen 2020 election — told Fox News that he would still vote for the former president in November. "The real danger to the country — the real danger to democracy, as I …

Bill Barr made Justice Department Trump's 'personal protection racket': NY Times columnist
1 year, 11 months ago

Bill Barr made Justice Department Trump's 'personal protection racket': NY Times columnist

Raw Story  

David Firestone returned toThe New York Times editorial board this week to pen a column declaring it impossible for former Attorney General Bill Barr to repair his damaged image, particularly after the information about his Justice Department's corruption. "These reports about abuses in Special Counsel Durham’s investigation — so outrageous that even his longtime colleagues quit in protest — are …

Trump Should 'Stand Aside,' Doesn't Have What It Takes, William Barr Says In Interview
2 years, 1 month ago

Trump Should 'Stand Aside,' Doesn't Have What It Takes, William Barr Says In Interview

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Former U.S. Attorney General William Barr said in an interview that aired Friday on PBS that his former boss, Donald Trump, should “stand aside” and forego his campaign for another presidential term because he doesn’t have what it takes. As for another run at the presidency, Trump “failed” the first time, Barr told news host Margaret Hoover …

Opinion: Bill Barr’s despicable conduct is now on full display
3 years, 7 months ago

Opinion: Bill Barr’s despicable conduct is now on full display

CNN  

Editor’s Note: In this weekly column “Cross Exam,” Elie Honig, a CNN senior legal analyst and former federal and state prosecutor, gives his take on the latest legal news. Federal judges nominated to the bench by presidents of both political parties have found that Barr “lack … candor”; that his public and in-court statements were “disingenuous,” “incomplete,” “inconsistent” with truth …

Bill Barr: 'Other than slavery' coronavirus lockdowns are worst 'intrusion on civil liberties' in history
4 years, 3 months ago

Bill Barr: 'Other than slavery' coronavirus lockdowns are worst 'intrusion on civil liberties' in history

Raw Story  

Attorney General Bill Barr celebrated Constitution Day at Hillsdale College saying that the coronavirus lockdown is almost as bad as slavery, in terms of civil liberties. CNN reported the event Wednesday night after Barr's statements, saying that it was a four-minute response where he said governors were using executive powers to muzzle citizens and businesses from reopening while the pandemic …

Bill Barr wanted to arrest a city's mayor for trying to keep police and protesters apart
4 years, 3 months ago

Bill Barr wanted to arrest a city's mayor for trying to keep police and protesters apart

Raw Story  

While Attorney General Bill Barr was outed for trying to charge protesters with sedition, it appears he also wanted to indict Seattle's mayor. The New York Times reported Wednesday that Barr was livid that Mayor Jenny Durkan created "protest zones," to keep protesters isolated in a specific area and away from police. "But in suggesting possible prosecution of Ms. Durkan, …

Barr presses for federal arrests of some George Floyd protesters
4 years, 3 months ago

Barr presses for federal arrests of some George Floyd protesters

Al Jazeera  

The Trump administration has already arrested more than 300 protesters since the death of George Floyd. Barr pushed his US attorneys to bring federal charges whenever they could, keeping a grip on cases even if a defendant could be tried instead in state court, according to officials with knowledge of last week’s call who were not authorised to publicly discuss …

Barr defends Dept of Justice intervening in Trump defamation case
4 years, 4 months ago

Barr defends Dept of Justice intervening in Trump defamation case

Al Jazeera  

Barr says the case should go to federal court, as it involves rape allegation denials made by Trump while president. It is done frequently.” The filing came one month after a New York state judge rejected Trump’s bid to delay the case, putting Carroll’s lawyers in a position to have Trump answer questions under oath, perhaps before the November 3 …

Barr, Absent From RNC, Is Very Much Present As Part Of Trump Reelection Bid
4 years, 4 months ago

Barr, Absent From RNC, Is Very Much Present As Part Of Trump Reelection Bid

NPR  

Barr, Absent From RNC, Is Very Much Present As Part Of Trump Reelection Bid Enlarge this image toggle caption Matt McClain/AP Matt McClain/AP Attorney General William Barr did not speak at the Republican National Convention this week, but that doesn't mean he's been sitting silently on the sidelines during this election season. "Barr is free to have any views he …

Head of Black policing group confronts Barr over denial of systemic racism
4 years, 4 months ago

