Barr’s real-life reputation was that of a two bit political hack. When he made his unsolicited application for Sessions’ job, the media quizzically created the impression that Barr possessed some sort of stellar legal reputation that needed preservation and that acting as Trump’s hack at DOJ might challenge his vaunted status. But none of that was ever true. Once a hack, always a hack.
17
I am not an American citizen but I live close enough to be concerned. I hope that USA has bottomed out with the election of trump. I read comments often about proposed solutions to the USA's present difficulties. The way to fix the problem is to vote. You have the power to elect representives to truly make america great again. The current lot isn't coming close. We have a similar problem in Canada but it's not quite as egregious. For example, we don't have nukes. Vote them out and make the world a better place please. I have said in other posts that the USA is not too big to fail but your next election will probably determine that.
17
Thank you, Paul, for your encouragement. I don’t generally vote, but now I will. I realize how important it is because of our current situation. I am paying attention now. The silent majority is waking up.
13
Donald Trumps vindictiveness to Andrew McCabe was a wake up call to all public servants who expect their pensions to be there for them after a long and loyal career.
Trump is the first president to actively remove loyal workers because they voted or donated to his competitor. That’s unAmerican and yet another reason why Trump must go.
Any blue will do- vote vote vote - blue all the way through.
21
On the one hand a Department of Justice entrenched as a bastion of power for the children of privilege: take for example Bolling Haxall the 18th of the 7th Circuit. A scion of a wealthy Confederate family from Richmond that managed to keep their money through Reconstruction and to the present time. On the other hand, a department where the tyrannical face of foreign intervention by the Russians and our own plutocrats has appeared to scare away the spirit of just consent by the rulers and the ruled. We have the DoJ we deserve under Trump's Russian tyranny. And it will only worsen in a second term, as Trump has promised to remain our President for Life...
9
So, the same agency that was headed by Loretta Lynch, who met with Bill Clinton on the tarmac to discuss the weather when Hillary was under investigation—that agency—is worried about its reputation?
4
@Hooey: Yes, they were attacked by Republicans on the outside at that time, and yes, they are again under attack by Republicans, this time from the inside. Since your entire party is currently engaged in breaking every law in the Constitution, your people are particularly anxious to have complete control over the Justice Department, in case you hadn't noticed. Which you probably haven't, since you appear to be writing from Fox News Land, where viewers are not allowed to see anything critical of The Trump Party.
12
Diminishing the American sense of justice is possibly the most corrosive of Trump's negative impacts on our country. If the general population begins to think that the entire US judicial system is rigged, then the country is cooked. Barr seems to see this because of his push back against Trump's tweet-driven meddling, but unfortunately, Barr is too much of a conservative christian ideologue to really take a stand. Where are the Archibald Coxes when you need them?
12
@Mister Ed: Justice isn't even on the table under this system of preposterous malapportionment of representation at the Federal level. Justice begins with equal input into what the law is and how it is enforced. The US is still a slave nation.
6
They fear that Trump may be undermining the agency's reputation? Next they'll fear that water may be wet!
13
“More than 1,100 former prosecutors and officials who served in Republican and Democratic administrations signed an open letter condemning the president and the attorney general over the Stone case.”
The Low barr is a thick skinned buffalo...... has no shape or reputation to worry about!
11
Barr is brazen on power. Just another of Mr. Trump's whining fat cat cronies on a mission of mercy. Like Trump says, It's so "unfair." We all know Mr. Stone is such an upstanding citizen. I mean, it's positively "unfair" Stone should serve time for his crimes: witness tampering, and making false statements. That would be so "unfair."
11
This Attorney General on a mission of mercy for Mr. Trump should resign. William Barr should step down and stop pretending he's anything other than another of Mr. Trump's miserable cronies hellbent on destroying our system of jurisprudence. Justice under this man is a complete joke.
12
Trump is having a chilling effect on the work career people in the Dept. of Justice have ta
5
Should that not read "Fearful of Trump’s Attacks, Justice Dept. Lawyers Know Barr Will Leave Them Exposed."?
10
The sham 'trial' helped a lot. If anything like that happened in another country the sycophant republicans would be climbing all over them selves to condemn it.
Fat chance with these phonies.
Plus, the 'failed' impeachment has enabled Trump to expose just how disconnected from any moral standard he is.
13
Trump: antithesis of the concept "justice."
9
The Tump haters/conspirators have had their time at bat. They gave us years of chaos, attempted coups, and a series of process crimes that will scare off good people from the notion of public service for years to come.
The whistle blower who started the latest failed attempt to undo the 2016 election, did not have his facts straight. Ultimately, he helped the President make his case that the impeachment was rigged and full of injustice. The Times proclaims victory for it’s side, but if it were at all honest, it would note that what really happened was an utter disaster for all involved. If Trump lies, the opposition lies even more. In the end, Pelosi looked pathetic and the impeachment team looked like a bunch of hysterical clowns.
This article failed to note the findings of the Inspector General regarding the Steele dossier and tampering with the FISA process. That this publication brushes such aside leads me to ask: “Have you no decency?” Doesn’t it bother you that such injustice has occurred? Are not all these persecutions the fruit of a poisoned tree?
I thank God for Barr’s curiosity regarding the prosecutions stemming from Mueller’s office and anything related to James Comey. They were dirty through and through. If this scares DOJ attorneys, we should ask what they’re afraid of? If they don’t like it, then resign and make room for staff that isn’t participating in the undoing of our democracy. Lawyers are a dime a dozen, they’ll be easy to replace.
3
He made a statement that he thought the 9 year sentence was ridiculous. He didn't ask that Stone be freed. McCabe lied to the FBI and didn't even get prosecuted. A person can get less time if he kills someone while drunk or shoves a gun in their face and robs therm. Stone is suppose to have said to a witness that he would kidnap his beloved dog. Also that the witness was dead. Has Stone a history of dog kidnapping dogs or killing anyone? In any case regardless of what the sentence is, Trump can commute the sentence if he thinks it is too harsh. And why did they need four prosecutors if the the case was so cut and dried?
3
Sorry DOJ attorneys. The horse has bolted. The barn has collapsed. Don't wring your hands about whether to close the door.
Save yourselves. Find a job worth doing.
Funny thing how little time it actually takes to destroy something, isn't it?
9
trump is undermining the reputation of America,
Under this circumstances, who worry about a shop run by Low barr ?
Congress should cut the funding and close the barr shop !
5
William Barr has kowtowed, fully bent over backwards to do this president's bidding. His futile t.v. attempts to appear unbiased are _laughable_. Thugs get reduced sentences under Barr, especially if they're, like Mr. Stone, good buddies of Mr. Trump's. The law and penalties are for the other guys.
10
Dear DOJ attorneys:
You're either a deep stater
or
a Trump collaborator.
AND YOU'RE LAWYERS!!
Don't expect a sterling reputation under any circumstances.
The minority of the voters get what they voted for.
3
I don't understand why so few people are able to say no to this man. Does he hold some sort of mystical power over all branches of government? What is it with the terror of Trump? I fail to see the menace in his tweets and he certainly offers no charm. No one can trust his words. Trump's promises are empty. What happened to the country?
12
This is worse than Watergate ever got at the Justice Department level because the shameless complicity of the attorney general in facilitating a vengeful president's lawless impulses is brazen and open-ended, including "reinvestigating" matters that weren't to Donald Trump's liking and working hand in glove with discredited political crony Rudy Giuliani.
As fixer for an out-of-control president, William Barr is not only a disgrace to his office, but a threat to the foundations of the rule of law. If there isn't a deafening hue and cry about this and effective pushback by career professionals, judges and Congress, the damage to our democracy will be permanent.
Mr. Barr is supposed to be the chief law enforcement officer representing the American people as a whole, but has shown himself to be the opposite: a corrupt presidential henchman. This is a constitutional crisis if there ever was one, and the first step toward solving it would be for him to resign.
10
I saw Marc Short, Trump's Chief of Staff soft -balling serious questions about Trump's meddling in the justice system.The excuse he gave was that Trump is meddling because he is "frustrated" that there is bias in the DOJ.
Yes the stable genius is an expert in sentencing as he is an expert in everything else.
He seems to be "frustrated" an inordinate amount of the time. Fuming, raging, boiling with anger and tweeting excessively. Frustrated?
Yes like a million dollar toddler demanding an ice cream and throwing a tantrum when he doesn't get it right away.
What business has a president got being frustrated?
11
Are these concerned employees ever going to bring charges against FBI personnel who altered documents and withheld exculpatory evidence from FISA judges?
3
Trump undermines the Justice Department and the very concept "justice" the way that Soupy Sales, whom I loved as a kid, undermined the concept "dignity." Except that Trump performs his undermining meanly, viciously and without a hint of humor.
2
Barr times his statements to create a foil. He appears aggrieved. But the coordination with trump seems obvious:
Trump tweets. Barr acts.
‘The President and I never discussed this’ becomes the cover. But we all know who needs to discuss when the tweet says it all? It’s a direct order for gosh sakes.
Then prosecutors resign.
After which Barr makes his disingenuous statements about tweets undermining him. But folks, think about it—Barr says the President put him in a bind over actions Barr ‘intended to make’, pretweet. It’s the perfect foil. Barr was always going to do trumps bidding. But now, by obfuscating the timing, he can pretend otherwise by creating a fictional dissonance. It’s so neatly done, it’s genius.
5
Let's hope that the 1100 former US attorneys who signed a letter asking Barr to resign are all planning on voting Democratic this November. And that they will all be actively campaigning for, and donating to, the Democratic candidates for president, Senate, and House.
8
"More than 1,100 former prosecutors and officials who served in Republican and Democratic administrations signed an open letter condemning the president and the attorney general over the Stone case."
Thank you. Actions like this help me restore my faith in America. Maybe this evil period of Trump will pass soon.
6
Barr is frustrated with Trump’s tweets because they make the fact that he is intervening on behalf of Trump’s friends more embarrassing.
Maybe he should try not intervening.
8
And yet, Trump’s supporters will remain steadfast, as the disinformation machine of his campaign and Fox News spins into high gear. Who are these people, and why are they doing this? I am scared.
3
Pompeo didn't protect the State Department, Barr isn't protecting the Justice Department. Each of Trump's appointees at cabinet level have been sent to their respective institutions on a search and destroy mission. Will the GOP make them stop at the
Pentagon, or just keep going?
4
There can be no preserving the reputation of our legal system with Donny in charge. If he doesn't agree with a sentence, he'll just pardon the criminal, as he's demonstrated many times. The Senate that refused to convict him has equally showed the contempt for justice among the wealthy and the powerful. Justice? No, the rules only apply in our favor, never the little guy's.
4
The Formerly venerable Department of Justice has allowed themselves to be politicized, thereby jeopardizing their credibility and reputation, with only themselves to blame for their insipid weakness.
24
Roger Stone Was found guilty of seven felonies by a jury of his peers. Donald Trump, and Bill Barr’s, madness will not change that.. We must come together as Americans and defeat the most corrupt administration to ever be elected in the history of the United States. And then we must change our laws to make sure this never happens again.
47
Not to worry- Barr already ruined it.
16
Given the reaction to AG Barr by professional attorneys and peers, one would expect that there also be grounds to pursue for his disbarment.
35
uhh.. yeah? of course he has! it is done.
5
The 1,100 former prosecutors at the Department of Justice, are calling for Mr. Barr's resignation. The signatories are from, both sides of the aisle. It is quite a long list, and strong. These professionals, who have voiced their protest, see very clearly, what is happening at the helm of the DOJ. They are seeing what is not right.
Unfortunately and disappointingly, we do not see the same concern from other areas. There is not one word we have seen from the Senate GOP. Perhaps, just like in other situations, in their minds, it is not something to be concerned about.
25
@CITIZEN
Unbeliuevably, about half of those Republican senators attended law school, three years about which they seem to have absolutely no recall.
6
Stone has lots of ammunition to bury Trump and that is the simple reason Trump, supported by Barr (probably dirt on the Attorney General is tucked away in Stone's arsenal as well), sought to reduce his sentence. It's not rocket science.
30
I’m not sure I understand the question or the article. How can anybody with any sense of history globally, but especially the era before WW II, have any confidence that this is a complete sham on AG Barr’s part. He is as set on installing a proto-fascist government as any of those in the cabinet or GOP Senate.
I am at a loss to understand how more Americans simply do not see the patterns of action that brought the “national socialists “
to power ~90 years ago, but for those who are uncertain, check out the 1930s-1950s of global history.
And, although I an not a serious supporter of Bernie Sanders: Every time someone calls
him a socialist or a democratic socialist, then please go google what a “national socialist “ was and give careful thought as to how safe you will be under the latter—Trump—administration going forward.
26
is pence still vice president?? seems like he's been banished or plotting his uprise
10
Anyone just now coming to the conclusion that Trump is ruining the reputation of the Justice Department either just climbed out from under a rock or is a complete idiot.
Trump's self serving corruption has been evident well preceding his election "victory" to anyone bothering to look
He should be in prison, not the oval office.
His GOP enablers are complicit, and need to pay the price in our next election, and the next ten after that.
46
The title is concerned. Really? they should be certain. The rock you refer to is full of justice department officials.
4
@Gary Williams - absolutely. This guy's entire life has been one be sham. The bankruptcies, the help from daddy, the cons, the schemes, the affairs, the back room dealings, the tax evasions. And tragically most of this is public record.
If the opposition made one big error in 2015 it was to fail to expose the depths of nastiness of this person who now occupies our oval office. And, amazingly, it's continuing nearly unabated and even with the nod by gop members.
Oh America - end this in November with a resounding vote. Please?
4
Let us know when AG Barr secretly meets with the spouses of Flynn and Stone on a lonely Phoenix tarmac to exchange photos of the grandkids - with the blessing of President Trump.
9
@Dr. John
Deflection
False equivalency
Red Herring as it does not relate to meddling in jury decisions and prosecution sentencing recommendations
It is also not relevant to the current calamitous attack on democracy
8
@Dr. John
False equivalence: unlike Flynn and Stone, Hillary Clinton was never charged, indicted, or convicted.
7
Okay, provided you promise to let us know when your boy Donald I gets on TV and tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
About anything.
Honestly, let us know. Let the good news ring out. Myself, I doubt he could manage with what the weather was like outside.
6
A “fear?” Seriously?! Of course he’s destroying the DOJ and the rule of law. Why does the press keep questioning the obvious? It’s just irresponsible.
31
Absolutely!! High time the ordinary or mainstream media began to call this GOP crew what they really are: proto-fascists bent on destroying American democratic principles.
Are that many Trump supporters really in pursuit of 30 shekels of silver—i.e., today an overpriced stock market and a misleading employment figure simply because people are working 2 or 3 jobs to make a living wage!
19
This has little to do with Roger Stone. It is just a bit of agitation before the John Durham - Bill Barr report on the origins of the Mueller probe comes out.
There could be nothing to it.
But then, it could prove the DNC was a criminal organization, akin to the Mafia, the Russian mob or the Chinese triads. And it could go all the way to Obama and Biden.
So the targets of that probe into the Mueller probe try to attack Bill Barr preventively...
6
Trump is undermining the DOJ? Ya think ?
22
@Will You don't need to think -- just see what has happened -- so many evident instances -- unless you are blind in eyes or in heart.
1
@Will A blind eye refusing to see what is obvious!
That ship sailed some time in 2008 with the President and his wingman. Barr is trying to clean the mess up and no, Trump is not helping.
5
Trump can only affect the Department with the enthusiastic assistance of Mr. Barr. If Barr had any respect for the independence of the DOJ, Trump could be prevented from meddling with it.
18
@Casual Observer - - - Trump has definitely NOT affected anything going on at Justice altho it is way past time for them to face The Adult in the Room, whom Barr can be,
Waiting patiently to hear from Mr. Durham.
4
Barr firmly believes in the divine rights of Presidents because he cannot trust in a government of, by, and for the people. He’s about the last person any republic needs in such a job.
13
When Steve Bannon spoke of 'deconstructing the administrative state' I thought what in the world is that scruffy, megalomaniacal bomb thrower talking about? Well, the joke was on me, or maybe I should say us.
I had no idea that it would be this easy to destroy what has taken over 200 years to build. I thought our government had a sufficient immune system to ward off attacks like this. I was wrong.
40
Bannon has a psychological problem. He knows very well that the civil service insulates public servants from serving politicians and his misrepresentations of there being a ‘deep state’ is deliberately intended to make the civil service vulnerable to political control. For some reason he wants to reduce our society to anarchy.
22
We’ve never had this kind of corrupt powerful Americans who are more concerned with finding loopholes in our constitution to benefit themselves, as opposed to helping the state of our union, and their fellow citizens.
My father, who was an immigrant and a fighter in World War II, told me over and over when I was growing up, “that with great wealth and power - comes great responsibility”. Unfortunately, I believe that we are living in an age where 2020
Republicans & the extreme wealthy do not care about any responsibility
to humanity or this beautiful planet we live on, only satisfying their selfish power and wealth, which is transient. Shame on them!
3
What, in the past three years, has Trump touched with the presidential wand that has made it better?
18
@L Martin Economy, jobs, pension funds...
But commenters here likely live off trust funds invested abroad, so such things don't matter to them.
4
Actually jog growth is lower in Trumps first 3 years than it wad during the final 3 under Obama. Pension gains are higher but I suspect that, considering the escalating annual deficits and China's expected economi decline those gains will subside or reverse completely.
16
@novoad
Deficits. You forgot deficits. Build up your credit card debt. Live largely and pretend your economy is good. Then wake up one morning and find the bill due. But cheer up, maybe the atmosphere is so polluted by then, that debt may no longer matter.
19
S simple question arises: are Trump and Barr undermining the nation's belief in a fair and impartial Justice Dept?
As my 15 year old niece put it: "Um, like, well, DUH!"
From the mouths of babes...
16
Trump and Barr would throw away America, the rule of law and The Enlightenment if they could score a few points against liberals. That’s how petty and vindictive they are. That’s how little they care about the future of our nation. That’s how little they care about justice.
22
too late.
3
If many federal prosecutors are trying to "ignore" what is going on and get on with their jobs as the article implies, we have already lost our democracy. If they won't stand up for what is right, who else can? What will these people do when this administration goes after the the "evil" press, "leakers," and "haters," if they won't stand up to protect their own reputations and their own colleagues' lives and careers?
8
I don’t understand the headline. Their worry is “reputation?” That seems much weaker than what the concern truly is.
5
Trump would have no problem sending the message that these are men who needed to be dealt with by killing them: remember the i can shoot down Fifth Avenue and if I hit someone or kill somebody, my supporters won’t care.
And now his claim that as President, he is above the law—meaning he can order another assassination and nobody would be able to stop him!
I only hope these four lawyers are public servants or now private citizens who have some semblance of personal protection! They remain at personal risk, it seems to me, from the “national socialists” doing Trump’s bidding.
4
The justice department is currently part of the Trump election campaign, as is every other part of the US federal government.
24
I start by reminding people of the firing of Preet Bhrara of the famously “sovereign” district of NY shortly after Trump took office.
From this story:
“lawyers across the federal government’s legal establishment wondered aloud whether Mr. Trump was undermining the Justice Department’s treasured reputation for upholding the law without favor or political bias — and whether Attorney General William P. Barr was able or willing to protect it.”
Wake up!!! He’s done it! Why is anyone “wondering”....
18
Trump has undermined the reputation of every government agency to which he's appointed people. That is likely his intent.
28
The irony is, the longer Stone’s sentence, the greater the likelihood that Trump will pardon him—after the election, win or lose. A nine-year sentence would allow Trump to claim that the trial was rigged and “unfair,” one of his favorite complaints when a loyalist close to him gets what he deserves. Meanwhile, Michael Cohen is serving the remainder of his three-year sentence. As Trump himself said of Stone, “the real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them.” The same could be said in Cohen’s case.
1
Trump said he wanted a more lenient sentence for Stone. It hasn’t happened. Lets be honest. It isn’t an outrage. It’s a snoozer.
3
@michjas
Stone has yet to be sentenced, nor the prosecutors meet with the judge. A little too long in the sun today?
12
"When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross..." Sinclair Lewis
37
The stench of republican hypocrisy continues to grow.
25
Too late......damage is done with help, I think, from Barr and his overzealous support of Trump. Just hoping that Trump's ravaging of the federal government can be repaired.
11
Here's a funny thing. With all these career bureaucrats quitting in protest, it allows Republicans to pack the Executive branch with royalist loyalists devoted to Trump.
This will be fun to watch.
3
It isn't Trump that is undermining the reputation of the Justice Department. Sessions helped, but actually demonstrated (the appearance of) some independence by recusing himself in the Russia investigation. However, the real damage is being done by Barr.
Trump wants the AG to be his personal attorney. He fired Sessions because when Sessions did what the law required and recused himself, it was clear to Trump that Sessions wasn't devoted enough.
Barr made it very clear early on that he was available to act in that capacity when he dishonestly misled the country about the Mueller investigation. There was no way back from that breach of ethical behavior. He should have resigned immediately. We can expect Barr, no dummy, to make concerted efforts to appear to be independent. However, no one should ever trust his "independence" again. His behavior has been corrupt. Corrupt AGs, even those who are obviously partisan (in any identifiable direction), must resign. Barr is more than merely partisan.
11
Chief Justice John Roberts, who presided over Trump’s withholding military aid to extort Ukraine, and obstruction of justice, states that Americans take democracy for granted, then proceeded not to call one witness for or against the charges against Trump! Our entire justice system has been corrupted by Trump!
14
Not unexpected. This is very much like the plan carried out — reasonably successfully for 15 or so years— by what was the “national socialist” party in 1930s Germany.
KWhy more Trump supporters, perhaps with family members who fought the fascists’ powerful Blitzkrieg in WW II, don’t recognize the parallels just amazes me
3
At Juice Department, juice will be served.
2
With respect to the current DOJ, it's a fait accompli and it began with Barr's manipulation of the Mueller report. The more pertinent question is "who's next?" -- there are so many governmental agencies from which to choose, including the EPA which seems to be the odds-on favorite. Not content to destroy America's democracy, economy, and global reputation, 45's ego-maniacal need for center stage also has set its sights on the very air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land upon which we dwell. He is little more than Darth Vader in an ill-fitting, rumpled Armani suit.
11
everything looks fake with this malevolent egomaniac:remaining hairs artisticaly combed and fixed to hide his baldness, face stuck with taning powder giving him a stunning orange color, don't forget his ill fitted suits trying to hide his obesity ( there are none healthy obese). This genius displays a perfect look!
6
I think Trump prefers Brioni suits. Lol
1
Barr's complaining that Trump's tweets made it difficult for him to do his job, is like Jose Altuve saying the banging on the trash can in the dugout made it hard for him to focus on the coming pitch.
10
And no one will do a thing about it. Because wveryone just wants to either keep a job or have the next guy act.
5
Trump is a pathological liar who is fact checked as having told over 17,000 public lies since becoming President.
Barr hit the ground lying for Trump. Remember his nonsensical diminishment of the Mueller Report? Barr is doing whatever Trump says to do, whether legal or illegal.
The NYT has a contemporaneous article today:
"Former Justice Dept. Lawyers Press for Barr to Step Down"
"More than 1,100 former prosecutors and officials who served in Republican and Democratic administrations signed an open letter condemning the president and the attorney general over the Stone case."
