There were already plenty of questions for William Barr about the vast difference between his “summary” of the report from special counsel Robert Mueller and even the redacted version of that report, which was delivered three weeks later. Barr misrepresented the conclusions of the report, and, perhaps more important, he misrepresented the nature of the report, repeatedly trying to turn it into a yes-or-no signal that was clearly never the intention of anyone at the special counsel’s office.
But the overnight release of news that Robert Mueller contacted Barr to express his distress over Barr’s failure to accurately report “the context, nature, and substance” of the report has turned the dial up to 11. Not only did Barr misrepresent the report in every way, not only did he create a false narrative that an impeachment document was a get-out-of-everything free card for Trump, but Barr flat-out lied to Congress about his interactions with the special counsel.
Like that. Barr’s lies were clear, blatant, and made in the service of continuing the same obstruction effort that was detailed in the special counsel’s report. The only thing he should be sending to Congress on Wednesday morning is a copy of his resignation letter.
Fortunately for Barr, he’s on friendly ground today, settling in for a morning in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Republican Lindsey Graham has already declared that he doesn’t care, doesn’t care, does not care what Trump did, what Barr did, or la la la anything at all. But there are a few Democrats on this committee, and maybe—it’s unlikely, but possible—even a Republican might ask a question that isn’t an invitation to say what a great god-emperor Donald Trump would be.
So, let’s listen in …
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 · 2:07:03 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Expect Democrats to open real questions about the investigation, about Mueller’s letter, and about Barr’s previous statements before Congress.
Expect Republicans to invite Barr to elaborate on “spying” that he alleged without evidence in an earlier appearance.
If it goes along those lines, with Republicans continuing to support Trump and Barr’s continued obstruction, getting justice in any form is going to be difficult.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 · 2:10:40 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Graham starting off with Mueller report statistics that are supposed to prove that Trump gave Mueller everything he wanted—not in any sense true—that everyone spoke freely—also not true. And Graham painting the reports exactly as Barr did, ignoring what the report says.
Graham: “As to obstruction, Mr. Mueller left it to Mr. Barr. … He said, ‘Mr. Barr, you decide.”
That’s a lie. And then Graham goes on to completely misstate the crime of obstruction.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 · 2:13:44 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
And now Graham has moved on to the critical issue of the morning — Hillary Clinton’s emails. No. Seriously. This is how this is going to be the focus of the Graham’s statement, reading statements between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 · 2:21:03 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein going through the statements from Barr, the White House, and introducing some of the chronology — but she left out the visit to Congress that Barr made in the middle of this chain and his false statements there.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 · 2:26:50 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Feinstein going through obstruction incidents. In his opening, Graham was very careful to make the “you can’t have obstruction unless there’s an underlying crime” claim, which is completely not true, and never has been true. In fact, that would be a blanket absolution for successful obstruction. Republicans know that the evidence for Trump’s obstruction is ironclad. They need a major goalpost move.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 · 2:33:03 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Barr getting sworn in. He’s clearly not bothered by this.
Barr starts off by bragging that he didn’t stop the Mueller investigation and that he allowed the public to see most of it so … hey, what are you people complaining about?
Barr now blaming Mueller for the fact that he wrote his "summary" letter because he claims Mueller didn't do a good enough job of taking out grand jury material -- except Barr's own redactions show that's not true.
Barr seems very, very rattled as he tries to go through his excuses.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 · 2:39:31 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Barr’s explanation of his discussion with Mueller on obstruction does not hold water. There is absolutely no doubt that Barr is simply lying about the nature of this discussion and what Mueller told him.
This demonstrates absolute need to hear directly from Mueller.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 · 2:41:30 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Barr once again trying to turn around the idea into why he and Rosenstein had to give Trump a pass. In doing so, he’s once again completely misrepresenting the report, Mueller’s findings, the legal reasoning — everything. Barr seems not just shaky, but desperate here.