Ranking GOP Judiciary Committee member Jim Jordan focused on two things Tuesday during his opening statement at Attorney General Bill Barr’s hearing: the Obama administration’s supposed "spying!" on the Trump campaign, and an incendiary eight-minute video packed with viral footage of violence, looting, and burning buildings on the streets of America.
The video included zero context, no time stamping, or really anything that gave it any legitimacy. Jordan just offered it up to the viewing public as if to say, "You should be afraid, very afraid of what's happening in this nation."
Later in the hearing, Jordan even offered, "The video we played, it's hard to watch. It's hard to watch that happening in our great country." Why yes, Jim, it is.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Donald Trump still president? Yeah, I thought so. This is Trump's America. But the GOP just really doesn't seem to get that suggesting the nation is disintegrating on your own watch isn't exactly the best reelection tactic. No wonder the House GOP is running around begging for money to try to defend their dwindling minority.
As for Barr, he was defiant and testy and offered up several gems when Democrats gave him a chance to speak, which frankly wasn't that often. (Barr's a master at chewing up time without saying anything of import, and time is precious in these House hearings.) But here are several admissions Democrats managed to wrest from Barr that demonstrate just how far the American justice system has fallen under his leadership:
1. Barr admitted that he has discussed the election with Trump but declined to detail the discussions. "I'm not going to get into my discussions with the president," Barr repeated several times under questioning from Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler.
2. On his interference in the sentencing of Roger Stone, Barr offered a peculiar defense: "I've never heard of a dispute in the department where line prosecutors threatened to quit." Somehow, Barr doesn't view that as an indictment of his own leadership.
3. Barr admitted that federal agents must have probable cause to arrest protesters—because that's how far our justice system has fallen under his leadership. "Arrest has to be predicated on probable cause," Barr told Rep. Ted Lieu. That one was chyron worthy, in the view of MSNBC.
Here are several other highlights:
Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana demonstrating systemic racism to Barr, using the exclusively white aides Barr brought with him to the hearing.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York shredding Barr's assessment that Trump's handling of the coronavirus has been "superb.”
Rep. Eric Swalwell of California examining Barr’s interference in the Stone sentencing.
Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island stumps Barr on whether it’s ever appropriate to solicit or accept foreign assistance in a U.S. election.