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/16/us/politics/barr-trump-justice-department.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
This article says it all. Trump is 100% sleaze, a man without any substance. But Barr is knowingly abetting Trump's continuous criminality, as his consiglieri.
16
The Justice Departmengt eputation has been on the skids for decades.
5
Trump has undermined the United States and every agency, law, rule and individual associated with the proper function of the U.S.A. He has not, nor does he now, have any regard for management of the country. It is another platform for him to express his inherent anger onto others.
8
DT has always been dishonest, a bullying person, and been sued hundreds of times. His only interest is getting his way. He is an emotionally violent person, who is acting out on a daily basis with his tweets, and threats against most all of those serving him, from the CIA, the Justice Department, Cabinet officers, the Generals in the military, members of Congress, and those who have served in his own White House, etc. See, Senate Republicans, you had a chance to serve this country by voting to remove from him from office, and you failed. This can now all be laid on you. Don't hide, Susan Collins, and the rest of the Republicans in the Senate, except Mitt Romney!
12
As one of the three legged Constitution, probably the most corrupt is the "Justice Department", just observe our courts around the Country.
2
there is no fear that trump and barr are seriously damaging the doj; they are. trump by his vengeful and idiotic tweets and barr by having a bizarre and unique belief that the president has much more power than he is supposed to baed on his own misinterpretation of the constitution. barr is going after many of the cases involving trump's goons and he is doing so in a manner that is unprecedented. he is doing so in such a corrupt questionable way that i am totally agree with the over 1,100 lawyers who have been involved with the doj that barr should and must resign. but simply, he won't. he could easily be impeached but we see that the republican minions in the senate won't do anything to lose their power.
3
Some apropo lyrics from a song:
Pull the string and I'll wink at you
Make me do right or make me do wrong
I'm just a puppet and you hold my string
I'm your puppet.
Songwriters: Spooner Oldham / Dan Penn
4
In the accompanying article describing the 1,100 prosecutors asking Barr to resign the reporter alludes to President Trump attack in law enforcement. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rank and file cops, FBI agents, military personnel and intelligence officers have high regards for the President. His “attacks” are on the corrupt Washington leadership of DOJ and these agencies that have hounded the President and his supporters since the campaign and have used unethical tactics in this pursuit.
4
@John Gilday
Nope
24
Max,
It’s a cult.
19
I believe history will prove that the undermining of the Justice Department began under the earlier Obama administration and came to light in 2016/2017.
6
Why fear Trump? Barr has trashed the DOJ all by himself.
5
The reputation of the DOJ is trashed.
Barr has zero credibility or integrity. It is going to take decades to repair the damage trump and his corrupt administration have caused
13
It amazes me how little they’d sell out a nation for. Two and a half centuries of democracy all down the tubes for a couple men’s egos and a little bit of spite.
22
I'm sure German officials in the 1930s were upset... at what point does staying in the administration signal collaboration?
18
Trump ruins everything he touches Barr none..
21
The rape and pillage of our democracy continues and spills over to so many governmental departments, including DOJ. Most shameful period in our history.
12
In the recent impeachment vote, the Senate Republicans voted to give the president and the administrative branch of government full power over the other branches.
17
Mr. Barr has brought justice to the forefront. Let him finish rolling the heads of those that have contempt for our values.
4
@KDB
Those values being dishonesty, infidelity, sexual assault, treason, name calling and general ignorance?
16
@ kDB whose values? yours maybe not for a majority of those who voted. You might do well to contemplate the source of your supposed values
8
Impartial justice is one of our Nation's most sacred values. This is why we trust juries. It is why we trust government attorneys to prosecute only those cases that warrant prosecution. Politics should not be part of the equation. Democrats and Republicans (and everyone else) should agree on this.
Thus, as a lawyer and citizen, I agree with the 1,100 Democratic and Republican former DoJ prosecutors who are asking Attorney General Barr to resign.
As a retired US Army JAG officer and ex-prosecutor let me say this: Image the impact on a military jury if, just before sentencing, the President of the United States tweeted "this soldier should be found innocent" or "this soldier should be executed." What an affront to the court. What an affront to our American concept of a fair trial and of justice!
AG Barr won't resign, because our national politics has become so partisan. Yet he should resign, for the sake of preserving one of our most basic American values--the impartial administration of justice.
699
@Mike Diederich Jr Roy Cohn born again.
26
what a wonderful fantasy Mike, a world where Repiblicans do the right thing...
40
@Mike Diederich Jr: Whenever something is said to be "sacred" in the US, it becomes see no evil, hear no evil, nor speak any evil of it.
16
They should be afraid, because Trump is undermining the DoJ. It needs to abolished.
Michael Bloomberg, I’ll vote for you if you abolish the DoJ.
2
The DOJs reputation has BEEN tarnished - not only over the last four years but in America’s history of hypocrisy when it comes to justice/morality. This isn’t news. “Reputation” is such a privileged thing to care (or pretend to care) about, and I would much rather they care about what they’re DOING (or not doing for that matter). Act right, with spine and fairness and you won’t have a reputation worth worrying about. So much of this boils down to theatre or spectacle.
Guy Debord - in the 60s no less - critiqued western/materialist/capitalist society noting a shift from “being, to having, to appearing to have.” In 2020, its not hard to see how people, even those in government, would care more about appearance, public perception etc than the content behind it all.
People love to quote MLKs demand that we judge based on content of character, and yet...
How many people in the DoJ/this administration at large would tremble if faced with being judged in the same way? And how many of them believe in a God that WILL judge in that way, yet continue to behave as they do?
2
Barr said that Trumps commentary made it impossible to do his job. That’s a damning comment, because comments do absolutely nothing to prevent the Attorney General from doing his job. No, instead they make it impossible to do his job AND make Trump happy at the same time.
Barr’s actions have made it clear which is the higher priority for him. He needs to resign.
11
Was there impartial justice under past presidents? The question was never asked. Why now?
5
Because there indeed was impartial justice under previous administrations, and that’s clearly not the case with this administration.
10
Loretta Lynch on the tarmac with Bill Clinton? You must be kidding.
4
Do you recall that she then recused herself from the FBI investigations?
7
Will it??? ... it's too late by at least two years. They should start worrying about how to fix it ... if that's even possible at this point.
3
I would like an accounting of the Mueller spin off investigations. I was worried when Barr was installed and gave that sorry press conference and document purporting to be the truth. I worry most about actions that we don’t see publicly, because what does get out is not all that happens.
3
One of the scarier scenarios being created by Trump is a template he is craving out for future presidents to possibly mimic.
The president is ultimately the boss of the attorney general. While Trump has pretty much done everything that most would view as unethical, to say the least, he hasn't crossed the legality line.
He is testing waters that are yielding no consequences while laying out a blueprint of interference that seems to benefit himself.
I keep thinking that on most levels, this guy IS the worst president this country ever elected. But will he be the last?
His actions have dictated a message that he can do whatever he wishes and gets away with it. I am fearful that down the road, there could be others with a similar mindset.
What then?
Such abuse of power, even when it's within the law, must not be allowed to blossom, grow and end up being even more dangerous.
9
@Marge Keller. none of this would be happening if you didn't have the complicit bootlicking GOP Senate. they like trump are up to their eye brows in Russian mob money and are just as guilty, if not more so than trump. Vote them all out in November. it's our last chance to fix this.
10
@Marge Kellar
I have seldom encountered a sentence in one of your comments with which I disagree, but I don’t believe that Trump’s behavior will in any way influence the behavior of future presidents.
Trump’s conduct is astounding in quite a few ways. Perhaps the most startling aspect of his character and abilities is his profound ignorance of American history, of the traditions and gentlemanly manner that have guided our former chief executives, congressmen, senators and cabinet officials. Donald Trump knows no more about the traditionally appropriate behavior exhibited by his predecessors than he knows about the ancient religions of Persia.
I suspect that our future presidents will rely on their learned knowledge of American history, mannerliness and ethics to guide them. The absurdity of the Trump administration will likely prove a historical dead end, an aberration.
At least, that’s how we can hope the future of the American presidency will unfold.
7
@Bob
Your comment is spot on, especially about that "complicit bootlicking GOP Senate" phrase.
This country's best chance of surviving such an evil and twisted mindset is to vote them out and their leader come November 3rd.
4
We are getting close to where the only one not in " the Deep State " will be Donald himself ( OK, maybe Roger Stone and Steven Miller ). Donald, watch out for Melania and Barron turning on you.
2
He should resign and allow someone more qualified who supports President to head the agency and release President of firing him which he ultimately will
Lest we forget that JFK appointed his brother Robert as his attorney general, I think that history will show that the office of the U.S. Attorney General has not been traditionally an independent agency. Recent times have seen a trend toward a hands-off stance between the Presidency and the Justice Department, but the fact does remain that the president appoints and dismisses the person in the Attorney General's slot. If we want there to be a truly independent Justice Department, maybe we need an amendment to that effect, placing it under the Judiciary instead of the Executive.
5
"Everything Trump Touches Dies"
If he'd kept his head down, stayed off twitter, and actually worked rather than enriched himself by golfing a quarter of the time at his own resorts, . . . oh never mind. Why bother saying it yet again?
Apparently voters are going to have to fix this mess in November. In a big way.
12
We sure hope so but the Electorate system could be manipulated to avoid the democratic choice to be validated. We have to reiterate that Trump did not win the people votes. By far. And it could happen again.
7
And getting away with it, which is the most important point
3
Alfred E Neumann: “What, me worry?”
How could Barr create such concern? Eh?
2
Too late, William Barr did that long ago.
1
The headline of this article reads like something from The Onion. To describe Trump and Barr’s actions as leading to fear that they are “undermining the Justice Department’s reputation” is like saying about a category 5 hurricane that there is a concern of “possible mild damage to property”.
6
I am so ashamed.
3
Barr's days are dwindling...he's caught between a madman and the law and there is only one choice left for him.
4
Well, Barr helped Trump smooth over the Mueller Report so that it was not useful ammunition for impeachment or conviction by the Senate so now he gets to either live with "Trump Unbound" or he can resign.
8
Ha, "Fearful of trump's attacks,...."His presents in the White House has brought the whole of the three brunches of our government down. If they had any backbone or ethics of right and wrong and duty to our country, they should have allowed witnesses (judiary) or investigated these allegations of wrong doings (legislative) first themselves. They should have all been in agreement to present all evidence to oust trump. They wouldn't be worried about their jobs and the DOJ's responsibilities and stature right now.
Barr is simply a meat puppet of the worst kind.
8
The actions of this president and Barr - among others - bring Margaret Atwood's "Handmaids Tale" in to full focus.
If not corrected, this nation will turn in to such a place, with women sneaking over borders and across the sea to escape. As will men of certain non-approved "types", poor people of all stripes, people trying to salvage our burning planet for some sort of future, people doing honest science, people with deafness and disabilities.
Corporations, the rich, people from Scandinavian sorts of countries - will be fine.
My fervent hope and goal is that the current president will NOT be re-elected.
I also hope we don't elect someone who either is a billionaire or takes billionaire contributions...that narrows my choice down quite a bit.
4
Bill Barr: Resign and save what little is left of your tattered reputation.
9
@wk K Barr should resign before getting fired
They are concerned that Trump is undermining the Justice Department’s reputation? Look around. He has made our entire nation a laughing stock. The only way to escape the orange stain of association it’s Trump is to resign.
14
Anyone who just got off the plane from Mars and landed in D.C. would get right back on that same plane. Where's the outrage? Where's the courage? It's time to jaywalk, America, and suffer the consequences while they're still sufferable and not yet fatal to the future of our democracy. The sand, however, is about to run out of the hourglass. Revolution is never polite, nor should it be.
Our profiles in courage are met by their profiles in cowardice. Take your choice.
13
The letter signed by 1100 DOJ democrat donor sycophants is total harassment garbage.
These are ideologues who mostly wrote checks to support numerous Democrat candidates.
Their opinions are totally politically and biased.
They should grow up and get a spine.
All they are doing is creating a toxic atmosphere to influence voters against Trump.
This is disgraceful behavior.
5
@Unhappy JD
The letter itself says that the people who signed have served under presidents of both parties.
https://medium.com/@dojalumni/doj-alumni-statement-on-the-events-surrounding-the-sentencing-of-roger-stone-c2cb75ae4937
Quote:
We, the undersigned, are alumni of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) who have collectively served both Republican and Democratic administrations. Each of us strongly condemns President Trump’s and Attorney General Barr’s interference in the fair administration of justice.
As former DOJ officials, we each proudly took an oath to support and defend our Constitution and faithfully execute the duties of our offices. The very first of these duties is to apply the law equally to all Americans. This obligation flows directly from the Constitution, and it is embedded in countless rules and laws governing the conduct of DOJ lawyers. The Justice Manual — the DOJ’s rulebook for its lawyers — states that “the rule of law depends on the evenhanded administration of justice”; that the Department’s legal decisions “must be impartial and insulated from political influence”; and that the Department’s prosecutorial powers, in particular, must be “exercised free from partisan consideration.”
End Quote
Your comment appears to be lacking a factual basis.
18
@Unhappy JD
The lawyers who signed the letter — who noted they have served under both Democratic and Republican administrations — are merely expressing support for the rule of American law....and their disapproval of the rule of Trump-Barr.
The only apparent 'garbage' in sight is relentless White House harassment of the rule of law.
24
Trump has created your “toxic atmosphere.” He needs to go. Deal with it.
13
Vote out every single Republican. Every single one. Do not allow them to pull us farther into fascism, as is the desire of the Trump administration.
Vote blue no matter who.
26
That horse has already bolted.
3
was it really better when we pretended bias and corruption at the highest levels of government didn't exist or is it better now that it's out in the open?
4
Well, I don’t know what to say to those legal system tinkerers, pompous politicians, politicized and polarizing “non-partisan” guardians who have smugly contributed to the deterioration of the justice system and American values. Fear. Maybe it’s time for them to decide where they stand after decades of failure against corrupt power and money. That’s sad and ironic.
1
Q: How can you tell Attorney General Barr is not being truthful?
A: His lips are moving.
11
There's a very simple solution to this. Get your hands
on all his tax returns and leak them in toto. That will do wonders
for leaving him as much exposed as he intends them to be.
16
The more than 1,000 ex-Justice Department who signed a petition calling for AG Barr to resign are correct but that's not enough. Trump will just replace Barr with another lackey. What's really needed is the equivalent of a court-appointed receiver to run the Justice Department until Trump is no longer in office.
11
@Jay Orchard Yes, and McConnell Inc will let him appoint another "lackey." Until the GOP Senate grows a conscience, which is unlikely, and a spine, also unlikely, the corruption will go on and possibly escalate if that is even possible. The Dems somehow have to win the Senate, too....
8
The DOJ reputation is totally ruined. I have no trust nor confidence in the DOJ.
8
Americans should applaud President Trump for cleaning the swamp. After he is elected for another 4 years there will be many many more looking for work in Washington.
5
@BO Krause Wow. Just incredible. And scary.
22
No, political ideologues who hate monger law and order citizen support are much more scary.
4
Sir, he is the swamp.
14
Neither the President nor the AG are going anywhere. Trump I'm sure is deaf to all criticism, so why would be prosecutors protesting his interference be any different? Remember, he recently said he could interfere in our legal system as President and even in the case of murder he would remain unpunished.
He also said that he hadn't interfered in the Justice Department, which is partly true because he has used his supplicants to do it for him, Barr being the most obvious case of said supplicant. No one with eyes and ears actually believes Trump's protestations after the Comey/Cohen testimony. The simple act of tweeting and speaking about ongoing cases is in and of itself, interference. Bill Barr shouldn't resign, he too should be impeached. He should have his law license revoked and forbidden from practicing law. That would be the only thing that will stop him because we already know these are the things he cares about, even more than pandering to the President.
10
"Mr. Giuliani has claimed to have evidence damaging to former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his son."
If Biden doesn't get the Dem nomination, watch Julie Annie and Trump* completely lose interest in Bidens so-called corruption.
15
People keep hoping the republican party will eventually stop this. Dream on. A brief history of their recent behavior.
After Obama was elected the 'tea party' displayed blatantly racist posters of Barack and Michelle ... 'You Lie' screamed during a joint session ... tea party coward spits on John Lewis, courageous civil rights leader ... 'armed and dangerous' ... more, not worth remembering. The republican response? Mute silence, absorb the tea party. They needed the votes.
Republican primaries. Trump says and does disguisting racist, sexist things; John McCain, the Syrian couple, disabled reporter... His rallies draw huge amounts of cheering angry, mainly white people ... Not one republican criticizes any of the things he says or does; clearly they have no choice. They are 'all in'.
Over the next 3+ years his agenda consists mainly of lies and 'executive actions' while hundreds of bills from the democrat house of reps sits, waiting, on McConnell's desk
3+ years later, nothing has changed. They have surrendered any pretext of pride or ideals or values. They are still 'all in'.
Eventually they will be replaced and hopefully a new republican party with real values will emerge.
Don't hold your breath.
19
This is the end of the innocence
O' beautiful, for spacious skies
But now those skies are threatening
They're beating plowshares into swords
For this tired old man that we elected king
Armchair warriors often fail
And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers clean up all details
Bruce Hornsby & Don Henley, "End of the Innocence"
8
What reputation?
3
The DOJ top lawyers such as Sally Yates and Andrew Weissman, and similar lawyers at the top of the FBI have brought shame to the institutions. They promoted corrupt behavior in their partisan pursuit of an obstruction charge to bring against the president when they knew the Steele Dossier was a hoax. It is so sad to see them act this way, then claim, "who me?" when their sins are pointed out.
I respect line DOJ and FBI folks.
6
@LSC typical deflection from a Trump supporter, don't look at the criminal in the WH and his band of venal and corrupt conspirators, look over there at those people. Pitiful and shameless.
18
Some significant parts of Steele Dossier have been corroborated.
10
These lawyers opposing Barr conspired to trade on the DOJ credibility to make a purely political statement.
Most of these are affluent democrats wanting to push a lefty political agenda.
Google a few of them on opensecrets.org.
1
When are we going to admit that Donald Trump
Is a sadist — through and through
His shtick is hurting people
It’s what he’s best at, lives for
Does it all the time, almost daily
Those totally devoid of love
As Trump seems to be
Use fear as their choice of emotions
To gain and use power
14
OF COURSE Trump is undermining our faith in our DOJ! It's a very bad situation, why can't someone do something about the out-of-control President we have??
9
Gee, 'ya think? It is time to drain the REAL swamp that Trump has made of the various Federal agencies, including this one. Don't let party in-fighting let this guy keep "winning" come November!
5
He IS undermining the agency’s reputation as he belittles and disrespects them then says, “I have the tough guys on my side: the military, the cops, the bikers.” DO SOMETHING, DOJ!! All I can do is vote.
7
In both states where I am licensed and others were I have appeared pro hac vice, the ethical rules provide for mandatory or voluntary withdrawal under certain conditions.
Like the prosecutors discussed in this article, I recently resigned a government post because of what the pertinent rule characterizes as a course of action the lawyer finds "repugnant" or with which the lawyer has a "fundamental disagreement." NM R. Prof Conduct 16-116(B)(4).
Whether or not a lawyer cites the rule in what is called a 'noisy withdrawal,' or simply resigns in disgust, as I did, the issue remains the same: either you violate your oath as an officer of the court and 'go along to get along' as my ex-boss suggested, or act consistent with your ethical obligations and--not coincidentally--the courage of your moral convictions.
The moral-ethical quandary that Trump and Barr have forced thousands of dedicated public servants into is, in my experience, wreaking damage that is much deeper and far-reaching than the handful of examples we know of suggests.
We will likely never know how much evidence has been destroyed or withheld, how many misstatements--upon which overworked judges are forced to rely--have been made. Worse still is the 'collateral damage' on the attitudes of young lawyers taking their cues from powerful and influential bosses and mentors. The ethical cancer that is the Trump Administration may be difficult to entirely remove once he is gone.
16
For all the coherence and eloquence – and preponderance – of your collective narrative…
One half-crazed voice calling you out as fake – you tumble like a cheap house of cards…
One circus clown who never thought he’d never be given the ringmaster’s job – this is totally unreal…
Actually, one or the other is…
One of him – or all of you…
PS
Or – one of you that can beat him at his own game…
Be it ringmaster, or clown…
2
@David-
Roger Stone was given due process and a fair trial; he was convicted on all seven counts.
As for the rest of Trump’s associates, they all PLED guilty; sure about you, but I would NEVER PLEAD GUILTY to crimes I had not committed.
21
Populated by a bunch of liberal lawyers--sorry but that is why President Trump was elected--to move you all out to new career opportunities. You keep threatening to move to Canada--but you never do. When President Trump is elected to a second term the whining will be profuse.
8
Move to Canada...if trump gets in again they will have to beef up their southern border.
12
What reputation? For corruption? Corrupt courts absolutely destroy businesses.
7
Protect a department? Those prosecutors are totally out of control, going after the President's associates like crazed hound dogs and issuing obscene sentencing recommendation for no reason out of pure hatred, and they want some "protection" now? From what? From public scrutiny and proper legal process? I don't think so.
6
@David
Meth may be fun, but it's going to hurt you in the long run.
19
@mja Intelligent rebuttal; typical enough.
3
Undermining an agency with a despicable reputation will be difficult. Their reputation is at the bottom of the barrel already. An intriguing concept for a story. Those at the agency can tell their myth anyway they want--does not make it anything but a myth.
6
@Jonathan:
Provide concrete, detailed and verifiable examples supporting your scree.
We'll await with baited breath . . .
6
Rod Rosenstein
The Mueller investigation found multiple times more incriminating evidence about the Trump campaign's improper contacts with Russia and the corrupt attempt to cover them up than any "evidence" unearthed by the Inspector General in regards to Andrew McCabe.
So it is beyond stunning to read this article that misleads readers into believing just the opposite. This article presents the Andrew McCabe issue as one of Trump's 'enemy' DOJ officials refusing to indict a man who committed crimes, and presents Trump as a completely innocent man exonerated by the Mueller Report.
Six months ago, this newspaper and every media outlet was insinuating that McCabe was so guilty he would be prosecuted at any moment (which were typical self-serving Barr DOJ leaks designed to get the media to trash McCabe's reputation).
McCabe wasn't even charged because nothing he did was a crime! Even an IG who was trying desperately tho legitimize Trump's concern could come up only with the ridiculous "lack of candor" to describe a person who misunderstood a question and later corrected the first answer when he realized his answer was wrong.
This newspaper should be ashamed - the false equivalency of a person who has devoted his life to service - McCabe - with a convicted criminal Roger Stone.
A man who committed no crime compared to a man who was convicted of MANY crimes are presented as equivalent by this newspaper in service to protecting Barr.
10
Thank you so much for setting the record straight on Andrew McCabe. It was outrageous when Marc Short this morning on SOTU equated McCabe’s “crime” with the several counts of lawlessness of a truly odious character, the incorrigible Roger Stone. Unfortunately, all this flew past Dana Bash, totally flummoxed by one lie after another from the VP’s Chief of Staff.
8
I have a different take on Mr. Barr. He strikes me as a D.C. insider who has become disenchanted with the establishment, both on the right and left. If he is loyal to President Trump, it maybe because he sees him as someone outside that establishment who can upend the status quo. Mr. Barr has shown that he does not suffer fools gladly, whether they be powerful members of Congress or the president, himself. But, then, all of those demanding that he step down may get their wish. The political mayhem that is D.C. may compel him to resign.
