In an exclusive interview, Attorney General Bill Barr told ABC News on Thursday that President Donald Trump “has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case” but should stop tweeting about the Justice Department because his tweets “make it impossible for me to do my job.”
“I think it’s time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases,” Barr told ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas.
When asked if he was prepared for the consequences of criticizing the president – his boss – Barr said “of course” because his job is to run the Justice Department and make decisions on “what I think is the right thing to do.”
“I’m not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody … whether it’s Congress, a newspaper editorial board, or the president,” Barr said. “I’m gonna do what I think is right. And you know … I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me.”
Watch:
“I’m not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody….whether it’s Congress, newspaper editorial boards, or the president,” Bill Barr tells @ABC News.
“I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me.” https://t.co/14rnEMD65c pic.twitter.com/QuoTgpUVHp
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 13, 2020
The President was sticking up for his friend Roger Stone and insisted the sentence was absurd. Just the same, he made life difficult for an ally, Bill Barr.
This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice! https://t.co/rHPfYX6Vbv
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2020
Lindsey Graham also wants him to stop tweeting about cases.
Mitch McConnell said today that the President should listen to Barr’s advice.
Early this morning, the President tweeted this:
Now it looks like the fore person in the jury, in the Roger Stone case, had significant bias. Add that to everything else, and this is not looking good for the “Justice” Department. @foxandfriends @FoxNews
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2020
What do you think?
Why would anyone affiliated with the Trump admin go on any hostile media outlet?
Because he may be ready to step down…he’s feeling the pressure to do something besides hide out and play the bag pipes.
Barr should have talked to the President, not the media. When Barr was in hearings, I found info that he is lifelong family friends with Mueller. It was in multiple places. It’s still out there. I knew there was a reason he had no problem being quickly approved. Barr is Sessions 2.0. I have written whitehouse.gov numerous times to get rid of him. (Maybe Barr wants out…that works for me;)
Oh poor little sensitive Tortoise, he does not like Rudy and Trump embarrassing him, so when he gets caught in major embarrassments, he blames someone else. He botched Flynn & Stone. No one else did that. Hopefully, after this childish appearance on a leftist network, conservatives will finally start attacking this establishment coverup agent. Barr will stall through the election then leave or be fired just like Sessions was, and he will leave as a disgrace to the nation but idol of the conspirators. Mitch has ensured that justice is avoided for 4 years, he will never allow an honest AG.
I agree with Barr, Trump’s tweets on DOJ matters just gives the left and media more fuel to feed the their dimwit follower’s. If Trump don’t like Stone’s sentence, then just pardon him, the left will still cry foul. even though Trump has the power to pardon>
The AG and Graham have to understand that there are millions of Americans totally frustrated by a extremely unjust justice department…it is obvious to most that we are witnessing “running of the clock” with no accountability for anything, 3 years and counting (i.e. Huber and Clinton…what a joke!).