Head of Black policing group confronts Barr over denial of systemic racism

CNN  

CNN — The head of a national Black policing group confronted Attorney General William Barr over his denial of the existence of systemic racism in law enforcement on Monday at a meeting at the Justice Department. “That, sir, is systematic racism.” Steady positions On Monday, responding to Williams, whose nearly 30 years at the Secret Service included stints in White …

Attorney General Barr Defends His Decisions And DOJ Actions Before The House
4 years, 5 months ago

Attorney General Barr Defends His Decisions And DOJ Actions Before The House

NPR  

Attorney General Barr Defends His Decisions And DOJ Actions Before The House Attorney General William Barr testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, defending the use of federal agents in Portland, Ore., and his decision to drop the case against Michael Flynn. Attorney General Bill Barr clashed with Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee over how he has run …

Attorney General Barr clashes with Democrats over policing and Roger Stone sentencing at fiery Hill hearing
4 years, 5 months ago

Attorney General Barr clashes with Democrats over policing and Roger Stone sentencing at fiery Hill hearing

CNN  

CNN — House Democrats clashed Tuesday with Attorney General William Barr at a contentious hearing where they argued over the Justice Department’s deployment of federal officers to cities and the use of force against protesters, Barr’s intervention in the prosecution of two allies of President Donald Trump and numerous other issues. House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New …

Barr calls Russia scandal ‘bogus,’ says he acts independently of Trump in blistering opening statement
4 years, 5 months ago

Barr calls Russia scandal ‘bogus,’ says he acts independently of Trump in blistering opening statement

CNN  

CNN — Attorney General William Barr accuses congressional Democrats of seeking to discredit him because of his investigation into the origins of the FBI’s Russia probe, in a combative opening statement for Tuesday’s hearing before the House Judiciary Committee. In his opening statement, Barr said the President “has not attempted to interfere” in the criminal decisions he’s made, which would …

Justice Dept. Officials Deliver Stinging Testimony Claiming Politicization Under Barr
4 years, 6 months ago

Justice Dept. Officials Deliver Stinging Testimony Claiming Politicization Under Barr

New York Times  

Barr’s actions make clear that in his Department of Justice, the president’s allies get special treatment. The sickness that we must address is Mr. Barr’s use of the Department of Justice as a weapon to serve the president’s petty private interests. Bill Barr is going to get to the truth.” “— And to an ever greater and quite shocking extent …

Trump’s chilling distortion of ‘law and order’
4 years, 6 months ago

Trump’s chilling distortion of ‘law and order’

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Julian Zelizer, a CNN political analyst, is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University and author of the forthcoming book, “Burning Down the House: Newt Gingrich, the Fall of a Speaker, and the Rise of the New Republican Party.” Follow him on Twitter: @julianzelizer. CNN — US Attorney General William Barr triggered yet another firestorm …

AG William Barr again defends law enforcement’s force in controversial removal of peaceful protesters in DC
4 years, 7 months ago

AG William Barr again defends law enforcement’s force in controversial removal of peaceful protesters in DC

CNN  

CNN — Attorney General Bill Barr during an interview Sunday again defended the actions of federal law enforcement officers who forcefully cleared peaceful protesters in Washington on Monday, but he offered different reasons as to why force was used. Barr, in his interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” said the protesters were moved because the Park Police wanted a larger …

Barr attempts to distance himself from removal of peaceful protesters before Trump photo-op
4 years, 7 months ago

Barr attempts to distance himself from removal of peaceful protesters before Trump photo-op

CNN  

CNN — Attorney General William Barr on Friday tried to distance himself from law enforcement’s violent confrontation and removal of peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square earlier this week, saying he did not give the final order to clear the demonstration even as the White House has placed the decision on Barr’s shoulders amid ongoing fallout. Barr’s order CNN previously reported …

Attorney General Barr Defends Response To Protests Near The White House
4 years, 7 months ago

Attorney General Barr Defends Response To Protests Near The White House

NPR  

Attorney General Barr Defends Response To Protests Near The White House Enlarge this image toggle caption Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Updated at 3:15 p.m. Speaking at a news conference Thursday with other law enforcement officials, Barr said that it is "undeniable that many African Americans lack confidence in our American criminal justice system," adding, …

How Barr’s experience as AG during the LA riots previewed Trump’s actions against protesters
4 years, 7 months ago

How Barr’s experience as AG during the LA riots previewed Trump’s actions against protesters

CNN  

Washington CNN — In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Attorney General Bill Barr has found himself in a similar place he was in 28 years ago – serving as the country’s chief law enforcement officer and trying to quell a demonstration rooted in racial strife, using a similar type of force against Americans who had watched video of a …