1
Trump would dig up somebody worse to replace Barr - that’s about all that’s left!
8
Definition of the Modern American Conservative:
1. A person who professes to love America while despising 60 percent of Americans.
2. A person who professes freedom and justice, while working to deprive 60 percent of Americans of their right to vote.
3. A person who professes to love America, but works to destroy her lands and pollute her air and water.
4. A person who believes in traditional values, but supports a man who philanders, lies, steals, cheats, colludes, alienates America's democratic allies, and admires tyrannical dictators.
5. A person who claims their right to own multiple assault weapons with extended magazines supersedes the right of American children to live.
6. A person who enjoys the fruits of science (medical and medicinal advancements, televisions, computers, the internet, smartphones, automobiles, microwaves, etc.) while denying its evidence.
7. A person who claims to love Jesus but opposes almost everything he stood for.
21
I wish you would meet real conservatives. I don’t believe you should say things about people you don’t know. That is called being prejudiced. Perhaps we could be friends if we met and talked.
2
If Barr wants to restore trust in the Justice Department, he should arrest Trump and then resign.
6
I no longer have any confidence in the department of justice, the court system, the office of the president or Congress. There are too many people working to protect the liar in the White House, who seems bent on destroying this country. The naked greed and lust for power is disgusting and justifying the actions of this administration is deeply disappointing and depressing. How far we have fallen in less than 4 years.
3
What frightens me is if Barr does resign, who will Trump choose to replace him.
1
@CEF
Would Barr's replacement be Giuliani?
Take it for what it is, an uncontrollable need to be in charge from a guy who will soon be gone and likely under indictment himself. Keep your heads down, do your job, and this too will pass.
1
To all republican voters who believe wholeheartedly trump should be above the law just remember nothing lasts forever. When he and his merry band of thieves and liars are out of office and a Democrat is in office and control the Senate don't come crying how they should all be ridden out of town on a rail whenever they do something you don't like. If you want a president who is above the law you don't get to pick which party is held accountable and which is not.
8
Duh. They fear loss of credibility? Done been done. If federal attorneys are not outraged, they don't deserve their jobs (to turn a phrase).
William Barr is a disgrace to his profession, the long and proud history of the Department of Justice, and the nation. He has sold his soul to a corrupt and power-mad maniac in the White House and he has betrayed every ideal of justice and decency that thousands and thousands of dedicated public servants at DoJ have long sought to uphold.
History will remember Barr as the enabler of treason because he covered up Trump's connivance with the Russians in 2016. He will forever be remembered as Trump's willing yes-man, always eager to shield the crimes of Trump's cronies and of Trump himself from the public eye.
If Barr had any dignity or courage at all, he'd resign now.
6
They "fear" that Trump is undermining the reputation of the Justice Department? That train left the station months ago.
2
As an attorney, it does hurt a lot and particularly that trump is undermining D. O. J. (and the rule of law) -- but D.O.J. has been sundered and sold 'outright' even the more by bill barr (since no attention-paying person of sound mind has ever had reason to expect 'better' - or any better 'understanding' from the limp mind of trump).
But lI do not and dare not 'lose sight' of the fact that D.O.J. is but one of the 'losers' that trump (assisted by the 'change' of spineless 'charges' taking seats in his pockets) has defiled -- or of the reality that we, as a country, are the foremost losers in trump's age of un-enlightenment -- and that trump has squandered the reputation of every federal agency , of every one of us (including those who cannot see 'it'), and of all of our ever-more-than-a-little-bit flawed, but now largely-befouled nation.
2
Let the swamp creatures howl. It’s how we know Barr is doing the job Trump hired him to do.
5
You support Trump and Barr and you think people opposed to their nefarious doings are swamp creatures? Hmmm.
1
Not only the DOJ but I know that Trump is undermining the reputation of the United States. Many of my Japanese friends say they think our President is unstable so can't be trusted and his views on climate change, trade and nuclear proliferation are dangerous.
6
Why would anybody trust Barr's DoJ? Even Sessions knew some boundaries and he is neither the smartest nor most independent politician in DC? Anybody who remains at DoJ is now suspect. Co-operating with the DoJ is only for fools, especially for state and local government officials like me.
#Don'tTrustTheDoJ
What are the Justice Department Lawyers' fears? If they have nothing to hide, neither Trump nor Barr can embarrass them.
This is the same rhetoric the US snoop agencies use on the citizens - logical?!
5
Trump diminishes everyone and everything he comes into contact with. Remember how Pompeo allowed Trump and Giuliani to try to destroy the reputation of Ambassador Yovanovich for their own political agenda. No wonder career people in the Justice department are afraid their reputations will be sullied by Trump with no protection from Barr. We Americans should be ashamed of our President and the Congress that allows him to behave as a self-centered adolescent with absolutely no sense of morality who cares only for his own self-image. Shame on us for allowing Trump to remain in the office he has so sullied.
6
Undermining is too weak a word. Barr is totally destroying the reputation of the DOJ. Who will trust anything coming out of his office when he is shown to be completely partisan toward Trump's wishes. This extends down to lower levels. So he has coopted the Missouri AG? Barr going venue shopping to find sycophants willing to bow and scrape to Trump? The public is going to be frightened to death, because this is how the Gestapo works.
6
I’m concerned about the local Republican States Attorney who attended the Inauguration in 2016.
Was Barr always the corrupt consigliori or did Trump bring on his downfall? It seems that at one time he was the darling of the Republican party and even some democrats thought he might bring a little sanity to this administration. But it seems that Trump has the reverse Midas Trump and every Trump appointee must come down his level.
2
Donald Trump and his GOP have treated our constitution with disdain by openly flouting the rule.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump's job approval continues to go up.
Couple that with an opposition in total disarray and in denial.
Clearly, it becomes that much harder to justify the belief that our nation is a "shining beacon of light" when a growing number of our "citizens" choose to wallow in the dank muck of a lawless society.
3
Elections have consequences ...
Vote Blue 2020
6
Fear? More like observation of fact.
1
Anyone not connected to Trump’s corrupt administration knows that Bill Barr cannot be trusted. It must be very hard to work under him at this point.
7
If Barr resigns Trump still be there and will simply appoint another flunky. It is imperative that Trump be voted out of office. Barr is just a symptom. Trump is the underlying malady.
5
Here's a politically sensative case.
Giuliani is stalking diplomats, gathering rumors and playing United States Emissary, working for foreign clients without registering and working as trump's private attorney at the same time. Instead of allowing Giuliani to provide "evidence" of Ukranian meddling, Barr should be investigating Giuliani for any number of violations. He's not. He's protecting trump's muckraker.
Barr has betrayed his oath of office and betrayed us, his employer.
There is no confidence that he can perform his duties without corruption and favoritism, the hallmarks of king Donald.
He needs to spend more time with his family and leave the Justice Department to someone with integrity. That is, if any qualified person will work for trump.
12
He's undermined everything else he's touched. Why would this surprise us?
5
It is rich for Barr to say Trump is undermining Mr. Barr's ability to do his job. Mr. Barr is undermining the whole justice Department just fine on his own. His protection of Donald Trump and his corrupt cronies is a blatant in your face attack on the job of the DOJ. Maybe Mr. Barr should shut up and do his job. But, really, it's a bit too late for all that.
8
What is baffling to me is that the Justice Department was created by an act of Congress. The duties of the Attorney General were assigned by Congress.
Trump believes in the theory of a unified executive, but such theories fly in the face of the rules of ethics that govern lawyers. Lawyers in almost all states cannot be supervised by non-lawyers. Trump is not a lawyer.
Additionally, when a member of a law firm is a key witness in the trial of a case, the law firm must recuse itself.
Thus, past presidents have refrained from stepping on the scales of justice in particular cases.
With respect to Roger Stone, no one can truly doubt that Stone lied for the benefit of Trump and was in contact with Trump directly or indirectly as Stone lied to further Trump’s interest. Trump wants Barr to be his Roy Cohen. Deborah Rhode, Stanford Law School professor, often told her students to always do the opposite of what Roy Cohen would do.
Why Barr is willing to sell his soul to one without any sense of ethics is beyond me.
14
Ok, lawyers. Never mind.
1
Throughout history societies have collapsed when their constituents no longer believed in them. Just a reminder.
11
We may gain a sneak preview of how Trump's antics affect the administration of justice generally. Judges Sullivan and Jackson set to rule in the Flynn and Stone cases respectively on various issues. Serious minded jurists may do what Barr unwilling or unable to do. Guardrails may be a part of the proceedings in both courts. Trump directly or indirectly criticized both; Stone published a target with Judge Jackson's photo superimposed on it; and Flynn affirmed his plea and rejected withdrawal of the plea under direct questioning by Judge Sullivan.
Observers searching for clues for how this drama unfolds ought to hang around these courthouses.
5
What unadulterated bunk. Trump has every right to express his opinion by Tweet or otherwise. He also has the right as president to suggest that the AG consider the fact that Stone was disproportionately sentenced to the tune of 9 years for a minor crime. The four career prosecutors for the Justice Department were and are known Democrat partisans who despise Trump. It's time to investigate their motives for recommending a 9 year jail term for Stone, while Hillary Clinton remains free after maintaining a private server to send and receive top secret State Department e-mails, and then destroying the server and its contents to avoid the light of day for her actions.
12
The “motives” are the sentencing guidelines FYI.
14
@George Tafelski Bunk. The sentencing guidelines strongly suggest a 1-2 year jail term, not the onerous 9 years that these four partisan Democrat prosecutors sent up. Get your facts straight, or don't comment.
7
@paul
Willing to convict Hillary with no witnesses or evidence, unwilling to hear witnesses to Trump's malfeasance despite his impeachment and mountains of evidence. Sounds about right, at least to anyone who's head stubbornly buried in the sand of an indefensible alternative reality.
14
Whether it be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the Attorney General heading the Department of Justice, everyone should be deeply concerned that justice is not being served!
Given the Republicans' feckless opposition, I'm betting this does not end well.
9
If you investigate Justice Department personnel’s voting it becomes obvious, they overwhelmingly vote democratic. I guess they are afraid of exposure. Hillary skates free, McCabe skates free just naming two.
10
Voting is a private protected matter. FYI
11
@George Tafelski furthermore, hillary did nothing wrong. Not one thing. And jerry don't start with the emails....ivanka, jared, and myriad others
7
Really? that's your argument? What if McCabe and Clinton really did not do anything illegal? What if you are just buying into yet another Trump conspiracy theory. After all, who benefits from perpetuating an attack on everyone except those who are behaving illegally? How many investigations that turn up nothing does it take to put yet another misdirection/ redirection/ obfuscation?
6
Fear not - the real public - not the fake on line public understand that Trump is corrupt and sponsored by Facebook, Fox, and Twitter
6
Our new Democratic President and their Justice Department will be opening many, many cases against Trump and his Administration officials based upon FACTUAL crimes and misdeeds that have been done by them. Barr will be at the top of the list after Trump, to be indicted, convicted, and sent to prison for a very long time.
Americans demand justice!
11
It was interesting to read about worries that "Mr. Trump was undermining the Justice Department’s treasured reputation for upholding the law without favor or political bias" -- because I did not realize that such reputation existed.
In my own instance, after I discovered in my own litigation that federal judges routinely replace parties' argument in their decisions with bogus argument of judges' own concoction pulled out of thin air so as to decide cases the way they want to, rather than the way they have to, and sued judges for fraud, it was the Department of Justice attorneys who defended those judges by arguing that in Pierson v. Ray judges gave themselves the right to act from the bench "maliciously and corruptly."
So, does the Justice Department "upholds the law?"
Please don't make me laugh. They defend judicial corruption; they defend judges' right to act arbitrarily; they defend utter erasure of the much-vaunted "due process of the law" from the judicial decision-making process.
Journalists refuse to cover judicial fraud; journalists rush to the defense of the innocence of DoJ employees presumably violated by Trump. But they are not doing any noble thing here. What we have is crooks defending crooks. No need to get worked up over Trump's highlighting that simple fact.
4
Judges are not employees of the DOJ. Forget are part of the judicial branch. FYI
4
Too late. The Justice Department is now known as the Trump Personal Defense Department. They are all employees of Trump/Putin cabal.
3
Fear is a little late. How about repugnance? Better yet, resign. If I were the hiring partner at a law firm and I saw you were at DOJ after January 2020, your resume would get trashed, which is what's happened to your reputation. Get out now and seek repentance by organizing others.
2
I am heartened but very concerned that the rank and file of the DOJ are finally understanding what kind of criminal tin pot dictator the president* actually is. I am wondering how such educated men and women are catching up to what a great majority of Americans have known all along.
6
From Canada, we're watching what looks like a banana republic.
14
As I said before no one with a clear conscience or without partisan bias has to fear anything other than fear itself. Attorney general Barr at law has made it crystal clear. The DOJ is independent of the president and that the president should refrain from tweeting about the DOJ. The president has made it clear that he recognizes the independence of the DOJ but free to express his freedom of expression.
One of the promises he made was that he would shake up Washington. Well if he does not do just that he will be failing in his promises and answerable to the people who elected him. Career politicians, career prosecutors and career diplomats should have term limits anyway. How can one expect change, new mandates and shakeup with same old same old. Even our justices should be limited to 10 years on the bench of the supreme court. As much as I say that Mitch McConnell has been the most consequential senator from Kentucky and holding his dream job as senate majority leader, there should be a term limit at least on the position of senate majority leader.
6
@Girish Kotwal
What does a clear conscience or partisan bias have to do with the rule of law?
32
Term limits are a solution in search of a problem. Limits on “career politicians?” No, thanks. I prefer someone with experience to engage in the complex business of legislating.
5
@Girish Kotwal - You appear to be very idealistic. I wish I could share your certainty that Barr and Trump will do the right thing. But, unfortunately there's no evidence that Trump recognizes the independence of the DOJ. So far, he has interfered in order to gain special treatment for his friends, or when he thinks his friends have been punished unnecessarily, he's pardoned them. Meanwhile, he's asked the DOJ to investigate his enemies.
21
As a former government attorney, it seems Barr’s support of Dump has come at high price-the integrity of the DOJ and the rule of law is under serious threat. All I can say is remember your oath and work hard to be fair and do the right thing-even if it means standing up and fighting your “superiors” to do so. The majority of the American people are behind you!
19
it needs to be underninded
3
"underninded" is a new one for me.
6
Oh, I think we all agree that Trump’s DOJ is, “underminded.”
8
Cry me a river.
These career lawyers at the Justice Department apparently had no issue whatsoever being the political enforcement arm of the Obama Admin as it went after his political opponents.
If these lawyers want to be Democrat and ‘progressive’ political activists, they can do so on the private sector dime.
It is time for a purge of the bureaucracy to get rid of political hacks who work for one particular political agenda Instead of the apolitical national interest.
10
@EGD Would you are to elaborate on their alleged malfeasance for the benefit of the rest of us?
10
@David Where have you been these past 3+ years...
3
YAWN! More deflection. When there is no way to defend the indefensible, you always deflect to Obama and Hillary... two absolute patriots that have always operated within the law.
8
Justice Department lawyers have only themselves to blame for their loss of reputation. It has become painfully clear during this administration that the Department has become a bastion of the Deep State, using its traditional “independence” as cover to become a political force of its own within our government- picking and choosing elected officials to go after based on ideology, by attacking their operatives and operations, using vague and arcane federal statutes like “obstruction of justice,” “Section 1001,” and “campaign finance rules” to set up and entrap the unwary. Trump is entirely justified in his war to drain this putrid swamp.
6
If only Trump and his friends would stop doing crimes, prosecutors would have so much less material to work with.
11
@Greg: Criminals always call cops the Deep State, except if the cops are corrupt and on their payroll...
7
The key is that Barr has promised not to pursue politically motivated investigations. That's good news for Trump and the American people. All the recent headline ones (except me-too) have been directed at Trump by Democratic deep-staters.
Trump and Barr are telling their underlings that no more should they base persecutions on left wing politics,
as they have been for a long time.
Good for Trump, good for Barr, and good for and by the people who elected Trump. And good for all the people.
12
@Doug McDonald, who determines when an investigation is politically motivated? Trump? So if Trump says an inquiry is politically motivated it is and if he wants Guliani to give info to Barr to investigate the Bidens this is legitimate? Please, give me a break!
21
@Doug McDonald
The key is that, despite his words, Barr is pursuing politically motivated (and mostly wholly bogus) investigations.
Good for Trump. Bad for all of the people (including, would they open their eyes) the people who elected Trump.
16
@Doug McDonald
And, thus far, Barr is the only one willing to get to the bottom of a questionably predicated investigation of a presidential candidate's campaign team.
Let these bureaucrats can yell all they want. It's a little late for that.
3
Trump has done a good job in discrediting the FBI and the Justice department along with the CIA and the NSA.
We obviously need an independent commission, similar to the Knapp commission to investigate and make recommendations to Congress on what needs to be done to fix it.
If the President can't trust his own Justice department obviously this is a national emergency. All cases should be put on hold and all Federal prisoners should be released immediately. The CIA and FBI should have its operations temporarily suspended until we get to the bottom of this.
13
@HL Trump has not done "a good job" discrediting the FBI, the CIA, the NSA and the Justice Department. He has however done a good job of discrediting himself and those self-seeking pols he appoints to head up those institutions. Trump is like the new Coronavirus plaguing China today. Everyone who comes in contact with Donald Trump becomes infected thereby, and if not exceedingly morally healthy, chances death to his reputation by having been in proximity to Trump's virulent behavior.
21
@HL Wow, the "Deep State" must be keeping HL up at night. Looks like the FBI, the CIA, the NSA and the Justice Department are all in cahoots to oppose Donald Trump. Really? My sincere advice for HL: Try to stop reading the endless tweets, take a fresh look at Trump, and vote for the Democrats in 2020.
16
Ha-ha-ha-ha! Good one, great joke. Very funny.
7
Most bureaucrats, especially in Washington D.C, are Democrats, so their resistance comes as no surprise but rather shock, from citizens who view them as public servants who should keep their political sentiments to themselves, save for election day.
8
@Senator Blutarski, PhD of the last six presidents only two have been democrats, so the odds are that of the bureaucrats were hired by Republican appointees.
19
@Senator Blutarski, PhD
The resistance is to the increasingly obvious willingness of Trump and Barr to bend the law to suit Trump's whims. This is not partisan, but rather a desire to see the law upheld.
15
@Senator Blutarski, PhD: And where did you get that statistic? From Rush Limbaugh? The US Government does not yet ask its employees what their political party is either before or after hiring them. In fact it is illegal for any employer to ask a employee or prospective employee their political party.
17
Trump is undermining the agencies reputation? Sorry no...given DOJ actions over the last 3-4 years..they did all by themselves.
7
@Ron I think you are mistaken . The Trump/Barr assault on the DOJ and other LEAs is to discredit the Rule of Law and make it acceptable for Trump and his enablers to do what ever they want.
7
@Ron
Please tell us which actions you are talking about?
7
This article summarizes balderdash in a rather odd sort of way; without any acknowledgement of the irony contained within. One expects better from the Times; but, in this hyper-partisan age I suppose editorials wear the masque of objective articles.
Loretta Lynch was, at best, incompetent. Jefferson Sessions was a disaster. Eric Holder bragged about being President Obama’s “wingman.”
Mr. Barr seems to have the gravitas and he is doing a better job than the previous three AGs.
10
@Pad McLoughlin Sen. Marco Rubio is slamming Attorney General Loretta Lynch for her private meeting with Bill Clinton this week, calling it "a real lack of judgment on both their parts." Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was not convinced by the attorney general's assurances, attacking the judgment of both Lynch and Bill Clinton. The Manhattan billionaire decried the meeting as "terrible," "horrible," "amazing" and "really a sneak" the Republican-controlled House , former Attorney Gen. Loretta Lynch came to the Capitol under a subpoena and promptly got grilled by lawmakers about her infamous tarmac meeting with President Bill Clinton. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Lynch said it was a bad idea for anyone in government to be speaking about the inquiry senior Republican in the Senate CHARLES GRASSLEY: Given the politics involved, the potential for improper influence over the work of the investigators and career prosecutors is high because of Loretta Lynch's private meeting with Bill Clinton.
2
William Barr is acting in the service of a tyrant. He is advancing that wanna-be king’s grasp for unaccountable power. Neither are patriots.
8
@Pad McLoughlin
"Mr. Barr ... is doing a better job than the previous three AGs.
Well according to you he didn't have a very high hurdle to jump, did he? The country has much higher standards than that. Barr is incapable of meeting them.
9
I dare the Democrats to impeach again (they can ram another partisan one through, no problem). But, they won't - they and their "master tactician", Pelosi, have learned their lesson the hard way.
6
Instead of this stuff, perhaps you could explain why you think it’s okay for Trump to use the Justice Department like this, and why you think it’s good to have competent prosecutors that he appointed resigning in protest.
10
@Scott K what lesson is that?
7
@John Senetto
The lesson: Impeachment resulted in only one thing -- the highest Trump approval ratings of his presidency and probably his reelection.
Outside the bubble, most voters saw impeachment as a politically motivated, partisan affair.
1
"the Justice Department’s treasured reputation for upholding the law without favor or political bias"
The IG found that McCabe lied three times under oath. He leaked to the Wall Street Journal, then reamed out the FBI's New York and Washington field offices for leaking, so as to cover his tracks. Why wasn't he charged?
13
He wasn’t charged because what he did is....wait for it....not a crime! Much as you would like to make up imaginary laws Trump can use as a club to batter his opponents, that’s not the way a country founded on the rule of law works.
12
@Tom
Simple.
Because he’s a Democrat.
3
Are you making the assertion that Barr is. I stung up for McCabe? Maybe the reason he isn’t being charged is that the Faux News assertion that he committed a crime is too bogus even for Barr to pursue.
5
If you think this story will end with criticism of Barr and calls for his impeachment, think again. He has a lot more information about matters being investigated by Durham which will likely end with many deep staters like Comey, Brennan, Clapper, being indicted. All of this stink being raised about Barr is nothing but a last desperate attempt to do interference ahead of the charges that will surely come down. Even McCabe, who looks strangely worried in his softball MSNBC interviews, knows the final chapter has yet to be written.
13
So naturally Democrats find it awkwardly uncomfortable when the shoe is on the other foot now after three years. Of course they’re still unwilling to admit that maybe it’s due to their foot foolishly being in their mouth and not the shoe.
4
"Selecting one of our most bizarre citizens to run the nation, and promoting him to some status above the law which he is under oath to uphold has to be one of the oddest, craziest, most ridiculous maneuvers any nation has ever attempted.
The US will never outlive this self-imposed stain."
The public was aided and abetted in this unwise choice by the nature of the media coverage of the campaigns, including that of the NY Times. One egregious example was Matt Lauer's prosecutorial pounding away at Hillary Clinton regarding her emails, to the point of interrupting her policy statements, while in contrast, he lodging soft ball questions in a good ole boy fraternal manner to Trump. Hillary's emails received relentless front page coverage in the NY Times, while Trump's actual crimes such as the Trump University judgement against him were buried in the paper without much fanfare.
The media could have played a better role in helping the public to make a more informed selection. While I can't speak to the motives of his Republican enablers for placing him above the law, I believe the majority of American people were let down by the journalists who fell into line with Comey's October surprise, and might have made a different selection with different media coverage, although the majority did select Hillary Clinton by 3 million votes.
8
My former and much missed Missouri Senator called Barr a “slimy slippery snake” which has proven to be an apt description.
8
Trump and Barr are engaged in a joint game of “Patty Cake, Patty Cake—Let Us Now Some Mud Balls Make”.
When two collude in this game, it is impossible to determine whose hands got dirty first.
3
Barr’s ABC interview was clearly staged by Trump.
7
Trump wreaks havoc everywhere. Barr is an enabler. All Americans should try to understand how alarming this really is.
8
It's really pretty simple. We elected a criminal as President. Now we have to endure him until we can remove him. In the meantime, Barr is his consigliere and will do his bidding.
11
Most Criminal Administration in US HISTORY.
10
Trump and Barr ARE damaging the reputation of the DOJ and compromising the public trust. Trump has greatly damaged this county's reputation world wide. But by far the worst is the republican party that refuses to stand up to this very corrupt mentally disturbed creature. I've never seen an entire political party price themselves unfit for public service or trust the way the entire republican party has since Trump was elected with Russia's help.
9
Fear?
Barr is stooge. Always has been. DOJ has become a wing the criminal WH.
Berlin 1938 comes to mind.
9
What reputation NY Times? What didn’t happen after 2008? Why was Mr. Blankfein on the front page of The Times this week? What about the SEC? Bloomberg got what right? No seriously? Who’s got credibility?
2
@Patrick Lovell Was there anyone getting assistance from the Russians to get elected back in 2008?
2
@Christopher what about now? Of course, and there's more actors than the Russians. But if your point is Comey and the 2016 election, that's the FBI. Was there criminal referrals to Sessions? Probably. The point is the DOJ has been a protection racket for much of the last 20 years.
Poor Kellyanne Conway keeps spinning and spinning and spinning and spinning. If there is ever a moment she let's say wants to give children who are starving ten cents more for food stamps as a result having misheard something Trump had said she will just be another socialist traitor. You are only as good as your last lie.
3
'Merica has become a total banana republic.
The 'Banana States of America' - as I now label the USA - reminds me of a previous laughing stock from my youth, Idi Amin's Uganda. Amin and Trump share many traits. How will this end?
4
Where is this country headed with a mob boss in the White House and his attorney general acting as his chief henchman?
6
Starting to zero in on why Trump is so infatuated with Putin, Jong-un, Erdoğan, Duterte. He like their STYLE as he tries to imitate them.
Trump has little to know knowledge of how a democracy should work and no appreciation of it's importance his "picks" of advisors and cabinet officials has created the "perfect storm" of corruption and dismantling of our beloved Republic.
Military was damaged when used in the 2018 election, Homeland security is a game show now and DOJ is a political weapon.
How sad it will end on such a dope.
3
Bill what makes your job impossible is most of the country has no intention of following you down a rat hole.
6
It's painful to see Trump meddling with the FBI, DOJ, and now even with internal DOD processes. I've often wondered, though, how this has affected reporting in intelligence (and State) channels because all the information collection agencies must be picking up lots of reporting worldwide from other governments, and non-state actors, about how they view Trump and the US government.
It would be extraordinarily serious if Trump stayed around long enough to not just discourage unfavorable reporting from existing sources, but also begin shutting down programs (especially clandestine and signals intelligence) that were putting him in a negative light. We could wind up with some real blinders in a dangerous, unpredictable world.
9
@Paul B.:
Absolutely spot-on.
2
The real problem in the corruption of justice and specifically the Department of Justice (DOJ) is Donald Trump and his Republican "willing accomplices" led by Enabler-in-Chief, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. With Congress now, after Trump's acquittal, no longer able to exercise any restraint on Trump, it's now up to the Judicial branch to defend the "rule of law" against the encroaching Trump tyranny. If the Constitution, by some miracle, manages to survive Trump and his Congressional Republican collaborators, the DOJ will have to be moved to the Judicial branch under the supervision of the Supreme Court and out of the control of a wayward president like Trump. Future Attorneys General will then be appointed to a 10-year term by a super-majority (at least by a 7-2 vote) of the justices since Congress has also failed its most important test of acting as a "check and balance" against the abuse of power by the Executive.
5
A 7-2 Supreme Court vote sounds convincing except when you consider who he has appointed, and the possibility that he could appoint even more justices.
1
@Paul Wortman:
Superb commentary.
Unfortunately -- especially if the Cretin-in-Cheif's sycophants re-elect him -- it's going to be a real challenge to find government employees with enough fortitude and experience to weather -- and at least minimize the damages to our Constitution and governmental checks, balances and mores -- if, that is, they'll be anyone left standing who retains and represents the necessary reputation and determination to see it through.
I, for one, am extremely doubtful.
Ironic that the "party of Lincoln" has become the architect of our nation's dismantling.
Sad.
Bigly sad.
5
After the Senate's vote to execute the predetermined results of a "trial", trump held his pep rally. In his speech and demonstrating by example, he informed his minions what they would experience if they stepped out of his fold. He also bragged how many members of the judiciary were "ours" or considered in his fold. Why then could it be any surprise that he injects himself into that, the judiciary, which he considers part of the fold he runs? This merging of the Senate, judiciary and some house members with the Administration might appear as a winning power play by trump's minions, is only an introduction of Putinism. "Russia if you are listening..." your man will fail.
4
I am amazed at the surprise of Barr's behavior.
Don't forget the editing of Muellers"s report, and Trump complaining constantly about Sessions recusing himself of Mueller's investigation. When Sessions was forced to leave, Barr's veiled confirmation answers were clear to all, and of course Trump said he wanted an AG who was "with him".
The future, in terms of the DOJ was a forgone conclusion..as is the future of a delicate democracy which is now an oxymoron, being controlled by special interests, huge amounts of money, and a power hungry out of control POTUS.
4
it is nothing new. it started after we got Mr. Trump as President and Mr. Session recused in Russian interference. Mr. Session had to resign the post under pressure from Mr. Trump. Mr. Barr is thinking to turn the justice system to serve the interest of Mr. Trump not the public. Mr. Barr is so biased to the president that the public interests does not matter to him starting from the Muller report. latest public statement by Mr. Barr is just a cover up to help President secretly. it will be fun to watch how all play out at the end. i wish mr. Barr well. he will be pressured from his subordinates as well as Mr. President. I hope he can keep a balance so that the congress does not get him to be impeached or the president does not fire him.
1
As a former Crown Prosecutor and criminal defence lawyer in Canada, I and my contemporaries are appalled at how low has sunk the ethics of the President and lackeys like Barr. In the case of the President, we all knew before he was elected, he had no integrity, lacked personal morals, does not understand even the basics of the American Constitution he is sworn to protect, and as an egomaniac, intellectually bankrupt and narcissistic self promotor he would be a disaster as President. All of this has been proven in spades day after day.
I fully support the DOJ prosecutors who see the very fabric of fairness and independence being undermined by the wannabe king. Hopefully the judiciary will step up to the plate and not allow their under siege responsibility of impartiality be impinged. It is scary beyond belief that there are judges on the SCOTUS and in your Federal Courts whose judicial thinking is politically motivated and appointed by this same President.
In Canada our Prime Minister almost lost an election for suggesting to our Minister of Justice a deferment agreement for a a Canadian company who committed fraud in dealing with the Congo. And he was entitled under our law to make that representation to the Minister.
Yet so many Americans seem unable to recognize what a disaster is Trump because they buy into his lies and his Ministry of Propaganda aka Fox News, Conway, Graham and McConnell etc. It is sad to see but America has become a Banana Republic.
13
Do any of us write our real names here, or are we already too afraid to? Whatever job we may lose is our livelihood, if its thousands per day or dollars per hour. God save us. Are we in the 1950's here...or other years in other countries?
3
Further proof, as if any were needed, that everything Trump touches dies.
So far, whoever replaces Trump will have to rebuild the State Dept, the EPA, and now the DOJ. Oh, and not to mention the USA’s reputation abroad.
5
Barr is feared because he won't do the democrats bidding - an odd demand from the folks who gave us an AG as "wingman" to President Obama.
As to the Stone case, he was investigated for something that did not exist and they did not find - collusion with Wikileaks. Yet the Mueller prosecutors sought 7-9 years, a bizarrely high sentence when there is no underlying crime. I wonder why - perhaps a hissy fit that they didn't nail the President?
4
Barr has already left the DOJ lawyers-- those who haven't resigned or left in disgust-- in the lurch when
-he stuck his nose into the Stone sentencing,
-secretly ordered an 'outside prosecutor to review-- as he called it-- the whole Flynn case and
-when the DOJ IG put out his report on the way the Russian investigation was conducted. The IG reported that there were irregularities and some procedures weren't exactly followed but the investigation was lawful and legal.
Barr made an statement that he disagreed with the findings and that his 'independent prosecutor Durham' was conducting his own investigation into the origins of that investigation basically saying that he would find --or create-- his own evidence that the Russian investigation was a 'witch hunt'
4
Our president is an uninformed, wannabe autocrat. He has found his Yes Man AG in Mr. Barr. It’s just another manifestation of the incompetent and chaotic, but oddly effective (for the low information voter), White House leadership.
A large chunk of the country just likes that Trump can act like an irritable, unpredictable bully. A larger chunk of the country will vote to throw the bum out.
Trump was elected in a “change election,” a phenomenon coined by Bill Clinton’s campaign, but ignored by Hilary Clinton’s myopic crew, which should have recognized that her success in politics and finance was attributable to her three decade attachment to her able husband. Didn’t make her incompetent, but she certainly didn’t represent change.
This is another change election where turnout will likely be at an all-time high. I’m hoping that the informed voters will outnumber the uninformed voters, especially in the swing states. I think the Democrats will win, unless Biden or Sanders winds up the nominee.
That ain’t change; it’s old, tired and predictable that’s unlikely to fire up a large turnout. And it’s a Trump victory playbook.
4
So, people who are commenting on this article believe that Bill Barr is doing "Trump's bidding" but who was controlling things when Loretta Lynch was AG? Was it her? Was it Barack Obama? Who knows? But the Director of the FBI, James Comey seemed to be making his own decisions. He admitted that he told Michael Flynn that he didn't really need an attorney present when being interviewed by Justice as it would only "slow things down." Well, I, for one, find Barr refreshing and not beholden to anyone except the law, as opposed to Loretta Lynch and Eric Holder, who referred to himself as "Obama's wingman."
Does anything else need to be said?
4
This is not a good time for our democracy.
3
I am not a "DoJ alum" so I cannot sign the letter that over 1100 attorneys who are former DoJ employees have published.
https://medium.com/@dojalumni/doj-alumni-statement-on-the-events-surrounding-the-sentencing-of-roger-stone-c2cb75ae4937
Quote
We welcome Attorney General Barr’s belated acknowledgment that the DOJ’s law enforcement decisions must be independent of politics; that it is wrong for the President to interfere in specific enforcement matters, either to punish his opponents or to help his friends; and that the President’s public comments on DOJ matters have gravely damaged the Department’s credibility. But Mr. Barr’s actions in doing the President’s personal bidding unfortunately speak louder than his words. Those actions, and the damage they have done to the Department of Justice’s reputation for integrity and the rule of law, require Mr. Barr to resign. But because we have little expectation he will do so, it falls to the Department’s career officials to take appropriate action to uphold their oaths of office and defend nonpartisan, apolitical justice.
End quote
I have changed the image associated with my account to the US flag upside down, in response to their letter.
That is a well known distress signal, which I will leave in place until we replace tweetie bird with a person competent to serve as POTUS.
2
If there is a way to impeach Barr, let's muddy the water and get after it. He is an embarrassment to the legal system and must leave one way or another.
2
The Justice Department’s revered reputation has indeed been soiled by Barr whose superficial words are merely a glaring attempt to cover for himself. Wanting it both ways, Barr unnecessarily paves the way for ‘reviews’ of cases in Washington. Contrary to what he supposedly told Trump in private ‘that he would not open politically inspired inquires on Trump’s behalf,’ his actions are thinly veiled attempts to do exactly that for the Impeached President.
Those in the Justice Dept. who have persisted in their vigilant attempts to rein in the destroyers of the rule of law, are to be commended and have earned admiration and sympathy. As they realize that following the impossible, improper orders they have endured from unscrupulous bosses is contrary to justice, they will take a stand.
There are other, better jobs that await them. When Democrats disempower the GOP in November, those who took a stand for what’s right will be remembered and reinstated or hired for other important positions.
6
There are some folks who better understand the importance of truth and objectivity. Unfortunately such folks are being increasingly marginalized or harassed or persecuted these days. To the degree the country runs on falsehood, it weakens itself terribly. Boeing made a false claim of being damaged by Bombardier in a competition for aircraft whose specifications Boeing could not meet. After great delay there was a ruling that Boeing's complaint was without merit. Meanwhile great damage was done to Bombardier. The company is now out of making aircraft for airlines. Is that good news for Boeing? All of Bombardier's technology has been sold to Airbus who are strongly ramping up production on the Bombardier design. Is it good news for the US? Boeing in the longer term is less competitive against stronger competition, and a lot of Canadians have been given a memorable example of how the United States is not fair or honourable in its trading behaviour - like putting tariffs on our Aluminum and steel based on us being a security threat. And its isn't as if you haven't been cheating forever on trade in softwood lumber. You can't be a lying bully forever and not loose something from it. I'm afraid of travel in the US because of a gun crazed culture and I'm not much motivated to get over that feeling, although there are huge numbers of really great Americans I admire. I hope the country gets over its crisis of honour. But the virus is very widely spread.
11
"All spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists, or for fear of job repercussions."
That may be true of some or most, but others may have been offering opinions based on imagined theories, political bias, old grievances such as being passed over for promotions. Or they were mad at their spouses. Who knows the motivation? Basically, all are assumptions and "fear of repercussions" may well be because they were not authorized to speak...no matter what the reasons. Then again, one of the things one learned at the University of Missouri School of Journalism was " spoke on the condition of anonymity" was too often code for "made up by the reporter."
6
Yawn. Old move, lazy move, FOX&Friends move.
Hey, as long as we’re traipsing down Memory Lane, how ‘bout a nice “feckless Obama (he’s bleck, you know) plays GOLF too much,” ha-ha? Or’d you lot finally figure out that it was prolly a bad idea to so much as mention golf, given the number of sunlit hours Hizzoner’s blown cheating and demanding Mulligans on the links at our expense?
3
Please don’t draw the University of Mississippi into your ball of obstruction.
@Maxy Green
I wrote Missouri not Mississippi. Does the University of Mississippi need defense against degradation?
It's not just the Justice Dept. lawyers who should worry. It's the rest of us: those of us who post our criticisms of 45 and his minions, including the AG, on social media and on forums like this one. We've seen again and again, including this week, that the three-letter agencies can easily find us. POTUS knows exactly how to wield the power of his office, and we are likely to see him do that if he is re-elected or if he loses and tries to retain office. It wouldn't take long to reopen Manzanar, Tule Lake, or Jerome. Be afraid, be very afraid.
5
Were these attorneys concerned when Trump violated the constitution by expropriating the House's ability to conduct a lawful impeachment?
6
Last night, I watched the excellent two-part series on Frontline titled “Putin’s Revenge.” The program, in part, highlighted Putin’s rise to power since his appointment in 1999, and his personal mistrust of the Bush and Obama administrations, bordering on unmitigated paranoia. The striking parallels between the Trump/Putin playbooks is no coincidence. Psychologically, the men share a consequential kinship of pure evil that cannot be ignored. The American people must now take to the streets with the hope of salvaging the remnants of America’s democracy and institutions. We have everything to lose.
12
Barr can go a long ways towards restoring his own personal credibility, and reinforcing the very threatened tradition that the Justice Department is administered as much as possible without political interference. Barr can resign, and make a strong public statement about why. But Barr won't, because all this is political theater, designed to distract from Trump's corruption, and to provide shelter for Trump's pardons of those who could otherwise implicate Trump. The payoffs are being set up - and Barr's 'interview' statements are part of the set up... to distract with the right hand while the left hand works to perform the dirty tricks.
Do the right thing, Barr. Resign.
8
@Jim Brokaw
This runs far deeper than most people imagine and it has all been in the making for at least 40 years. Trump was an accident but the best possible accident that the 'deep state' could have imagined - he is predictable and malleable. The deep state sent Barr on a mission and he'll never resign. Trump will never resign.
And, no matter the outcome of the November election, neither Trump nor the Republicans will relinquish power. The Supreme Court will back them up. The Justice Department will try to quell any protests, and if necessary, the 'president' will declare a state of emergency, send in the national guard or establish a police state. Failing that, he will unleash the white nationalists, most who are heavily armed nihilists.
This is what unfettered, self-proclaimed kings do absent a Congress unable or unwilling to perform their sworn oath of office.
3
Americans today are terribly jaded and cynical not only because of the constant streams of lies spewed from His Heinous's mouth, but because our institutions are rapidly crumbling. The bastions that once knitted American society together are falling apart, leaving many feeling un-anchored to anything. I'm a progressive Dem and not a huge fan of organized religion, etc. but I recognize that such an anchor serves and important social purpose (I'm a Unitarian). Corporations once provided job security and pensions for their people instead of forcing workers to work three minimum-wage jobs to survive. The once-trusted news media has separated into tribal factions and cesspools of opinion (O, spirit of Walter Cronkite /where art thou?). Politicians have always fought, but they once at least pretended to have a modicum of decency and respect for their oaths to protect the Constitution. The office of the President meant something. And now we have the Justice Department being debased by Trumpism, and the Law being upended right and left, with no justice being meted out. With all of these institutions crumbling, the dream of democracy dying, and an oligarchic kakistocracy having taken over, I fear we will be buried beneath an earthquake from which we will never recover.
10
There can be no doubt that Donald Trump fully intends to interfere with federal prosecutions and sentences until the courts stop him.
There should also be no doubt that the Attorney General is fully complicit in the Trump politicization of our justice system William Barr’s complaint about Trump’s tweets was a rehearsed statement, dripping with insincerity.
6
What I can't get over is that it's the party that has, for decades, claimed loudly to be the "real Americans", patriots and defenders of the Constitution....and its base, which has walked lockstep behind Trump and Barr, et al, as they take our democracy down.
10
The only fear anyone in the Justice Department should have about their reputation is just how bad it has become and not whether it has been damaged.
3
I'm afraid it's a bit too late. The DOJ has already acted as Trump's personal agency. As did the Senate and the chief justice of the supreme Court who presided over a sham trial.
8
@rational
The Chief Justice played a limited role in the official proceedings but I am not aware of any rule that would prevent him from making comments once the trial was over.
3
@Bunbury it's true he had limited role to play. The definition of courage is to speak out when you see an egregious violation of the spirit of the law. If the chief justice hides behind "i was just doing my job" excuse, then we have no hope that we will have a honest government.
1
This is getting so brazen that when the pendulum swings back to the rule of law, it's gonna really be something. But when. you ask? When Trump goes too far, and having beaten the impeachment rap, there can be no doubt he will go to far.
All that's left is fot the voters to finally realize the only conspiracy is the one covering for Trump. Crime used to be against the law, but for Trump and his associates, it no longer is.
4
If McCabe walks, so must Flynn. Both committed the same crimes. It is that simple.
4
Totally wrong. Just another example of false equivalency - but keep believing the lies and spin while your democracy is destroyed.
5
@RGV No - Flynn admitted to lying, and tried to cut a deal that in the end he didn't like. Now he is back pedaling. They never found anything on McCabe which is why the investigation was dropped.
18 indictments from the Mueller probe and more than a few fail sentences? No matter how you look at it - Team Trump stinks. And the GOP is just holding its nose and using the confusion to push their agenda through because they can't do it honestly or out in the open.
4
If the AG had even the tiniest smidgen of personal integrity he would simply resign.
The fact that he hasn't, and won't, tells you everything you need to know about him and his relationship to 45.
Period.
Remember in November.
Vote Blue. No matter who.
8
Barr in the interview said that everyone was in their own box on the 7-9 years, i.e. reaching their positions independently (with the exception of Trump who thinks Stone should be let off, because he was working for him, like all his fixers). Nothing on the law, itself, who wrote it, and how it has been received and enforced over the years. Many, if not most, of these laws are not invoked, except on the most egregious of occasions, with the punishment severe to discourage any future violation.
Stone knowingly flouted the law and Trump supports him in this. The question here: Is Trump really that ignorant of the law or is it his goal, as the evidence always seems to say, that it is his intention to break as many of these laws as he can, to undermine the rule of law in the U.S.?
Being generous to Barr, is it his intention to give a President leeway in his options, or is it his intention to allow a President to routinely break the law? One can't help but think, that he shares the extreme partisanship of currant politics in all these matters. We are still waiting for the report on why Epstein was allowed to hang himself. Epstein was a confidant of Trump and at one time worked for Barr's father.
4
As a citizen of this failing country I once loved, I firmly believe trump is indeed undermining the DOJs reputation. I no longer trust our government. Full stop.
4
The horse is well and truly out of the barn on this one. The Justice Department has no credibility left thanks to its leader. Both lying and bias seem just fine these days. Hopefully, the 1,100 and those internally who have maintained the ability for independent thought will be enough, but I doubt it.
6
If it hasn't already, the term "Democracy" is on its way to becoming a punchline.
Unacceptable. Inexcusable.
2
Anything #45 touches turns to #2.
11
Well said YogaGal, well said indeed :)
3
@YogaGal
You got that right.
I like think of him as the anti-Midas.
2
In 1991, President Bush was impressed with Barr's management of the Talladega federal prison hostage crisis, he nominated him as Attorney General.
"Barr enjoyed a "sterling reputation" among Republican and Democratic politicians alike. His two-day confirmation hearing was "unusually placid", and he was received well by both Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Barr was approved unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee, was confirmed by voice vote by the full Senate, and was sworn in as Attorney General on November 26, 1991."
And now, fast forward to February 2020.
How far and low this bar has fallen in almost 30 years.
4
@Marge Keller Yes, Barr has set a new "bar" for himself which is below ground, in Trump's viper pit.
1
Barr will soon be gone.
By now, it's a well-established pattern:
Trump directs a high-ranking cabinet officer to defend or cover up some disgraceful action. Cabinet officer does so, only to receive more, and increasingly disgraceful, demands.
Eventually, the process triggers public revulsion on a scale that forces to officer to confront the president directly in an attempt to end the demands. We know how Trump cannot and will not accept counsel of this kind.
In response, Trump publicly humiliates official for a time, then forces them from office in disgrace.
Sessions, Kelly, McMaster--no one who serves this president escapes without damage.Barr will soon be gone.
By now, it's a well-established pattern:
Trump directs a high-ranking cabinet officer to defend or cover up some disgraceful action. Cabinet officer does so, only to receive more, and increasingly disgraceful, demands.
Eventually, the process triggers public revulsion on a scale that forces to officer to confront the president directly in an attempt to end the demands. We know how Trump cannot and will not accept counsel of this kind.
In response, Trump publicly humiliates official for a time, then forces them from office in disgrace.
Sessions, Kelly, McMaster--no one who serves this president escapes without damage to their professional reputation or public standing.
1
Trump’s presence is poison no matter where, who, what or when. But.........
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
5
The Justice Department, its journeyman staff of "commitrd" attorneys, are agents of the state, working within the aegis of the executive branch. The President and his appointed Attorney General are within their rights to review sentences, initiate or dismiss prosecutions, and change, if they chose tu, the priorities pursuant to which prosecutions are pursued. Should certain staff members object to the current leadership of the Justice Department, they have the option of resigning - not the other way around - which in my neck ofk of the shtetl is called unbridled Chutzpah. Get real, folks!