Barr Has Considered Resigning Over Trump's Remarks
4 years, 10 months ago

Barr Has Considered Resigning Over Trump's Remarks

NPR  

Barr Has Considered Resigning Over Trump's Remarks Enlarge this image toggle caption Susan Walsh/AP Susan Walsh/AP Attorney General William Barr has told people close to him that he has considered resigning over his growing frustration with President Trump and the president's public statements about the Justice Department and its ongoing cases, an administration official tells NPR. Sponsor Message In an …

US attorney-general William Barr issues rare rebuke of Donald Trump, says justice department tweets 'make it impossible to do my job'
4 years, 10 months ago

US attorney-general William Barr issues rare rebuke of Donald Trump, says justice department tweets 'make it impossible to do my job'

Firstpost  

William Barr, the country’s top law enforcement officer, said Donald Trump’s criticism of those involved in the case of Roger Stone “make it impossible for me to do my job.” Washington: Attorney General William Barr said on Thursday that President Donald Trump’s attacks on prosecutors, the judge and jurors in the trial of a longtime adviser undermined the justice department’s …

Barr swipes at Trump: Tweets make it ‘impossible’ to do job
4 years, 10 months ago

Barr swipes at Trump: Tweets make it ‘impossible’ to do job

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr publicly swiped at President Donald Trump on Thursday, declaring the president’s tweets about Justice Department prosecutors and open cases “make it impossible for me to do my job.” Barr made the comment during an interview with ABC News just days after his Justice Department overruled its own prosecutors — who had recommended in a …

Barr Accuses Democrats Of Trying To 'Cripple' The Trump Administration's Power
5 years, 1 month ago

Barr Accuses Democrats Of Trying To 'Cripple' The Trump Administration's Power

NPR  

Barr Accuses Democrats Of Trying To 'Cripple' The Trump Administration's Power Enlarge this image toggle caption Ed Zurga/Getty Images Ed Zurga/Getty Images Attorney General William Barr vociferously attacked Democratic lawmakers and federal judges on Friday and accused them of trying to limit Trump's presidential power. Sponsor Message Kinkopf said he felt Barr was making "a very dangerous suggestion that dissent …

James Comey blasts William Barr’s defense of Trump — and says there is enough evidence to charge him
5 years, 8 months ago

James Comey blasts William Barr’s defense of Trump — and says there is enough evidence to charge him

Salon  

Two years after his firing by President Donald Trump, former FBI Director James Comey sat down with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Thursday night for a town hall discussion about the Russia investigation and related matters. “That’s just crazy and a recipe for lawlessness.” He later added that Barr’s public discussions about the report have been “less than honorable” and that …

Barr Standoff Escalates Confrontation Between White House And Congress
5 years, 8 months ago

Barr Standoff Escalates Confrontation Between White House And Congress

NPR  

Barr Standoff Escalates Confrontation Between White House And Congress Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP Attorney General William Barr's refusal to appear before the House Judiciary Committee did accomplish one thing, according to Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler requesting staff lawyers question the attorney general was a …

Barr besieged by allegations he’s being Trump’s protector
5 years, 8 months ago

Barr besieged by allegations he’s being Trump’s protector

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr portrayed himself as an apolitical elder statesman at his confirmation hearing. His appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week accelerated calls for his resignation after he said Trump had been falsely accused and he spun politically damning episodes in Mueller’s report in the president’s favor. He was Mueller’s Justice Department boss back then, …

The attorney general Trump wanted: A look at Barr’s rhetoric
5 years, 8 months ago

The attorney general Trump wanted: A look at Barr’s rhetoric

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump has found the attorney general he’s wanted all along. In explaining his decision that Trump didn’t commit a crime, Barr said he was swayed by how the president was “falsely accused” in the Russia investigation. Referring to a letter Mueller sent him complaining about his handling of the Russia report, Barr called it “snitty.” The special …

Barr's Record On Mass Incarceration Comes Under Scrutiny In Confirmation Hearing
5 years, 11 months ago

Barr's Record On Mass Incarceration Comes Under Scrutiny In Confirmation Hearing

NPR  

Barr's Record On Mass Incarceration Comes Under Scrutiny In Confirmation Hearing Enlarge this image toggle caption Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Two portraits of William Barr emerged during the second day of his confirmation hearing to lead the Justice Department as President Trump's choice as attorney general. "As attorney general, championed mass incarceration and deprived countless persons of color …

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