2
Sorry Justice Department but your reputation has been going down hill for the last two years. Barr's recent theatrics are just the icing on the cake. The justice department under both Sessions and Barr has been and adjunct to Michael Cohen's legal services for Donald Trump. Any one he wanted protected the department protected, the limitations on the Mueller Probe and then the Barr Summary negated that. The Trump Administration is basically corrupt and the Justice Department perhaps the most corrupt of all.
4
Why has Trump, uncharacteristically, retreated to radio silence concerning the DOJ decision not to prosecute Andrew McCabe? The answer is that Barr convinced Trump that the only way to prevent a mass insurrection by career DOJ attorneys, an embarrassment both to Barr and to the President, was to create a faux opportunity for Barr to demonstrate that nothing and no one will compromise his absolute dedication to the fair administration of justice. Of course, the charade can work only so long as Trump refrains from attacking the handling of the McCabe matter.
Good luck with that, Mr. Attorney General.
5
There are 110,000 employees of the Justice Department. Therefore a mere 1,100 signing a letter has to be kept in perspective.
3
Oh, the moral outrage !
Our selective memory allows to forget the fact that every prior Attorneys General, from Robert Kennedy ( the President's brother !!), Ed Meese ( Nixon's henchman) to Eric Holder (completely beholden to Obama), and all others in between, have done the president's bidding. That's one of the reasons each president choose them. Conversely, no matter who the president, you defy him and you are gone. Every president behaves this way.
And why, in particular, the moral outrage over Roger
Stone ? I would suggest that the citizens of this country have about a thousand more important issues to care about than how much time Stone serves. Yet, like the lemmings we are, we get stirred into a frenzy by our cable news networks of choice.
Embezzlers, tax evaders, even rapists and thieves, often get lesser sentences than Mr. Stone. So, honestly, truly, are we really , sincerely, outraged by Stone's sentencing.? Or is it just because we allow ourselves to get twisted into knots every time this president does anything in his typically brash and insensitive manner. He's got us right where he wants us -doesn't he ?
5
"No one is as good at hiring an unscrupulous lawyer as Donald Trump" the Boston Globe
Barr tried to distance himself from Trump with his recent tweets. This indicates to me that Mr. Barr is fully aware his of his own criminal conduct and obligations to the office he holds!
Instead of upholding the law, Mr. Barr deliberately chooses to be complicit and conspiratorial with Mr. Trumps criminal schemes! One of Barr's predecessors and a Deputy Attorney General resigned rather than carry out President Nixon's demands.
Barr suffers no such qualms of decency. He is far more dangerous than Mr. Trump ! Barr is using his knowledge of the law to maliciously subvert it; more effectively than any criminal could ever hope to! This manipulation by Attorney General Barr is most egregious and should offend all law abiding patriots.
He needs to be impeached by Congress, now! Shameful to say, but the Republican Senators, to my knowledge don't owe William Barr any allegiance. Because of the impeachment trial sham, the Republican senators may be inclined to vote for Barr's impeachment in an attempt to salvage some of their reputations.
1
Trump and Barr have tarnished the reputation of the DOJ and people are losing confidence in its work. It;s time to start repairing this situation with Barr's departure.
2
The Departments of State and Justice lie in tatters, totally beholden to the power of a single corrupt man, enabled by a vindictive GOP.
Why would the GOP backers want to cut the US citizens off from the world, and destroy the concept of fair justice in domestic law?
4
I suppose I’m looking forward to that glorious day when Trumpists start saying that enough is enough, or at least actually address a serious issue without trying to get everybody to look elsewhere or confuse the silly stuff they pulled out of their own, ah, head with actual facts and evidence. Maybe they’ll even figure out how to get names, dates and spellings straight as well.
Unfortunately, that glorious day seems a long way off.
There are only a few ways to explain this kind of pigheaded nuttery, and none of them are nice.
5
Every day another nail in the coffin of US credibility.
Trump has taken your country over a cliff.
Things will never be the same again.
Should he win a second term there will be nothing left to salvage.
3
Short answer. He is. And not enough people are resigning.l in protest. And Republicans are showing their true stripes. So disappointing.
1
Don't forget - Trump was the one who took out full page ads calling for the death penalty of the Central Park 5 - all of whom were innocent in the end.
3
Rule of law is important. That is all.
2
A fear that he is undermining their reputation? A fear? It is the absolute reality. He is undermining the reputation of every single government department and agency. Everything Trump touches dies.
3
Justice Department must not become another cheap political hack. Look at the many former prosecutors who've signed a letter for Barr to step down.
3
The real fear at DOJ is Democrat’s trying to undermine the Republic.
1
Mr. Barr is a breath of fresh air after eight years with Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch.
2
@DJOHN Fascinating how I read your comment then chanced on an old (1984) New York Times article -- "Strange Animals Thrive on Poison in Shallow Water." Golly, that describes Barr and those who appreciate him!
4
@DJOHN
Seriously!?!
1
@Deb Uh, yeah! You need to read more than just the NYT.
and ... as the pitch fork turns in Washington DC ... the questions arise; Does Barr have a backbone ? Is there even a shred of Ethics in his brain or heart ?? (laughter, off-stage)
Stay tuned for next exciting episode of; "The Emperor Has No Clothes".
3
To paraphrase Edmund Burke, 18th century Irish statesman, philosopher, member of the British Parliament and of the House off Commons: "A Great America and little minds go ill together."
3
The problem is not Trump nor Barr. We know they are criminals and should be expelled.
The problem is the GOP who became Trump's cultists. Im shocked to see Senators whom he has trashed, kneeling before him, and kissing his hands and feet.
Take Cruz, Rubio, Lindsey, and recall all the nasty things he said about them during the election. Of course a bunch of others even though they were booted out keep kissing his feet (e.g. Sessions). What is wrong with these people that they are so enamored by this modern day Jim Jones?
I am worried that our elections will be meddled again and the Trump cultists will simply ignore his behavior. Of course if that happens, violence may not be far behind. We will trust no one and will be afraid to speak up. Just the way Trump and Barr want it.
5
Barr has been advocating for an all powerful president for decades. Like all horror movies the most satisfying moment is when the monster eats its creator. Pass the popcorn, please.
2
“Do not speak of “our institutions” unless you make them yours by acting on their behalf. Institutions do not protect themselves. They fall one after the other unless each is defended from the beginning.” From Timothy Snyder’s book, “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century “
Trump set out from the very beginning to demonize, discredit and dismantle our time honored institutions! He’s a tyrant.
3
If a person can believe in heaven and the devil, eternal reward and eternal punishment, then he can believe that justice means unquestioned presidential power. Delusionality is a very slippery slope.
3
I hate to tell you, but that ship has sailed. Anything trump touches dies, and the credibility of the DOJ was on life support with Sessions, and it’s definitely DOA with Barr.
4
Now they're fearful?
2
The fear is warranted.
trump’s behavior is unchecked by the cabinet, the trump-controlled senate prevents congress from exercising oversight, and we are still waiting for a case to reach the Supreme Court. Other court decisions have been mixed.
Face it. We live under an autocrat. A dictator. An ignorant president who is never in doubt of his decisions and who relies on nobody. He distrusts everybody. And sill, his orders are followed .
One mistake and we are all toast. Literally toast. I think trump is itching to use a nuclear weapon.
Maybe that’s why he isn’t concerned about climate change. There is no long term.
5
@Steve Ell I can tell the countries Trump would NOT target with a nuclear weapon.
Russia
North Korea
Saudi Arabia
Turkey and any other society that is ruled by a Despot!
2
William Barr doesn’t really require any assistance from Individual-1 in undermining DOJ’s reputation. He can do it all by himself, he’s a big boy.
5
Between barr and sessions it's thoroughly already undermined
2
It is the job of McConnell to support Speaker Pelosi in an eventual impeachment process of Barr...without McConnell 'support the effort to impeach him will be doom to fail if the senate is not ready to remove him during a fair trial (not to act as a kangaroo court AGAIN)
3
Some folks are just figuring this out? Before this is all over, Trump will throw of all of his children and wives under the bus.
3
@Michael Epton
Worse yet, Trumps minnie me children will all believe their perfect and enter politics too!
1
Give Trump a citizenship test- he does NOT know the basics of our government!
He is running things like he ran his corrupt businesses-
the thing with Barr is insane. He needs to resign or be fired.
5
The Left’s sudden love of all things formerly identified with the Soviet Union is truly mind-boggling.
There was a time when Liberals supported the elected president’s constitutional oversight of the military; and supported the elected presidents constitutional oversight of the Executive Branch, (including the DOJ); and supported the elected presidents right to chose his or her own ambassadors, Security Council, and other significant Executive Branch staff.
The elected president’s right to run the military and Executive Branch was not even disputed.
Today, because of TDS, Leftists want to stand the constitution on its head, and they demand the elected president acquiesce to the will of the unelected bureaucrats.
No wonder people have come to understand Liberals hate democracy - it’s obvious Liberals now love the deep state.
5
I think the relationship between William Barr and his father Donald needs closer scrutiny. It was his father Donald who hired Jeffrey Epstein, a 21-year old who had dropped out of college, to teach at Dalton, the school where Donald Barr was headmaster. Donald Barr, a staunch conservative, was eventually fired from Dalton, after a parents' revolt.
It's fascinating to hear Dalton alumni and Horace Mann alumni (where William went to high school) talk about their experiences with both Barrs. It fills in a lot of the blanks:
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/10/the-untold-tale-of-young-william-barr
10
Another nonsense article for the Nytimes, that ultimately helps Trump and hardens polarization. The article does not describe the majority opinion of those working at the DOJ, just those with intense biases to communicate with the NYtimes. We also know that the DOJ goes astray and requires oversight, which Barr has a fiduciary duty to provide. Anyone half way intelligent will recognize this, and these type of articles ultimately harden Trump's support, and also contributes to political polarization, as we are seeing with Bernie being number 1 on the democrat's site.
Barr is corrupt. Not much more needed than that. Corrupt people do not resign until the only other option is to be fired/dismissed/impeached. Trump is corrupt and would never fire his lackey AG. It is up to the people.
It is past time for the House Judiciary Committee to subpoena Barr, enforce the subpoena using the powers of inherent contempt, on pain of fine, if not confinement, and thereby obtain his testimony under oath, with questioning by committee staff lawyers as originally planned.
Then, they can move to censure and impeachment.
2
The Constitution explicitly assigns the president the power to sign or veto legislation, command the armed forces, ask for the written opinion of their Cabinet, convene or adjourn Congress, grant reprieves and pardons, and receive ambassadors.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powers_of_the_president_of_the_United_States
This is truly ridiculous. Trump is undermining a lot more than the Justice Department:
-The military
-Diplomacy
-Democracy
-The Rule of Law
5
Appearance. That has been Trump's strategy all along. Now he wants it to appear as if Barr is not his lapdog. Many will believe it. Many enough? Time will tell.
Katie, Sharon and Nicole
The entire Federal government is being undermined
2
“ Fearful of Trump’s Attacks, Justice Dept. Lawyers Worry Barr Will Leave Them Exposed”
That’s a healthy fear.
Trump has no legal boundaries now as he has declared himself above any law in the land, and will pardon all of his criminal thugs, because the greedy self-righteous Republicans will not confront the self-appointed King Trump. Trump and the cowardly Republicans have destroyed our democracy.
1
Why was Trump asking the Treasury and the DOJ to interfere in the SDNY prosecution of the Turkish State owned Halkbank bank? The bank was indicted for interfering in Iranian oil sanctions.
This is an affront to National Security if the POTUS can direct executive Departments to interfere in federal prosecutions for personal political favors. This certainly wasn’t in the US interest.
Should a special prosecutor be called in to investigate this?
https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/wyden-halkbank.pdf
8
McCabe, Comey, the FISA crew, Rosenthal, Sessions, Barr. I wouldn’t worry too much about tarnishing the reputation of this glee club of desperados. I’d worry about improving its reputation.
Undermining or blowing it up?
My compliments to whoever runs Central Casting for Trump. You never could find a better actor to portray character qualities of a corrupt stooge, sellout and thug. His visual presence alone, including posture and facial expression, telegraphs that message.
2
Color me shocked ! shocked ! to hear the DOJ won’t prosecute an Anti-Trump employee for obvious criminal conduct.
Hopefully, after his re-election, President Trump will fire everyone in the DOJ.
Articles like this are part of the leftist disinformation campaign to destroy Bill Barr.
Clearly, Democrats and ‘progressives’ fear what he and Mr Durham will have to report to the nation about Democrat malfeasance towards Trump in 2016 and 2017.
1
Somewhere Roy Cohn is smiling.
Is there such a thing as white collar crime anymore?
With Dump and Barr it certainly seems not. Nixon and Mitchell would be proud and are cheering them on from wherever they may be.
Dump is turning George Orwell into a prophet. 2020 is the new 1984.
I am not sure whether enough American voters can appreciate what is going on. The noise, the lack of understanding of our civics and history and the medicine show histrionics all make it very hard to know that the next election is critical.
The history of this has been repeated many times in the past...when the Nazis took over no one spoke up and those that did, were eliminated eventually; during Joe McCarthy 's reign of terror---no one spoke up until thousand of lives and families were destroyed; and now we have career lawyers who mostly are doing their jobs being called part of the "Deep State", and complain about the same thing that happened several times in our history---political interference in out justice system (you can't make this up).
In the words of Joe Welsh:
"Have you no sense of decency?"
Indeed, we seem to have lost it and it will take a long time to bring it back.
2
"Reputation of the Justice Department"? You must be kidding. The department that protected the KKK? That didn't prosecute a single one of the banksters that threw millions of workers out of their jobs and homes? That refused to prosecute a single one of the myriad killer cops? That refused to prosecute the profiteers that knowingly poison our food and water? The InJustice Department that framed untold innocent Muslims, Black and Native American activists? The Democrats and their official organ, the NYT, in their twisted zeal to score points against the vile Trump, are posturing themselves to the right of Trump. Indeed, we are presented with the FBI, CIA, ICE, Justice Department, et al, as champions of the Democrats, instead of the mortal enemies of working people and democratic rights, that these cops and spy agencies are in truth. It is disgusting.
1
The fate of Ms. Liu is instructional: Do your job and suffer the consequences. She is much better off out of this disgraceful government.
3
On top of his blatant corruption and likely criminal behavior, Bill Barr even does that weird Trumpian uterine sign with his hands when he sits (see photo of him in the article). Add it to the list of reasons he should resign.
2
It should be obvious to all thinking people that Bill Barr is simply the Trump Family Lawyer, period, full stop!
2
Heroes are not all found on the violent battlefields of war………..
America has just discovered many fighting for our country's freedom from tyranny within the national political arena……….
We soon may see another "wall" placed on the Washington Mall dedicated to those casualties who suffered fighting the tyranny of Donald Trump……..
May God and a thankful America bless them one and all……..
2
As long as we’re on to allegedly introducing bias into the JD, I’ll have to search the archives for stories decrying Eric Holder for acting as Barack Obama’s ‘wingman’ instead of AG for the nation, or for stories decrying Loretta Lynch’s amazingly coincidental tarmac meeting with Bill Clinton to discuss the Hillary investigation results... I mean... er... to discuss ‘golf and grandkids.’
1
Barr must be impeached. We must send a message that he's beyond the pale. No one except Trump has done more from within the government to harm the rule of law in America, & I noted a while back that Trump & the GOP were destroying the pillars of democracy: https://realcontextnews.com/trump-gop-destroying-the-pillars-of-democracy/
A fear?? Really? There is no "fear?" It's already happened. If he's re-elected...he'll start trying to take over the media and tell them what they can and cannot print. Is the media then going to put out headlines like.."There is fear that he's taking over the media?" And then under that headline will be, "we'd tell you how but we're not allowed to print it." It's way past time to put the reality in the headlines without worrying whether they'll hurt his widdle feewings or not.
1
“Undermining”? God help us! With dynamite and a bulldozer!
1
Too late for Barr to be whining, you'd have to be an idiot to not invited what you are getting into when you associate with Trump
First, 2/16, 2:23PM
1
trump is a plague that is highly contagious.
1
This newspaper is so politically polluted and so without journalistic standards it cannot opine on the Roger Stone case without using it for a hatchet job. I, without bias toward or against Stone, studied the sentencing guidelines for like cases.
The point system is clearly being used to screw Stone, the recommendation for over nine years is based largely on his utterance of a verbal threat that could technically be serious out of a serially violent person, which he is not. In his case it amounts to an old man mouthing off. The rest is his misrepresentations to Congress, not unlike James Clapper.
Stone is being hung out to dry as compensation for the failed soft coup via impeachment against Trump. It's appalling, and likewise the lack of class or dignity or honesty here at the NYT is appalling.
1
With apologies to "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" - Facts? We don't need to see you no stinking facts.
Where is my Roy Cohn?, Trump lamented when Sessions was still AG. With Barr he has his Cohn. This is a mob presidency.
1
Democrat: Barr is corrupt.
republican: So was Holder.
Democrat:trump is a scoundrel.
republican:Obama was a scoundrel.
republican:Democrats suck.
Democrat:Republicans suck.
Putin: Mission completed. Without one shot being fired.
I thought Hillary should have won in 2016, but there is something not right with the US Justice system - that top end operatives like Padesa, McCabe, Comny get nothing or fines, but low end schmucks like Papadopolis, Stone, Flynn, are getting 2x a rapist does not seem right. Manafort who was senior for a few weeks - was partners with Padesa Bros, and he has life in prison.
And now we find that the Forewoman in the Stone trial is a Democratic politician? That, along with the SWAT team and CNN take down makes this looks really odd and vindictive.
1
"the Justice Department’s treasured reputation for upholding the law without favor or political bias"
No, it never had that reputation among those of us who had to deal with them. It is what it has always been.
14
@Mark Thomason
"No, it never had that reputation among those of us who had to deal with them. It is what it has always been."
You'll have to provide at least an iota of evidence for a great big claim like that. Otherwise it's just cynicism, and cynicism is, in and of itself, just another lie--a lie which only benefits the liar in chief.
3
@Mark Thomason: Everyone is biased. Few can put their own perspective aside to view a situation from another angle.
1
@Steve Bolger
"Everyone is biased. Few can put their own perspective aside to view a situation from another angle."
I don't quite see the pertinence of your reply? It isn't a question of whether or not we have biases or partisanship. The question is, can we and do we check them at the door when we should? That is, do we let them have influence where such influence would be improper, undemocratic, illegal, unseemly, or unconstitutional? For example, a good doctor checks their partisanship and other biases at the door, and gives every one of their patients the same high quality of care. Mark says the DOJ is and always has been the same unfair, partisan (i.e., corrupt) DOJ that we are now witnessing under Barr--in which Barr and his senior staff are intentionally taking their biases and partisanship into the office with them, on behalf of he who shall not be named. I disagree with Mark. No better evidence exists than the long string of exemplary career professionals from the Department of State, Republicans and Democrats alike, who testified at the House impeachment hearings.
1
Jessie K Liu is another profile in courage. I was so relieved to hear that the case against Andrew McCabe had been dropped. Now to find out that Ms Liu lost her job at DOJ and then her job at the Treasury Dept sabotaged by Trump followers. This is what is happening to public servants who act with integrity and my heart goes out to them. In the long term they have self respect and the honor of true patriots.
34
@Kathleen
Numerous references to McCabe’s ‘lack of candor’ and yet he skates.
‘Lack of candor’ means he lied.
That alone is probably worth a few thousand more votes for Trump.
Most people see through the rancid bias and reject it.
Individual field offices may be just fine, or maybe not. But Washington, both the DOJ and the FBI, have lost my faith in their departments, save as shills for Trump's wishes.
There is not a 'rule of law' standard any longer. I do sincerely hope that the Democrats or another Republican, one not controlled by Mitch McConnell, take the reins and wipe the slate clean, to regain faith, and the practice of law.
14
What about the reputation of the country? Are we seeing a "democracy-in-name-only" exposed for what Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton cobbled together by way of a toothless "constitution"?
Even the Brits seem to have a constitutional monarchy with better checks and balances.
Is this a legacy of hollowing-out of this system that started even before Reagan?
8
The simple truth of this is that Trump is taking advantage of the fact that prosecutorial process has been run under a set of norms, not statute.
He has done this repeatedly in his term of office and it has slowly dawned on the GOP that this is how they can effectively own the future of our Republic.
The disarray of the Democrats signals a fractured opposition that plays directly into a minority/majority government such as we have.
With no need to honor tradition, norms or "outdated" notions of justice, the current administration can legally warp the nation into an oligarchy that is the image of Putin's Russia.
With opposition looking more like Corbyn's Labour party the Democrats may find themselves on the fringes for a very long time.
8
That’s well put.
In case you haven't noticed Trump is doing everything in his power to undermine and destroy every system that he has faced that went against him in the years prior to his presidency. He's undermining the EPA because as a developer he's been constrained by EPA rules. He's undermining the safety net that poor Americans have relied on for decades, because those poor Americans have fought him and won in courts while he was a slum lord in NYC. He wants to undermine the judicial system because he's lost there so many times. He wants to appoint "conservative" judges whom he hopes will ratify his actions, while conning evangelicals that he's appointing judges that will support anti-abortion members. And, he is benefiting the ultra rich and mega-multinational corporations which are more like himself and his family corporation that the common blue collar worker in America.
If this person is not removed from office, he'll destroy what we understand as America and turn it into something none of us want to be part of.
26
These Justice department prosecutors fear that Trump has undermined their agency's reputation. Well it has gone well beyond fear to an actuality. If they have been worried for three years where have been their voices?
4
This letter released today is historic, as was the televised testimony in the house impeachment process. The longer this administration goes on, the more the unraveling of our constitution progresses and is revealed. The distribution of misinformation and misdirection of fact is taking hold through social media.
It is more important than ever that patriots through their actions in the form of truth tellers, educate and remind citizens on the fundamentals of a free society, and the symptoms of authoritarianism. It is critical that we as a free society protect them. Eight months and counting.
7
It’s not the fear that Trump is undermining their reputation that lawyers for the Justice Dept are worried about.
It’s the fact that he IS undermining their reputation is what lawyers for the Justice Dept are worried about.
1
7 to 9 years for being convicted of lying to Congress doesn’t seem outrageous to me. What’s outrageous to me is that he didn’t get a longer sentence.
It’s up to the judge anyway, right? There are sentencing guidelines that prosecutors and judges work from. The Judiciary is a separate branch of government. They are not beholden to Trump or Barr.
9
I've been saying for some time now that I've been most amazed by how quickly and completely Trump corrupted the DOJ. I think that this is a done deal and has been for some time. DOJ lawyers should have been resigning in protest months if not years ago over how much political interference had become the symbol of their department. It's good to see that some are now pushing back, but I fear it is too little, far too late.
3
When Ms. Liu refused to contrive criminal charges against Andrew McCabe her career was over. Just let that sink in. That is corruption at its most transparent and blatantly destructive to our nation's 'rule of law.'
I'm proud of the 1100 former DOJ who have asked for Barr's resignation and of the four prosecutors who courageously resigned in the face of Barr's interference in the Roger Stone sentencing. I hope the judge will not be intimidated and sentence Stone the same way as anyone who has been convicted of seven felonies. Especially when the felonies were involved with interfering in our presidential election.
16
Is there a department in the U.S. government NOT worried about the damage being done to its reputation? I'd be surprised to learn, if so.
5
@P. B. Edwards See the book It's Worse than You Think by David Cay Johnston, which details how Trump has down sized EPA, DOE, Agriculture, and other departments, and told the CDC what they can and can't study. Years of professional experience and expertise have been lost by pushing out employees who think for themselves rather than act as Trump's minions. Trump and the GOP don't care for experts, facts, evidence, honest debate, science, etc..
2
I read the story on "More than 1,100 former prosecutors and officials who served in Republican and Democratic administrations signed an open letter condemning the president and the attorney general over the Stone case." What i'd like to see is a huge phalanx of current prosecutors and those administration officials which have morals and guts joining. A revolution gave the US its birth. A revolution now will keep it alive.
6
@rivvir Ordinary citizens can consider helping lincolnproject.us (working to publicize reasons not to vote for Trump). The Indivisible group (on facebook) is working to promote respect for democracy.
1
Look, there's power in numbers. Why don't they use their collective power, education, knowledge and experience and DO something about.
No excuses for anything but.
4
@Fromjersey They are FORMER DoJ prosecutors; what would you have them do? A public letter is about all they CAN do.
1
That Trump will harm the Justice Department's reputation and Barr will not protect them should not be a fear for the department's lawyers. It should be a REALIZATION. This is not something that might happen in the future. It's a fact and it will get worse.
6
The notion that DOJ lawyers are just now beginning to worry that Barr, on behalf of Trump, might do something in the future is a sign of how unprepared Americans are to recognize and defeat the premeditated plans of those who would quietly turn our country into a dictatorship. I am haunted by the passage in How Democracies Fall that chronicles all the recent dictators who have taken power peacefully, from within democracies, because the people don't believe it can happen and don't see the warning signs, and the other democratic leaders think they can control the popular dictator once he's in power.
6
There’s a reason why in art Justice is depicted as blindfolded. Barr does not appear impartial and it’s hard to believe that, despite appearances, he is impartial. We cannot have confidence the Justice Department is working in the interest of all Americans. Barr needs to resign. At the same time, does anyone really believe Trump would choose an Attorney General who won’t politicize and corrupt the Justice Department?
2
Just what is it the Republicans are afraid of?
That -
Trump may one day actually tell the truth - honesty may prevail
America will again show its compassion for the weak
The wealthy believe socialism but only theirs
The poor be revealed as the source of the billionaires wealth
The stock market is fixed
Elections are fixed
The law favors the wealthy
AND
Their corruption is systemic
2
Beware! Even, after Trump and the Republicans in the Senate are no longer in power.
The 2016 election of Donald Trump has put two additional Trump/Republican judges on the Supreme Court for a majority of judges that determine what the Constitution says.
The Roberts' court has clearly favors businesses and the Trump presidency over Congress and citizens rights.
Also, Trump has added hundreds of unqualified Trump/Republican judges on the Federal courts. Here too, these judges will be determining what the Constitution says.
Bottom line, if you like Republican justice, which we are witnessing today, you will like the Republican justice over the next 40 years.
Voting out Trump and the Republican Senate will not save us from lifetime Republican judges left behind to shape our future over the next 40 years in a Republican way.
4
@Listening to Others
‘Unqualified’ to a ‘progressive’ means does not toe a leftist line.
1
@Listening to Others "Voting out Trump and the Republican Senate will not save us from lifetime Republican judges left behind to shape our future over the next 40 years in a Republican way." But it is a good start.
Trump is that President much like having two tokens on an exiting game board. To win the game both pieces move around the board in expectation of safely arriving home. Indeed, both pieces do march forward in expectation of sublime glory but one of those pieces has this wonky tendency to always move forward one space and then immediately move backward two spaces! It hits you mid-play that you’ll never arrive home. Sorry.
So I guess 1,100 career justice department attorneys will now have to start looking for new jobs?
"At Justice Dept., a Fear That Trump Is Undermining the Agency’s Reputation"
Ya think?
Next thing you know, people will start to fear that Trump is undermining confidence in facts, coarsening public discourse, and degrading the dignity of the presidency.
4
You get what you vote for. If the support for Trump comes from the fact that he is stacking the courts whats happens when the rule of law is gone? Someone please explain the logic of this all?
2
Now’s a fine time to notice what has been happening since day 1! The corruption started immediately and has been creeping throughout all departments ever since. Not a new phenomenon!
2
From Trump's point of view there might be good reasons to damage the DoJ and people's trust in it. If he has fears that a future DoJ under a future administration might look into the possibility of fraud and tax evasion in his business, it would make sense, in a warped way, to try to make it harder for such an administration to go after him - to lessen the credibility of any charges sought. The damage to the country would merely be a cost of doing business.
4
Congressional oversight of the president has been shutdown by Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell.
The DOJ’s independence has been shutdown by Donald Trump and William Barr.
This leaves one of the last lines of oversight to federal judges, an unprecedented number of whom have been recommended by William Barr, appointed by Donald Trump and rubber stamped by Mitch McConnell.
So the American people have nothing to worry about. There’s nothing to see here. Go on about your business.
2
It is impossible that Barr does not understand the optics of his transgressions. Either Trump has something on him to coerce him or he loves power so much he is gleefully having uniforms made up for the day he assumes his duties under America's first autocratic regime.
1
As most of us with half a brain know, you must get rid of the traditional status of the Justice Dept. as that of an independent agency not under control of anyone, and take control of it as Trump has done, so that you can take autocratic control of the country. The Justice Dept. lawyers need to just shut up and do as they are told. Trump is in control now and all government agencies must come to him and beg his permission before they do anything. He has succeeded in doing what he set out to do as soon as he was inaugurated and installed in the White House. The Republican controlled Senate could have prevented this but they kind of like being part of the apparatus that controls and runs the country. And besides, they're terrified Trump might ban them to non existence if they oppose him in any way. To paraphrase an old cheer, the president is dead, long live the king.
Justice dept doesn’t have much of a reputation. Everything is viewed thru party lines.
2
Let us praise the 1100 former DOJ lawyers who have called for Barr's resignation. Who knows what's to follow, but it's something.
2
I agree with Trump and Barr. The majority of the country does. The visceral hatred for Trump has transmitted the Left into an alien world that neither JFK or FDR would remotely recognize.
3
The hatred is not coming from the “left”, whatever you mean by that. It’s coming from patriotic Americans who love their country and believe in the rule of law.
@John
Disagree. Antifa is Left. As were/are the Nazis. Peruse the late night "comedy" shows (and SNL) and it's all anti-Trump diatribes. Hillary's deplorables statement confirmed what everyone knows. NYT and WaPo are negative. If the employment numbers we have now occurred under a Lefty, the NYT would be trumpeting POTUS for Mt. Rushmore. When is the last time Haberman (or any of them) wrote something positive about the country or critical of the anti-Semitism of the Left? If you're going to criticize Trump's tweets (which is fair), be willing to criticize Schiff, Nadler and Pelosi. Trump has his issues, to be sure, as all politicians do, but he's done some good and the country is in a relatively good spot right now. There's more to do, but there's nothing wrong with acknowledging that fact. The Left has a huge problem. They read the OpEd pages of the NYT and WaPo as if it's news. They lap up the doom and gloom of Bernie and Hillary as if it's fact. The majority of the country disagrees with you.
When 110 prosecutors from across the political spectrum call for Barr's removal/resignation--that says something. Please those of you at the DOJ who are ethical and care about the rule of law--please keep doing the good work you do. Please report any behavior, memos etc from Barr or his political appointees that appear to be unethical. Report them loud and proud.
@stefanie Whoops left out a zero 1100 prosecutors says something.
A reality, not just a fear
1
"At Justice Dept., a Fear That Trump Is Undermining the Agency’s Reputation"
And in the rest of the USA, we, the people fear trump is undermining the rest of the USA for his own (and for his very-well connected friend's) Profiteering.
If he's gotta destroy US, to enrich himself -- and keep outta Jail -- well then, destroying the United States is just a 'small price' to pay for trump, and his crooked family, to live like the Royalty they've come to believe they are.
That's just Wrong, all the around.
1
Lawyers wondered whether Barr was willing or able to protect the Justice Dept? Huh? Bill Barr is part of the problem. How is that not clear? If it were clear, lawyers who should know better would not be wondering if the fox is willing or able to protect the henhouse. Dear god, what does it take? Do we have to utterly ruin our democracy before we wake up?
2
Barr said that he was giving up the pleasures of being with his grandchildren because of his sense 0f duty to the country. Their good fortune is our great misfortune.
5
Did anyone ever think that in hindsight Jeff Sessions would be considered an honorable public servant and Ag. trump didn’t want an AG that represented the citizens of the US, he wanted a toady, loyal to only himself.
He is worse than I ever would have imagined. So is the entire Republican Party.
1
No what is really going on is the career deep state /swamp bureaucrats are trying to undermine Trump.
Attorney General Barr is hollowing out the Justice Department while Mike Pomepo is destroying the State Department.
I wonder what is happening in other departments that we don't know about yet?
3
What I don’t understand, since the release of the Mueller report, is WHY Barr is acting this way. He seems to have had a successful and decent career in law enforcement. Why this 180 for Trump? Makes no sense to me, but here we are......
1
Federal attorneys are not special any more. They are now like attorneys who work for large corporations. They follow company policy but do not make it, and they do what they are told. If they are asked to do something they think is illegal, they do it anyway or they leave. If they blow a whistle, they risk being disbarred or at the very least destroying their most lucrative career paths.
The lawyer's job is to defend the client. The client is now Donald Trump and the Republican Party, the entities that control the federal government. Upholding the law without favor or political bias was always a myth; the powerful and the rich always have advantages, as is demonstrated by Jeffrey Epstein's slap on the wrist years ago and his recent death, before he could reveal what he knew. Trump never believed this myth, since his whole experience showed him it was just a myth. People who want to believe the myth will continue, like Susan Collins, to believe in spite of evidence to the contrary; their existence means that the myth is still useful and will not be abandoned . . . yet.
The rest of us know the real story, and Federal prosecutors will now have to live and operate in the real world like other lawyers. Their myth house is being demolished.
102
@sdavidc9 I think this is a cynical and or nihilistic opinion. The client is not the president. Have you not read the Constitution or the DOI. Are you not aware of over two hundred years of history.
What you call a myth is ideals. Ideals that make us a society. I am not sure if your goal is to return to a State of Nature or merely the Leviathan, but it is merely your opinion. And one that likely leads to the destruction of everything most people care about.
The client is not any one person. It is the society of this nation. And while it might seem a little abstract, the client is also the estate described by the constitution which was written over two hundred years ago
53
@sdavidc9
I understand your point of view, but it is wrong. That is not how our system works. Federal lawyers have one client: the law. That is all. When that becomes untrue, our nation is done.
41
@sdavidc9 Susan Collins does not believe the myth. It’s her ploy to get re-elected. She knew when she voted to acquit Trump exactly how he’d behave. She is duplicitous and needs to be voted out.
43
There’s a reason why in art Justice is depicted as blindfolded. Barr does not appear impartial and it’s hard to believe that, despite appearances, he is impartial. We cannot have confidence the Justice Department is working in the interest of all Americans. Barr needs to resign. At the same time, does anyone really believe Trump would choose an Attorney General who won’t politicize and corrupt the Justice Department?
304
@Galfrido Barr promised he would not be impartial when he auditioned for the job with a ltter that basically promised he would tip the scales of justice in favor of Trump.
21
@Galfrido
Why didn't Loretta Lynn decide to prosecute Hillary for her violations of the Espionage Act that left classified information in the hands of a convicted pedophile?
Does anyone believe that Holder or Lynch were anything other than political operatives.
2
I couldn't agree more with the concerns at the Justice Department. We need to continue our long-standing policy to prosecute the bad guys who violate the law (Roger Stone, Michael Flynn. Scooter Libby), but that it's also important NOT to prosecute the good guys who violate the law (Andrew McCabe, Hillary Clinton, James Comey). I think we can all agree that the lawyers at Justice must continue this disparate policy for the good of the country.
60
@DSheena And how, exactly did Hillary Clinton violate the law?
34
@DSheena You are aware, I assume, tha all of the criminals you mentioned are Republicans and all of the innocent people you mentioned are Democrats. Am I to understand that only Republicans break the law?
12
@DSheena Snarky - but inaccurate. After 2 years of investigation, the conclusion is that McCabe did not violate the law. There is no evidence that Comey violated the law. And what law did Clinton violate? It was *protocol* to use a government server, not law. (Remember that her predecessors had used private servers; it was not against the law for them to do so either.)
51
It is a perilous time in America when millions of people have lost trust in the president, who lies about 70 per cent of the time, Attorney General Barr, who is nothing more than a political tool for Trump and Republicans in the Senate who failed their oaths and obligations to hold an impartial impeachment trial. The duplicitous Barr claims to be objective while at the same time doing the president's dirty work. He should resign immediately or be impeached.
286
@Whole Grains Never again, I #Don'tTrustTheDoJ
3
@Whole Grains
Only 70%? That is a conservative estimate. Please VOTE everybody. Get this huckster out of there.
17
@Whole Grains
...the president, who lies about 70 per cent of the time...
It is more like 99.99% of the time when it matters.
13
I think the message is loud and clear: Bill Barr has no business heading the Justice Dept. He is as corrupt as his boss. Can you think of another instance, other than with this administration, where so many former prosecutors and former Justice Dept personnel have demanded Barr go? "Houston, we have a problem".
6
I love it all. Trump continues to get things right and stir up plenty of people in his wake.
3
There should be zero doubt that Barr's protestations of independence and the interference of Trump's tweets are but another scene in the theater that he has been playing in since his tap dancing audition for the job.
Barr is first and foremost aware of the vast statutorial wasteland that permits virtually unfettered mischief by the President. What had inhibited past presidents form running roughshod across the government was the norms that demanded the appearance of impartiality and probity. Trump has no use for such niceties and has showed us such from the outset with his blustering, profane swagger and his blatantly offensive and outrageous behavior in every aspect of his comportment.
The challenge for America is to come together to reclaim the mission of justice and equality for all and to statutorially enshrine those values to ensure that despots do not make a permanent nest in the WHite House.
3
In the “real world” when you disagree with corporate policy, you vote with your feet, and move on. The bureaucratic world however appears to take an entitled view by signing a petition to have Attorney General Barr “step down’ or resign. These complainants, who have no standing in the matter, should be dismissed, just as the citizens they ‘“lord over” would suffer had they engaged in such flagrant subordination.
4
Asking "How corrupt is William Barr?" is a rhetorical question. Mr. Barr auditioned for the job of AG by directly stating that his first duty was to protect the president & defend his criminality. Barr has lied multiple times under oath.
Barr's biggest lie to date was about the substance of the Mueller Report, where the attempted to obfuscate its merit. Barr is mentioned in the Whistleblower Complaint as a "Person of Interest".
AG John Mitchell got an 8 year sentence for his crimes working for Nixon. Hopefully, Barr will get far, far more prison years than Mitchell. Barr is far more evil.
4
“Undermining” (gerund) suggests he is in the process of... more accurately it should be stated in the past tense, he has already completed his evil deed.
1
This won't stop with the DOJ. Trump has already eroded much of the nation's confidence we had in the EPA, Department of State, Department of Education and he has his sights trained on HHS.Even the the military leadership is held in low esteem. We see him blasting critical components of the judicial branch (Crooked Prosecutors! Biased Jurors! Lousy Judges!). We've lost count of the number of times he has blasted Jerome Powell at the Federal Reserve.
He won't rest until he has undermined everything and it is under his control. And, even then, when things fail to deliver on his demands, he will find fault with those who executed his orders.
For me the title of this article says it all; Career professional are 'fearful' that trump will attack them for doing their jobs and AG Barr will not defend them.
Fear is what people have of bullies who throw their weight around and all of the 'bystanders' are thinking "better him/her than me".
This is the president of our country were talking about. An administration driven by fear, retribution, vindictiveness, lies, and cover ups. No matter who you are can we all please step away for a minute and think about that?
No City on a Hill, no "give me your poor huddled masses yearning to breath free", no Great Society, and no "Yes we can". Only fear, divisiveness, separation, and destruction of America's ideals.
Why would any mother or father encourage their children to follow this flawed and fake example? To me the solution is clear even though many republicans have turned their backs on justice.
This self serving administration is serving itself at the expense of the country...VOTE THEM OUT.
5
Donald wants to change 'Presidents Day' to 'Dictators Day.'
I am so sad and mad about the state of our declining country.
3
Fox News is a flamethrower for Trump. They build the narrative and spoon feed it to the sycophants. Barr used the media to gain cover for his ultimate goal - covering for the president.
Too many believe Trump is "The Second Coming" and for this reason our democracy is in danger. Republicans will do anything to remain in power.
1
It's not only Justice. It's State; it's the military; it's Education; it's Homeland Security; it's EPA; it's ICE; it's HHS; it's the NSA; it's Treasury; it's Commerce; it's the White House custodial staff, the kitchen crew, the gardeners and groundskeepers, the window washers, the snow shovelers.
If President Trump touches it in any way, whatever it is, it's corrupted.
5
I'm sorry but I don't get the reference to the DOJ's "reputation."
What is that?
1
Mr. Barr has proven that he is compromised by the president. Mr. Barr should resign.
3
The Washington Post gave voice to a conservative critic of Obama's, who criticized Obama in the same way Trump is criticized here:
1. Obama started two wars (Libya and ISIL) "without the constitutionally required congressional authorization".
2. The arguments Obama advanced in numerous property rights cases were so extreme and indefensible that they resulted in a series of lopsided 9-0 and 8-1 defeats in the Supreme Court.
3. Hosanna-Tabor v. EEOC is an important religious freedom case in which Obama adopted an extreme position against religious institutions that led to a unanimous Supreme Court ruling protecting the rights of those institutions' in the face of Obama's unconstitutional action.
The Republican law professor credited by the Post criticizes Obama for the same reason the Times criticizes Trump -- he acted unconstitutionally and in excess of rightful presidential authority. It's all partisan politics played by the Democrats and the Republicans. Obama and Trump have both violated the law and have both flaunted Constitutional principles. The Times expresses outrage at Trump but gives Obama a pass.
What we have here is a newspaper that has abandoned political objectivity and is a cheerleader for one side. Unethical and unconscionable. Better to read the Post.
2
1. Libya wasn’t a war, and would you have preferred that we left ISIL alone? But do feel free to remind me when we declared war on Iraq, won’t you?
2. Obama’s Solicitor General may have lost those cases—find out what a “dialectic,” is in a democracy, won’t you?—but he didn’t bloxk them from court, didn’t refuse to supply evidence, and didn’t claim that he had a right to do as he pleased.
3. That “religious freedom,” case had to do with a church’s claiming that they had a right to fire an employee for becoming disabled, and that clirts had no right to intervene. Way to treat the sick, Christians. Oh, and it was decided on technical, not moral or libertarian, grounds.
4. Might wanna go back amd see what the NYT had to say about all this. I pretty much assure you it was a lot more critical than, say, FOX has been regarding Lardlad.
You get that some of us know stuff and read books, yes? And that we’re pretty familiar with these amateur little moves by now?
2
Barr is not weak and compromised. He is a very willing co-conspirator with Trump. His "pushback" is nothing of the kind: it is theater. He is telling Trump that he does not need to be told what to do and that being told *in public* makes his life harder - and he is saying this *in public* so that the media will *think* he is pushing back. This is nonsense.
2
1100 former or present DOJ officials want Barr to resign. Susan Collins most likely feels Barr's humbled by the criticism and wants to forgive him. I bet she's making those famous Maine cookies, even though most people outside of people from Maine choke on them.
2
A fear that reputation is being harmed? LOL. Of course it is. The justice department( what an ironic name) is an organized crime satellite.
There is no justice.
1
So is this the new news for this week ? what happened to the media in this country.
.
Phony wars
Congress bought and sold to lobbyists
Corrupt and controlled media
Long before Trump came on the stage
2
Stone and a few others could sink chumps ship deep into the swamp if they cared to. Of course chump is worried. Any mob boss would be.
There is no difference,aside from this one having nuclear codes and appointing federal judges.
pure fake news from the great creator of fake news. Anything anti-Trump, all the time regardless of the facts. Just find a few anonymous sources and off you go.
1
Dealing in Corruption is nothing new to Barr;the news of 1992 shows Barr ADVISING Pres. George H.W. Bush to pardon six officials in the Iran/Contra Scandal;the House Banking Committee called for Barr's resignation same year for "clear, repeated failures to follow the Rule of Law, and obstruction of Justice" . These two events can be used to impeach the treasonous William Barr, who campaigned by memo to trump to be his AG;Barr is NO DEVOUT CATHOLIC,but a member of OPUS DEI,that has its roots in Spain's fascism;they practice what is called "Divine Deception" and believe their lies and deceptions justify their political means of fascism, just like the non-Christian Evangelical who do not follow the Bible,but follow novel, "Left Behind".
1
Everybody needs to focus on the real problem: the fish rots from the head.
1
Trump is no Einstein for sure and for certain; but he and Barr are probably getting along despite the NYTs insistence that they are not. Trump is one of the main reason's the NYTs circulation/read material -is what it is today. Were it not for obsession the NYTs has for Trump (really all leftist) displayed as judgement and hate- the volume of readers and comments would drop significantly lower. On the topic of the lawyers - they are fine- doing what lawyers do best - posturing.
2
"There is a fear the DOJ has been corrupted." Excuse me? A FEAR?! Of course the DOJ has been corrupted!!! Barr is nothing but a lap dog and hatchet man for Trump. The question isn't whether the DOJ is corrupt, the question is, is it beyond repair? My guess is yes. The GOP itself is utterly corrupt, remaining silent as Trump and Barr scorch the political landscape. Bill Barr believes in an imperial presidency, essentially a king, and has said so, and will do anything to give Trump the kind of limitless control Putin enjoys. Democracy? Not in America. Not for long.
2
We are witnessing the birth of an American dictatorship. Trump has studied his favorite corrupt strongmen for years now and is trying on his faux-medal bedecked uniform. What better symbols to wear while he's suppressing the media, obstructing justice, publicly threatening enemies, abusing power in and outside government, lying about everything? Oh yes, that uniform fits him like a glove.
1
Trump corrupts everything he can get his hands on, corrupts everyone he hires.
And Barr was ready and willing to carry on and implement Trump’s goal of tearing down the DOJ and weaponizing for political revenge.
None of what took place last week should be surprised.
The most corrupt President in U.S. history is unleashed, unhinged and free to do whatever he wants. The Republican Party has his back, no matter what.
2
“Undermining its reputation...”. What reputation? All of us out here are now convinced that the DOJ and the Supremes are thugs. We are not impressed.
This country is in a great deal of trouble and The Times has not been ahead of the curve.
Start to use the word, “fascism” please.
Explain to your readers what it means.
5
Is this a joke? The DOJ has never been known to be free of corruption. In fact, corruption is the very foundation that it was built upon. Trump's only faux-pax was his failure to follow the wink-and-a-nod rule. After all, appearance of impartiality is all that matters. Americans know the system is rigged, and they just keep their heads low and hope that they don't get accused of a wrongdoing.
Trump is naked!
"Undress yourselves!," yelled the naked Emperor Trump. "It is time to feel the truth and be truthful!"
Yes, we've been naked all along and the veil of propriety that we once abided by has been lifted by Emperor Trump.
Trump has completely shown Americans who they are. We are all looking into a mirror darkly and seeing a reflection of who we are. It's our history, and Trump should be thanked for finally showing us who we are. America, it's time to feel the truth of who we are.
Je suis Trump!
It's ugly, I know, but all too many of us have seen the naked America, but Trump is now rubbing your nose in it.
3
Let's be clear about this -- you can't have an an honest DOJ and get away with all the stuff Trump & friends are trying to do. So, subvert it as best you an (enter Barr) and whine to The Faithful about the Deep State. The Faithful doesn't want justice, anyhow! They want justification for their grievances.
2
Barr's protest was as "sincere" as a WWE Match! Staged from JUMP!
2
Doesn't the reputation of the Justice Dep't rest upon the vigorous way they assisted Moscow in destroying Hillary Clinton?
Uh, Barr has acted as Trump's personal fixer since day 1. There is no integrity at the Justice department or the State department. We see only loyalty to the dictator in both places. And that loyalty includes using both departments for criminal and treasonous actions for Trump and against our nation.
Everyone see this. That is, everyone see this if they have not been brainwashed into the cult of Trump. Those cultists are as far gone as the Germans in the 1930's or the Charles Manson family.
House and Senate Congress ignores what 45 is doing. Every last one of them have violated their oath to protect our constitution and should be voted out of all impeached and thrown right out of the U.S. with their citizenships revoked. Either that or We The People should take it in our hand to remove them by any and all means necessary to boot them across the Mexican border, then complete the wall.
IMPEACH: Attorney General Barr: and IMPEACH Trump again.
Both have obstructed justice : and perhaps there are more
in the Justice Dept. who need to be impeached as well.
No if...ands...or buts...JUST do this at the House of Representatives Legislative level; so once more Adam Schiff
and Nancy Pelosi..we need a very precise...CLEAN SWEEP...
and we all applaud you because...We The People have no say
any more and really depend on you to Impeach and make
it stain these compliant GOP cowards forever.
8
Every dynasty throughout history has fallen to every evil imaginable. It’s time for America to take their turn and wipe the smug smiles from our faces.
2
Wake up, folks.
Barr auditioned for this job with a memo positing Trump's "right" to obstruct justice. Why?
Barr has a net worth of $40 million (says Forbes). He'd already been AG under President George H.W. Bush. What prompted him to seek the job again in such a spectacularly dysfunctional White House?
Barr is an authoritarian. More specifically, he's a militant Christian authoritarian. Like White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, he's a former board member of a K Street lobby, The Catholic Information Center. Laura Ingraham emceed one of their awards dinners in 2013. Leonard Leo is a current board member. He gives Trump lists of judges to appoint. His choices included Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.
Barr and the others in this religious cabal are intent on eliminating the First Amendment separation of church and state. No doubt it's easy for them to rationalize all manner of treachery by telling themselves they're saving babies from abortion.
By protecting Trump so he can keep stacking the courts with right-wing judges, they're prosecuting an agenda dear to their authoritarian hearts.
Barr has lately given speeches where he speaks contemptuously of "humanists" (so has Pompeo). He fulminates about a leftist attack on religion (never mind that AOC and Rep. Pelosi are Catholics). Barr's views of government reflect his authoritarian brand of Christianity.
He wants taxes diverted to fund religious schools, not "evil" humanist public education.
Wake up, folks. He's the Taliban AG.
12
If you really want to worry, ask yourself this: exactly what sort of person is going to be stupid enough, or greedy enough, or ambitious enough, or politically-crazy enough, to want to take a job at DOJ or State after this?
4
Trump's life history shows that he is a grifter and scofflaw, and will do anything, legal or illegal, to achieve praise and obeisance. Trump is unencumbered by morality, ethics or decency. He is profoundly ignorant and can barely read. As a con man and pathological liar, Trump is incapable of empathy, shame, or remorse. This insubstantial little man is President of the USA.
Trump's Attorney General, William Barr, is at best a political hack. Read his career history. He is Trump's AG because he believes in the unitary executive theory of nearly unfettered presidential authority. One also finds that he holds extremely racist biases involving incarceration . Barr's biggest win, prior to being Trump's AG, was in getting G.H.W. Bush to pardon for 6 guilty felons involved in the "Iran Contra Affair". Barr is totally corrupt, Trump got a real sycophantic goombah when he picked Billy Barr as his consigliere.
6
"Everything Trump Touches Dies". Rick WIlson was right. Barr's legacy is in the toilet. He will be remembered as being a big toady for trump. There is no Justice Department anymore - just an Injustice division of trump Inc.
6
Heroes are not all found on the violent battlefields of war………..
America has just discovered many fighting for our country's freedom from tyranny within the national political arena……….
We soon may see another "wall" placed on the Washington Mall dedicated to those casualties who suffered fighting the tyranny of Donald Trump……..
May God and a thankful America bless them one and all……..
3
Not any doubt America. AG Bill Barr is another most loyal foot soldier and lapdog within the Trump portfolio of individuals with NO sense of ethics, accountability, and courage to do the right thing. Barr is not an exception. He is the rule.
What drives people to abandon the principles they swore an oath to uphold and defend? Money? Power to generate more ill-derived gains? A need to be a part of something blatantly criminal and sinister in all aspects? No moral compass?
This cancerous malaise sweeps our nation is widespread.
Trump's toadies, sycophants, and media mavens made a choice to align with a CORRUPT, EVIL, and CRIMINAL person. Do they believe their future place in history will be absolved of bad decision making and poor choices? Look at the minions of Hitler's Nazi regime and Mussolini's fascist state faired. Collaborators in Vichy France and other nations had their heads shaved, were beaten, tarred, or worse. Same is true for the social revolutions in France, Russia, and China. When this Trump cult extremism passes (hopefully our nation remains somewhat in tact) what might happen next?
NO EXCUSE for the conduct of Barr and Company, including attorneys who defied the laws they were taught to uphold in Law School in order to protect Trump. None deserve any respect whatsoever.
This conduct is the way things are done in Putin's Russia. It's worth fighting for, America. Resist. What happens when we all stop paying taxes, for example, as a nation unifying challenge?
4
The DOJ lawyers should be concerned. Barr's statement of making "his" job difficult, is hollow.
The goal of the DOJ, Republican Senate and their anointed leader, Trump, is nothing short of taking back this country - to the confederate days. Separation of powers, be damned.
Truth is, they've won - the separation of powers is for all intent and purposes, non-existent anymore.
I fear the message average American receive from all this, is, anything goes. Why do the right thing? After all, corruption reigns and the bad guys win.
2
It would be nice if the spineless silly sycophants would begin to understand that one solution would be to stop doing the crimes in the first place.
21
Some of the Trump-defending people writing comments here seem so blind. Do these people think that Hitler wasn't all bad?
How can there be such rebellion from modernity with its basis in science and logic? Do you guys think the Constitution was wrong? If so, how? Do you know logic from pseudo-logic? Look up "logical fallacies."
The single difference between Trumpers and the rest of us is that you guys do not self-inspect and we do. You cannot admit any logical flaw but make excuses ("rationalizations") and we'll question our assumptions on logical grounds. You are absolutistic and only see in black and white. We can see shades of gray as well as the extremes. After considering both sides, we make the best possible (logical and moral) choice at the time, and be willing to change if more information comes in. You don't do that; this is why you seem unintelligent to us. To compensate, you become brutish. You somehow forgot about the Golden Rule.
It is a lie that Democrats haven't liked Trump just because he's not our guy. You would do that, so you think we're doing it. You can't imagine otherwise. In psychology, that's called projection.
You have probably felt powerless for years, and you identify with an aggressive TV personality who rules not with logic and humanity, but with hatred of what he fears, namely, anyone who disagrees with him. He is out for himself, and you like that.
I'm sorry for you. You can't think for yourself.
102
Amen.
4
@Joanne: I think the US Constitution was warped to accommodate slavery in ways that have become destructive today.
4
@Joanne It’s mass psychosis/hysteria. We’ve seen it before.
3
Weird. None of the outrage when Holder called himself Obama's wingman and got himself cited for contempt of Congress with his Fast and Furious scheme. Or when Loretta Lynch ran into Bill Clinton on her jet while Hillary was under investigation. Maybe MSDNC or CNN were busy with something else at the time.
8
Whatabout!? Whatabout!? Whatabout!?
Whatabout opening your eyes to the appalling corruption of Donald Trump, and not making a fool of yourself by tabling trivialities.
8
2 wrongs or 3 make it right? Justifying evil with evil is done by no other mammal. Pathetic really.
3
@TL: And what have you done to curb gun violence?
Trump vs Barr ? How droll...
Reminiscent of Spy vs Spy from Mad Magazine.
15
Professional wrestlers. It’s fake. It’s for show.
This, and all the other maneuvers, are from every dictator's playbook.
Are we going to wake up soon?
43
Or is Trump exposing the bias which has allowed the perjury, to congress, undisputed, video available to all, of Clapper, Brennan, et al to go unpunished?
Americans know the answer. Do you dear NY "Trump has a 9% chance" Times readers?
5
Trump is a liar, crook, and con man who has committed crimes against our constitution and democracy.
4
@J. Classified matters are normally disclosed to Congress in camera. Sometimes spies publicly lie to protect sources and methods.
And a Trump supporter here writes, “Look more deeply into those letter writers.”
8
Are we experiencing mass hypnosis and delusion here? Isn't this the same Billy Barr that held on to the Mueller Report for weeks after issuing a totally misleading "summary", then when Mueller called him out he thought his "letter was snitty and maybe not even written by him". The same Low Barr that's created a warped rationale for defining Presidential Power as virtually unlimited. The same DisBarr that has proved himself a willing agent to chase down every conspiracy theory his Patron has spun out to protect, cover up and "rewrite" all that he and his henchmen have been investigated and often indicted for?
Anyone thinking that the AG is acting out of some concern for the "independence" of the DOJ is buying their continuous disinformation program. Barr is just throwing out chaff in front of the Presidential revenge-seeking missile.
In short, Trump has definitely found his long sought after "Roy Cohn"
If you have any doubt where this guy is coming from this article is a must read:
https://theweek.com/articles/879112/william-barrs-chilling-vision-unchecked-presidential-power
37
Barr is doing for DOJ exactly what Pompeo has been doing to the State Department... hollowing it out to leave career people no other choice but to leave.... putting loyal zealots in place... The damage will take decades...
45
We recall the notorious “Saturday Night Massacre” of the Watergate era, but what is happening, now, among the dedicated staff of the DOJ under the current leadership makes the previous experience look like child’s play.
20
DOJ fears Trump is undermining the DOJ
The Pentagon is being fleeced to build the Wall
Corrupting everything he touches.
Vindictive actions against the honorable.
An enemy of the Constitution
Disloyal to fellow Republicans who disagree with him.
Disloyal to democracy
Treating law enforcement like criminals and criminals like law enforcement
Loyal only to Vladimir Putin
What is the penalty for all of these treacheries and treasons?
One would think death ten times over.
26
Trump is undermining your country.
42
He's destroying it!
3
It's not a fear it's fact. The Justice Department will need a new name if Barr is left there doing Trumps dirty work.
25
Oh, my. Mr. Barr is trying to get a message across to the president, you say? That is so cute!
16
Trump and his "Roy Cohn" are on a rampage to destroy all Democrats and all decency. How could there be any confidence in the top legal official who doesn't see that Trump is the very opposite an ethical, moral and corrupt leader? How can Barr claim to be in charge of those who are dedicated to rooting out the unethical, the immoral and the corrupt in our government?
He cannot. Barr must be impeached and removed from office, or he must resign.
Trump is on a tear to pretend that the Russia investigation into his campaign's 137 contacts with Russian officials and intelligent officers was so totally innocent that the people who investigated it were the real criminals! Enough!
18
Yet just about everyone here thought it was pretty cool that Eric Holder considered himself Obama's "wingman". Stop pretending that the Justice Department was apolitical before this. It surely wasn't during the last administration. You all just seem upset that the politics are no longer in your direction.
3
@Somebody I agree it hasn't been apolitical but it is a much different thing to cover up a bad idea and failed undertaking by the department of justice versus utilizing the DOJ to suit your own political ambitions. Both of the instances are bad and obviously the public has the right to now, but I consider that intentions actually matter as well. The reality is our society is very political and has double standards. The hope is that when all of this is over there will be significantly more transparency in government regardless of who controls Congress. the White House and SCOTUS. I am not optimistic however. I do think there are a significant number of Americans (albeit likely a minority) who would like a lot more transparency and would be able to view the information objectively. That might not change who they vote for but at least would demonstrate some level of free thinking.
3
Yes. I’m upset that the politics is now flowing in an authoritarian, abusive, corrupt direction.
@Glen What I wish for is complete accountability from any and all elected officials, where both Republicans and Democrats speak out harshly to demand that their chosen official be true to the law. If their choice politician is caught lying or breaking the law, demand accountability and if necessary removal.
If we want honest politicians, we must demand it from our own side as well as from the other side of the aisle.
Trump and his strange clique of enablers are definitely undermining Justice, as well as justice in general. Even worse, if that is possible, is the undermining of the foundations of the US itself.
Selecting one of our most bizarre citizens to run the nation, and promoting him to some status above the law which he is under oath to uphold has to be one of the oddest, craziest, most ridiculous maneuvers any nation has ever attempted.
The US will never outlive this self-imposed stain.
23
It's called a Kakistocracy.
1
@Bonnie Huggins Migod, there's a word for this buffoonery!
1
He's undermined everything else, why not this, too??
9
Too late now, it’s already a done deal
6
trump, Barr and senate republicans are damaging the reputation of America as well as its institutions. Remove these useless people and watch our country be restored to good health. Barr is a disgrace to the legal profession. Listen to his speech at Notre Dame Law School, he clearly does not have views that I want in the DOJ. We need to support the brave souls in the Justice Department and the State Department working under very difficult circumstances.
18
"Some....have concerns..." Did you grab that by line from senator (he will learn from his mistakes) collins? Some say that trump is a great, benevolent leader with only the best interests of the country in his heart. I don't believe a word of what "some say".
13
The way it goes now if you’re not a Democrat you don’t stand a chance of being hired for an entry-level position in the DOJ and every other department of the deep state bureaucracy. All of this flak being raised is just the last gasp of the dragon.
4
"A fear?" HAH! That's an understatement
Like the Senate, the Justice Department is now just another department of Trump Inc.
6
Since he didn't have much luck with the Ukrainians, maybe now Trump can bring in Saudi prosecutors to investigate, while, of course, working closely with Attorney General Barr to ensure the administration's new traditions of justice are followed.
Also, Saudi punishment offers a final solution. Beheadings and dismemberment come to mind. Trump regularly calls people who challenge him "traitors" and the traditional punishment of traitors is death, so I imagine our president would welcome this. The Saudis know how to execute with such flare.
7
William Barr is the antithesis of "just". He a long term political hack of the far right fringe, elevated to his current position as Attorney General, by having sworn an oath to defend Donald Trump first and foremost, no matter what crimes Trump might commit.
Every day that this cretin holds sway in the Department of Justice is a day of shame and despair for the 113,000 ethical, patriotic men and women of the legal professions, that have made their careers in that body.
William Barr needs to be held accountable for his misdeeds, by the American Bar Association and other leaders of the legal profession. History books will write, at length, about all the evil this Trump toady did, to undermine the Department of Justice, while serving his White House master and ignoring the US Constitution.
15
There have been many articles and comments about Trump's revenge, sense of aggrievement about his impeachment and about his 'lashing out'. That is Trump's shtick. It has nothing to do with anything other than that. Does he look aggrieved? Has he ever? He plays the victim game to appeal to his followers. Everything he does and says is a ploy. He wields words like a whip like a cruel despot. Don't be fooled.
5
Decades ago, when I was a “baby lawyer,” I had the honor to serve as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. And I have often told the story of my first appearance in the Circuit Court of Appeals in that role. As we waited for the calendar call, my superior thumped on the name on our brief, reminding me, “Never, ever forget who we represent.” And I have never forgotten: when our case was called, I announced, “Ready. For the United States of America.”
The thousands of federal prosecutors across the country now report to an Attorney General who has not only asserted the president as their ultimate director but who has gone to great lengths to protect this president from laws they were charged to enforce. We should never forget that Barr auditioned for his job with a memo touting the “unitary executive” theory of presidential power, one that posits the president has the absolute power to direct every move of the executive branch, even those of the Justice Department, even those in which the president himself has an interest. Nor should we ever forget how Barr misrepresented the findings of the Mueller report, essentially claiming Trump’s exoneration and delaying release of the report itself white his story took root.
Given the AG’s words and actions, the question for federal prosecutors today is just who they are now called to represent. Is it, as I was reminded years ago, the United States of America? Or is it the man who now sits in the Oval Office?
22
@Steel Magnolia Wonderful comment....thank you! I hope more people read it.
1
The headline is not a fear, it's a fact: Trump IS undermining the reputation of the Justice Department. Also ...
Trump is corroding the dignity of the office of the presidency.
Trump is undermining the seriousness of working for a presidential administration.
Trump shreds what is left after decades of rot in the Republican Party.
Trump is wrecking the very idea of America.
Trump is undermining parents when they tell their children: Use your words, play fair, tell the truth, don't be a bully.
Trump belies the validity of marriage vows and the lip service our society pays to fidelity, commitment, respect, equality between partners.
Trump disdains the agency and autonomy of the other.
Trump reverses every small progress made against in our country's deep racism and misogyny.
Trump is undermining the already tenuous sincerity of American religion when Evangelical leaders prostrate themselves before him, when he proclaims himself "the chosen one" and seems not only to believe himself to be a king, but a god.
Trump is bad news for the weak, for the sick, for the different, for the original, for the hopeful, for the cheery, for the open, for the vulnerable, for the stranger, for your neighbor, for your kids, for the person you might get to know, for me, for you, for who you might become if you weren't thinking about the decline of democracy and the rise of autocrats & hatred & liars all the time.
Yes:Trump is undermining the reputation of the Justice Department.
26
Is there a special pipeline to the DOJ to investigate when the Trump Organization or the adult children of our President received special treatment?
12
It's obvious by now that neither Trump nor Barr respect or honor the idea of a constitutional republic. No sooner does Trump get a thoroughly corrupt lawyer like Dershowitz to argue his flimsy case and help him get "acquitted" in a sham trial than he and Barr go and beg for their own impeachment all over again. I'll say this about Trump. He is so ignorant and arrogant that he does his unconstitutional behavior in plain view. You don't need any painstaking detective work to see that he should be impeached all over again and that the Republican Senators should then convict him immediately, at the same time that Barr should be stripped of his right to practice law. Of course, the depressing fact is that the Republican Senators are so supine and corrupt that they will continue to accept Trump's conduct.
11
If, as reported, he has told the president "he will not open politically inspired inquiries on Mr. Trump’s behalf," then he has a lot explaining to do. Americans have a right to understand where the bright lines of justice are. If his refusal to submit the whistleblower report to Congress, his steps to discredit the Mueller Report, his opening a back channel for Giuliani, his intervention in the Stone and Flynn cases are NOT politically motivated, then give us the actual reasons. It is clear that the DOJ universe is increasingly unable to perceive a non-political reason, either. We need a comprehensive, persuasive, rational, clear explanation of the Barr Doctrine. Something that actually makes sense and can give us confidence in this DOJ to represent the people. Until that is presented, I'm sticking with this: CORRUPTION.
11
Some clarity might be helpful. A plurality of the Nation's populace, mainly those identifying as Republicans, would be quite willing to replace the U.S. Constitution will a simple social contract that in essence articulates Second Amendment rights, and otherwise leaves open the nature of the social and ruling order.
5
Democracy dies a slow death and we are witnessing that death right now. Be afraid. Very afraid. Vote.
11
Wasn't that obvious from day one? I guess the argument to give him time and maybe he'd become 'presidential' is now mute
11
"Mr. Barr has devoted much of his authority and stature to bolster the president since he took office a year ago."
And to think not one Republican will stand up and do the right thing to save the rule of law in America is so disgusting it's beyond words.
17
A fear?? That horse has left the barn.
5
The recent actions of barr is one single step from using the justice system to help political alies and people who can bring to light damaging information about the potus to persecute political rivals.
1
Everything Trump touches dies. Even his favorite bank is having a tough time of it. I heard Putin is very nervous.
5
Ooh, wow, fear in the Justice Department and 1,100 prosecutors writing for Barr's resignation. Sounds exactly like what Trump wants to happen.
1
Are they kidding? How/why are the Justice Dept. lawyers/officials so unaware that the behavior of the president is --undermining/damaging--the integrity of most/all of the agencies/policies of the US government? One would think that Barr's 'admiration/support' for an 'imperial' presidency' would be somewhat shaken by his relationship with this incompetent
person.
2
What is the Bar Association FOR if not situations like this? This AG has singlehandedly done more damage to the concept of fairness and the rule of law than any American in US history.
He should be disbarred from the practice of law - otherwise, this is proof that American justice is just a sham.
10
It’s a purge. We should get ready for an every 4 year purge. So much for non-partisan career professionals. It’s a horrible way to run a government. I’m disgusted by Republicans.
9
@dln Why are you disgusted by the Republicans? They are following their regular path. Since Reagan first articulated it in his soothingly folksy way, their objective has been the castration of government, reducing it to no more than a channel through which an oligarchy can govern in its own best interest. Trump has effectively destroyed the State Department, the Department of Education, the EPA, Homeland Security and so much more. So why not the Department of Justice? Here Trump's personal agenda coincides with theirs.
too late....firings of the 1100 will commence immediately
2
Any president has ability to comment on any case especially the one which so corrupt. We have murderers being handed lighter sentences. It is insane the degree to such corrupt politicians will go to to silence this fair and brave president
Really? They just figured this out?
1
This is the problem with saying yes, yes, yes, all the time to someone like trump. You then have the conceit of thinking you can say no when you want to. No, no, Nanette, it doesn't work that way with the devil. You sell your soul to him and he owns it forever.
9
If Barr wanted to reach Trump he would not have gone on ABC, he would have gone on Fox & Friends. But of course it would have been a tough interview because over on Fox they’ve been demonizing Mueller, the Mueller report, and all the criminal investigations flowing from it from the beginning. When the FBI decided that Hillary Clinton was not guilty of a crime in using a personal server, Fox News spent the rest of the story in the “news” division speculating the the FBI was corrupt. It’s Fox News that Trump watches and which tells him what to tweet about. The trouble for the US Justice Department is not Trump; it’s Fox.
6
When Democrat Congressman launched a putative Impeachment effort with a known outcome did they really expect the President would subsequently become a “Mary Poppins” ? And not flex the powers of the Oval Office ? Democrats are engaged in “open warfare” with the President who carries a bulletproof majority in the Senate shielding him from further attacks. So why be surprised if the Justice Dept becomes further politicized ? Just imagine where we’ll be in 5 more years of open warfare between the President and Democrat Congressmen determined to remove him from office ! The sheer damage done to our nation from the ill fated and poorly conceived Impeachment Campaign will haunt us for decades. What have the Democrats achieved ? Only to further embolden a President who shows no need for restraint. Maybe time for Democrats to end their putative attacks and hope the President will follow his “better angels”. Lest our nation be torn asunder for decades to come.
1
Mafia rule of law. And the corruption runs downstream. Casting a shadow on local police and courts.
2
Nobody recalls that Bush II did this, tasking AG Alberto Gonzalez with firing federal prosecutors who refused to do bogus "voter fraud" prosecutions, and replacing them with googly-eyed Liberty U. law graduates who intervewed their prospective underlings by asking Liberty U. questions like " have you ever been unfaithful to your wife?" Summoned by Congress on the matter (this was in the days when a government official actually thought such a summons meant anything) Gonzalez proved a pathetically incompetent perjurer and eventually said that he now somehow dimly recalled he must have met with the president about it. He lost his job. But if house, well, that was then.
5
I take Barr at his word when he said during Heraldo interview: “I’ve not discussed the Roger Stone case at the White House.”
But betcha he has discussed the Roger Stone case with the White House.
7
Roger Stone deserves to have the book thrown at him.
During his trial, Stone threatened both one of the witnesses against him and also the judge.
There needs to be enough pressure on Barr that he resigns.
Remembering that Barr delayed the release of the Mueller Report while he concocted and released a false summary clearing Trump of wrongdoing still rankles.
William Barr is not fit to be Attorney General. He proves it every day.
That leaves Trump as the problem and we are probably stuck waiting for the election to get rid of him.
That doesn't excuse Barr's assault on the rule of law every day he remains in office.
Barr is a disgrace.
7
I read this piece in the middle of the night, and it almost prevented me from going back to sleep.
Today, there is the news of the 1100 former federal prosecutors urging AG Barr to resign. In addition to that they are essentially urging currently serving prosecutors to not hold back in reporting what they see, reporting things to the IG of the DOJ, and pretty much resigning if they have to, and can.
They of all people know how skewed this DOJ has become under a venal and cynical operative who sold himself to Donald Trump as the perfect version of Roy Cohn he needs now.
When the rule of law breaks down to the level of a banana republic--different rules for the president's pals and another for his enemies--we no longer have a republic based on equal justice for all, with no fear or favor.
9
@ChristineMcM This piece was the first thing I read when I awoke at 6 AM. What a discouraging way to begin the day. But that open-letter was a bit of a silver-lining. The question is will it help. It depends on Mitch's Senate which is ominous and inauspicious in and of itself in challenging Barr for the unethical guy he is. What a rotten group....the whole lot.
The DOJ has already been taken over by this corrupt Trump administration. And that includes the Attorney-General William Barr. He has enabled this President in all his dirty machinations. But now he is caught between a rock and a hard place. He is caught between his upright prosecutors with integrity exodus or support this corrupt President and his own personal agenda. The choice for William Barr is his own integrity or being fired or forced to resign. Hoping Barr will put his actions where his mouth is. But he is Trump's nominee. And so, I don't hold much hope. After all he declared complete exoneration of this President after evident Mueller's report to the contrary.
4
I wonder if any Republican senators are having second thoughts about rendering impeachment an impotent tool to curtail presidential abuse of power, choosing instead to pry open Pandora's box for self-serving and immediate gratification.
Whether presidential interference in the justice department is legal or not is surely beside the point (there are many things that are legal that integrity, responsibility, wisdom, would stop a person from availing themselves of as cover). The inappropriateness of the president using the power of the presidential office for personal benefit (which he has extended to include a six degrees of separation benefit), is surely an abuse of power—correction: it was an abuse of power before December 17th, 2019. It's been barely a month, how time flies, how quickly "Things fall apart... And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?" W. B. Yeats
2
@angel98 “I wonder if any Republican senators are having second thoughts...”
Simply answer, NO!
1
No, Republicans have no second thoughts. They have no original (first thoughts.) They are lock step with him all the way. Only exception is Romney who apparently puts god before country.
The repubs in the Senate can't see how their continued immobility is destroying the government. History will not be kind to them.
5
@Norma Actually, I think they can see it perfectly well. For some of them at least, destruction is the objective.
I've written this before, but once again I recommend: If you are a citizen of the U.S. only but you are eligible to become the citizen of a second country, go ahead and get that second passport. It could come in very handy in the 2020s.
William Barr has demonstrated in so many ways that he is simply a Trump sycophant. He cannot be trusted to be impartial and to uphold the rule of law. His meddling in cases that are dear to the heart of Trump is simply shameful.
He should be censured by the Bar Association and continually called out by members of Congress. He can also be impeached.
All Americans need to be fearful of the undermining of the rule of law under Trump and Barr. Together, they represent a clear and present danger to our Republic and must be replaced as soon as possible.
5
It’s not a fear it’s a fact.
Trump, MoscowMitch and gop leadership and voters have killed if not hurt our credibility and values in the world.
1
anything trump touches, he has effectively undermined!
1
I fear he is undermining the justice department? Of course he’s undermining from day one. He had Barr open another investigation of Hillary Clinton his opponent wasting taxpayers money again. The results only hit the back pages of newspapers finding Hillary no criminal wrongdoing and no criminal activities with the foundation. Why isn’t Trump or Barr announcing that investigation?
4
How did juror 1261 come to be on the Stone jury? And the foreman, no less?
How is it possible to face 9 years in prison for lying to the liars?
How is it that the Judge was able to take Stone's 1st Amendment rights away from him?
Why does the NYTimes and it's followers advocate for what is essentially political crime and political imprisonment?
Barr is right to ask Trump to stop tweeting about this - but Trump is right to ask; how is such a recommendation possible?
This entire episode of setting aside an election victory and engineering a bureaucratic coup - all while turning a blind eye to the injustice it has wrought - is wrecking our nation. The assault on democracy has far more to do with the likes of The Times than it does with Trump.
6
I expect Amy Berman Jackson will take the comments of Mr. Barr and the original sentencing guidelines into consideration when she sentences Roger Stone. I recognize that Donald Trump will inevitably pardon Roger Stone regardless of the sentence handed down. It nonetheless will be another stain on this despicable President's record and his criminal cronies.
Trump will claim that the trial was unfair when he pardons him. Roger Stone offered no defense during the trial because he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and he knew his buddy Trump would pardon him before he serves a day in jail. Trumps' gotta go!!
3
I'll give Barr one thing - even if he seemingly caved to pressure from the White House, he did go on record to defend his people.
Compare this to Mike Pompeo, who claimed to "have defended every State Department official" but couldn't point to a single instance where he said anything in support of Marie Yovanovitch.
You know, I hadn't really heard the term "gaslighting" until this Administration..
1
"A fear"?
Honest federal attorneys conducting America's justice under a corruptible A.G., as Bill Barr has proven himself to be, should be more than fearful. Their reputations and that of the DOJ are being ruined.
Roger Stone was convicted on all 7 felonies. His lack of remorse and refusal to cooperate should have resulted in a maximum sentence (50 years) as an example. A lesser sentence is considered if felons admit their error. A 7-9 year sentence was too fair. Regardless, Trump demanded it be reduced and his lap dog Bill Barr is doing Dear Leader's wishes. A.G. Barr going on TV to say he didn't like being pressured by Trump but didn't threaten to resign to preserve the sanctity of the DOJ. Barr's live TV interview was a stunt which a majority of Americans knew was a staged performance.
Donald Trump corrupts all he touches. He's bankrupted businesses by the hundreds and is bankrupting American government of ethics and morality. Senate Republicans are complicit. Collins (ME), Ernst (IA), McSally (AZ), Gardner (CO) and Tillis (NC) will not be re-elected for failing to condemn Trump's impeachable behavior. The GOP has lashed itself to the Trump-tanic while it sinks andthe band plays. Mitt Romney took the last lifeboat so the rest of the unpatriotic Senators are stuck on board.
We The People will take back the Senate and White House in November in a Blue Tsunami. Demonstrate. Donate. Volunteer. Vote.
VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO.
Don't agonize. Organize.
7
There’s a lot of wishful thinking in those words. I hope they are true but I guess I am not as optimistic as you.
@Dog girl
I've been working for BLUE elections since canvassing for Lamb in Pittsburgh. Of course winning elections is possible. The Blue Wave took the House in 2018.
As for "hope", Jyn Erso said it best ...
"We have hope. Rebellions are built on hope."
Resist. Persist. We The People can and will take the Senate and White House back from corrupt Republicans in November.
Barr would swear under oath in court that the earth is flat if it would help trump.
Barr's supposedly intellectual theory that president is king does not work so well in practice.
1
William Barr is already guilty of politicizing the DOJ. There is no reputation to save. Is he really that incompetent when it comes to ethics, or is he amoral and filled with hubris?
Barr should be removed and investigated for obstruction and other possible crimes.
2
it's a well known and mostly undisputed fact that trump eventually corrupts and destroys everything he touches, that this is happening should not be a surprise to anyone.
3
Sorry. All I see is Barr (I’m excluding a few expletives) of playacting. “Gee, Mr. President Trump of whom I know so little outside of your many public tweets except inasomuch I’ve done everything else to protect you from legal destruction” playacting because this excuse for Stone has perhaps pushed “things” a little too far for at least some upstanding attorneys. I can’t believe it’s taken this long. I want to throw away the key on Stone. I liked Michael Cohen. Better than my biased opinions, I’m hoping the appropriate judges and vin officials see to justice and fairness, as I’d hope I would receive in Mr Stone’s case. I don’t believe I would receive any preferential treatment, nor should Stone.
2
I know no more than I read in the papers. But I doubt that Barr's "Knock it off!" statement to ABC can be taken at face value. Did he say that directly to Trump? If yes, did he wait to see results? (My guess is no; or he would not have repeated it.) If not, why not? To call someone out in public without doing it in person is the act of a coward. (Yes, yes, I know.)
To me it is more likely that Barr felt that, in order to take the heat off himself, he needed some public distancing from Trump. He cleared it with the boss who gave him an OK, and we are where we are.
I don't know if that's the truth but the fact that it seems reasonable, and I have no doubt that some here BTL will agree with me, is the real shocker.
2
Kidding right? The worst crime committed since Trump took office was the lies told to the FISA Court. And you cannot read the texts by Page and Stroek without reasonably concluding that they and others may have committed other despicable acts. Justice employees should root out those employees who are engaged in—yes, deep state activities. Then Justice will have its now fairly tarnished reputation restored.
3
As historian Rick Wilson once said, “everything Trump touches dies.” Like a particularly malignant form of cancer, his extreme corruption has seeped into every level of our government, slowly killing it. That damage done the Department of Justice, with the eager help of Trump’s pet toad Barr, is done. Once trust is lost, it is almost impossible to regain it and provided the nation survives this scourge of an administration — and at this point it’s questionable — the DOJ will have to be reorganized and redesigned for the public to have any trust in it.
At this point, the United States is little more than a banana republic, and even if Trump is voted out, his cult will remain. Perhaps it’s time to consider whether we need to remain “united” anymore.
3
Bananacrats are in charge of the DOJ now. When the Big Plantain steals or loses the next election and refuses to cede power legally, the military will need to prop him or stop him and his junta. Justice is failing and criminality has become so normal in our government that the Democrats don't know what to do, legally or politically. The media are in shock, unable to sound the alarm, while most Americans stare into their cell phones, hypnotized by the mini images. I can't believe what I'm seeing and hearing.
3
You mean more than lying to FISA court repeated? More than unjustly targetting an American citizen because of a political agenda? More than falsifying documents to get warrants?
3
No worries--he should be out next year--Michael or Bernie will beat him by 2-3%.
I had breakfast today with a former state representative. She just changed her party affiliation from Republican to Democrat. “Enough,” she said. The names she underscored: Bill Barr and Mitch McConnell. Not Trump, but his frightening soulless enablers who “have placed party over country.”
Her heroes? Her fellow life-long Republican Christians who have had enough too and changed party affiliation. Ones with heart and history and “skin in the political game willing to stand up.”? B
I asked if she would go so far as to vote for Bernie if need be. Her answer: “yes, with a heavy heart but also confidence that he would be more respectful of our constitutional norms.”
25
I guess most people thought the justice department was for justice. I don't agree. The justice department looked the other way as a hugely disproportionate number of blacks were imprisoned for Marijuana possession. The justice department continues to ignore the fact that many police departments see poor neighborhoods as sources of funding. They know they can charge a poor person with anything and because they are poor they can do nothing else but plead guilty because to fight cost lots of money and would lose them their jobs. This is not justice, this is predatory.
The reason no one stands up to Trump is because most people in the justice department are republicans and so the only thing they really want to stop is Bernie Sanders.
Certainly Barr is a criminal, but he is white and connected and so we don't go after those people. This is nothing new, it has always been this way, at least if you look at from the view point of the poor.
We are the nation that preys on poor people. It's always been that way.
11
@Chris
This is why I do not understand the so-called Christians' support of Trump and the Republican Party.
Per the Bible:
"There need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today." Deuteronomy 15:4-5
"Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other." Zechariah 7:8-10
“'I have the right to do anything,' you say, but not everything is beneficial. 'I have the right to do anything,' but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10: 23-24
The Bible is an ancient collection of writings translated from now-dead languages and filled with with strange things. It can be cherry picked to support a bad idea: true. We do have free will. The Bible also is supprisingly fresh and relevant to our modern problems, and a fascinating part of our human story.
Prolific fourth century Bible critic St Augustine provided a useful guideline on interpreting the Bible (On Christian Teaching 1.36.41):
"Anyone who thinks that he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them, but cannot by his understanding build up this double love of God and neighbor, has not yet succeeded in understanding them."
1
@lisa delille bolton
Christian support for Trump is probably directly proportional to the number of ‘progressives’ who advocate for partial-birth abortion.
The historic independence of the Justice Department was breached when Donald Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions and finally got the the jailhouse Roy Cohn protector in Bill Barr. Now that the Republican Senate has acquitted Trump of "obstruction of justice," he's proving just how wrong they were. With Trump not completely "above the law," he is brazenly interfering and obstructing justice by putting his cronies above it as well. We are now witnessing the breach of the Constitution's "rule of law" with a tyrannical Trump and his "willing accomplice" in Barr enacting the lawless "rule of Trump" totally unconstrained by Congress. It is now up to the Judicial branch to defend the Constitution that Supreme Court Chief Justice allowed the Senate to cast aside by being a passive accomplice to their malfeasance.
8
I think the ship has sailed on the DOJ reputation. Should be easy enough to repair if Trump is out of office but doesn't matter who Barr is replaced with (if he is) as no objective person would believe a replacement would just be a Trump marionette.
5
Barr's rebuke of trump was well orchestrated and staged. His attacks on the FBI reprehensible. He should be removed from office.
The actions of trump and his enablers have jeopardized the democratic freedoms that we once enjoyed and celebrated in America. They seem to think that America is all about them and not the rest of us as they seek to punish all but their most loyal subjects. I use to tolerate the MGA crowd now I despise them with a passion. As much as I hate to admit it Hillary Clinton was right, they are deplorable and do not belong in the USA.
13
Is there one department that has been strengthened under the Trump administration?
5
@Bill bartelt
No.
2
Even more distressing than Barr are Trump's supporters, who DEMAND that Trump fully utilize government resources for immediate investigation of their enemies.
The Senators who whisper "something is wrong", and then kowtow to Trump? They are obviously lying to the reporters, so why report what they say? Their votes are the only thing of importance.
And we already know those Senators cast their votes for Trump and his lawlessness, along with the rest of the Republican party.
Give the people anything they want, and moral or immoral it doesn't make a difference to Trump. He'll do it.
That's how Trump wins, and that's how the country loses in the end.
2
Trump is not doing anything more egregious now than when he first took office over three years ago. Every tweet, action, reaction and statement from him has caused great distress to MANY, so much so, one has lost count of the number of people Trump appointed that have left either on their own accord or were fired because they disagreed with him.
The only thing more glaring different is that finally, the attorney general is feeling the heat from all sides and is publicly being scrutinized and called out. And this weird game of turning the tables and blame on Trump? Like anyone believes Barr is that disgruntled by the actions of the president?
Come on already. I wish Barr would stop trying to pull our leg on his "indignation" because mine are already long enough.
The only way I will believe anything that either Trump or Barr states is true is if Trump fired Barr or if Barr resigns out of disgust.
Anything else is merely a continuance of an elaborate dance in which everyone's feet continues to get twisted and turned.
8
Trump thinks that it is his country now.
Republicans agree.
They are wrong.
18
An agency that was formerly known for upholding the law without favor.
4
“...there is a fear that Trump is undermining the agency’s reputation”?? Sorry, but that ship sailed a long time ago.
12
Considering the willful failure of the Justice Department under St. William Holder to prosecute crimes in the financial services industry, I hardly think there's much left of its "treasured reputation" to protect. That Barr finally "spoke out" gives me some hope that perhaps his gang of crooks have figured out the president may very well not get re-elected. Republican corruption is now so extreme that the next Democratic president might actually be forced to take at least some action to reign it in.
2
A justified fear. Trump cheapens everything he touches and Barr, McConnell, Graham, Collins, Murkowski, Paul, Pompeo, Pence, Roberts, and the rest are making it easy for Trump to weaken all of our institutions.
8
These Justice Department lawyers shouldn't be "fearful", they should be outraged... and so should all Americans who care about their democratic institutions.
7
Trump wants to use the federal judiciary as a personal weapon, and Barr is similarly inclined. But they differ in degree of subtlety. Trump has no filter, no regard for precedent, and knows no restraint. Barr is mostly a silent assassin, dressing up his rampant partisanship in platitudes, legalisms, and public dissembling.
Regardless, that leaves our republic on the brink of an autocracy run by a lawless and corrupt president. But Trump can’t do it alone. He needs a small army of collaborators and enablers. Mostly they’re the second and third wave of 4th rate senior administration members.
But Barr is different in that he has some patina as an establishment Republican. He’s trying to pretend this is all normal and appropriate under our constitution. It’s not. And now he faces a revolt within the people’s DoJ. We’ve reached yet another break-the-glass moment. If he were honorable, Barr would resign in the face of Trump’s demands. Instead, he and Trump are probably at work on a major distraction.
And Chief Justice John Roberts, formerly a potted plant at the impeachment trial, should be making public statements about the independence of the judiciary and its commitment to the constitution and rule of law. He should never stand by while judges are disparaged or threatened by a president who not only deserved impeachment, but should have been unanimously removed from office.
10
Trump contaminates everything that he touches: reputations, organizations, and the rule of law. Evidently GOP politicians and voters love him for that reason.
5
Senator Murphy, in a moment of extraordinary candor during a televised interview, in which I felt he was painfully searching to explain the impeachment vote, said Republican senators truly believe there is a liberal "Deep State," filled with their political rivals. and that they need to clear these liberals out.
I believe him.
Why people vote for those who want to destroy government is a mystery to me.
What other job in the world is there, where you would hire someone who energetically and loudly proclaims: "Hire me! I want to destroy your organization."
4
Time for those people in the Justice Dept. to stop worrying about it, and accept the reality that it has happened. The American people have to realize that with Bill Barr as A-G, Mitch McConnell as Senate Majority Leader, and heavy support in the Supreme Court, Trump is now proceeding with his efforts to further his cause, namely himself, his reputation, his wealth accumulation, and his family (in that order). The American people do not even make the list. And if you look at the situation, one group helping him to do that is Putin and his band of thugs. Given Trump's deference to Russia and his admiration (adoration?) of Putin, I would suggest that he has received a package of damaging information on most of the Republican leaders in both the Senate and the House to aid him in getting his way with them, and would not doubt that Putin has a nice package of info on Trump as well, probably tied to his Deutschebank loans. Those in America who want to save their country had better wake up and start doing it now, or the final lines of your anthem "Home of the brave, and the land of the free" will ring very hollow.
6
I have also read the article about the 1100 prosecutors who have written an open letter regarding inappropriate behaviour on Mr. Barr & President Trump as to his friend, Roger Stone. I was waiting for all this to blow up. I agree w/Protect Democracy, that enough evidence was gathered during the Mueller probe to charge the President w/obstruction of justice. This Presidency is tainted from the very beginning. Simply more evidence accrues. I sensed there was something fishy about this Att. General. Americans will have a long uphill climb to redress this mess. The principle of justice w/out fear or favour has definitely been undermined. I’m glad the prosecutors resigned & lawyers in the Dept. of Justice feel threatened somehow in their impartiality. Because the Republicans have unanimously protected a President that should have not served one day in office! The truth always does come out.
5
Starting with is application for the job, that letter in which he tells Trump he agrees with everything Trump says, on to pretty much every action Barr has taken in office. Barr has shown that he is not willing to protect that reputation as each of these things was a direct attack upon the foundations of that reputation.
The decision not to send the whistlblower complaint to Congress against the IG's recommendation and the past practice of sending all complaints to Congress regardless of whether the IG thought them to be urgent enough or not should have also led to an impeachment inquiry against Barr.
What did Maya Angelou say? "When someone tells you who they are, Believe them!"
4
Trump and his folks including the Congressional leaders are destroying the justice system. Soon the, if not already, courts will be just extension of the executive.
3
The same justice department that have repeatedly accused Huawei of spying without providing a shred of evidence is worrying about reputation?
The one that cooked up trump charges against Assange, Snowden, and Manning because they exposed the department’s illegal activity?
The one that planted evidence on civil rights activists, gun rights proponent, Asian professors, and minority suspects?
1
I suggest reading "Fascism" by Madeline Albright. We are allowing our nation's weaknesses and internal dissensions and polarizations to take better of us. Albright has identified the symptoms and the problems, but is unfortunately short on solutions, like everyone else.
2
It's time to separate the Department of Justice from the Executive branch. Whether it's made into a quasi-government agency or whether it's brought under the courts, it can't be under a corrupt, lying executive, like we have now.
2
Unfortunately, the Times does its troubled credibility no good by spouting an untrue, hagiographic claim like "the Justice Department’s treasured reputation for upholding the law without favor or political bias." That false premise, along with comments from three dozen prosecutors, forms the basis of this article. Countless judicial decisions, state and federal, have stated the prosecutorial function is an executive (i.e., overtly political, and yes, biased) one. In many thousands reported judicial decisions where convicted defendants sentenced to decades in federal prison complain of politically motivated, selective prosecution, courts routinely reject such challenges, pointing out the executive branch of government can pick and choose who and how it prosecutes, even if those choices could be politically influenced. This is a reality to many thousands of prisoners still serving lengthy sentences up to life, many of whom are from marginalized communities. Ask them how much good this supposed "treasured reputation" did for them. On this point, promoting the infallibility of prosecutors, it is odd to see Breitbart and the Times share such similar views.
1
I know that many people like to joke that Trump seems to act like a dictator, and that he seems to admire dictators. Of course it's all in fun, but every month he seems to slide further down that scale.
He doesn't control the media but his relationship with Fox News and things like awarding Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom are smarmy at best.
Trump's refusal to fill positions throughout the government has made those parts of government less able to do their jobs. His cabinet member's ties to big money and our slide toward a new gilded age push us further toward plutocracy.
Trump's attacks on honorable men and woman who had the guts to testify under oath in the impeachment hearings, and his administration's refusal to testify seem dictatorial.
The Senate's fear of Trump and their complicity with him show how Trump has coalesced power in one branch of government. And the Senate's refusal to honor President Obama's Supreme Court nomination while ramrodding Trump's nomination through shows how he has coalesced power in the third branch of government.
Trump has appointed sycophants like Barr throughout the government. Remember the cabinet meeting where his appointees took turns praising him?
Trump has not only shown disappointment with those who don't agree with him, he has shown contempt while attacking them. He and people around him have been involved in one scandal or indictment after another.
Trump as dictator is funny. . . .until it isn't.
4
I never, ever, ever thought I would miss Jeff Sessions.
4