From arresting Stone in a non-sensical manner with guns blazing at dawn, to excessive prison term recommendation, to text messages between FBI agents to block Trump in his election, to justice department staff reportedly donating to Hillary Clinton at a rate of 20 to 1 for Trump, and on and on and on, it is evident that the occupation of the legal system by the extreme liberals is both wide and deep. President Trump should give breathing room to Barr and not do back seat driving, but for his part Barr should dedicate himself to correcting the present malaise and to rebuilding the Justice Department with non-partisan professionals.
6
Everyday I tell myself that we have finally reached the bottom of the dark pit that is the Trump presidency. And everyday I am proven wrong. Will this insanity ever end? Can we survive this continued assault on our values? Much time and energy has been devoted to ridding us of Trump to no avail. Our only hope is an opposition presidential candidate who can rally the county but this seems like a tall order. If my assessment seems depressing and bleak that’s because I cannot put on a brave face anymore and stay optimistic. I see no clear way out of this mess. Please vote in November for whoever the democratic nominee is.
31
Imagine for a moment what the results of the upcoming election are going to look like in this new climate of lawlessness. Every state that doesn't reelect Trump will be in court for years. Four to be exact. Thanks Mitch.
17
We are at a crucial point, perhaps even a tilting point, for political democracy in the U.S. Trump is our Putin, our Duterte, our Mnangagwa, our Erdegon.
Does anyone really believe that Trump would not follow his dictatorial brethren down the authoritarian path of elected autocracy. Can you imagine no circumstances in which he might decide that there are better games in town than democracy to achieve his goals?
The likes of Trump and his fellow "strong men" have shown that they cannot only win elections, but that they can operate within ostensibly democratic systems while governing in deeply undemocratic ways.
20
"President Trump and Attorney General William P. Barr agree on one thing at least: The president is making the attorney general’s job much harder".
Nonsense. If anyone wants to defend the FBI, DOJ and prosecutorial excesses we witnessed during the Mueller investigation feel free. Trump is more than happy to try them and his detractors in the court of public opinion. The shrillness of their squeals is evidence that he's winning his case.
1
Barr's memo saying that a president cannot be charged with a crime while in office has emboldened Trump as much as the "acquittal" by the Senate. It's quite clear that Trump sees himself as an authority on everything and as a dictator in the making. If he wins a second term, he will complete that authoritarian bent and do lasting harm to the country.
Barr must rein him in or resign.
15
With absolute power to let criminals free with no regard for justice how are we not a half-step away from Trump locking up people that challenge him? Starting with the top democratic candidates of course. With justice itself no longer an impediment or concern I doubt Trump would bother with fabricating charges. Why even bother with incarceration? As Trump said, he could shoot someone in the street and not loose a single supporter. All responsibility to justice, the Constitution, democracy or the people of the United States (other than himself) have been made irrelevant by the voice of every Republican Congressman (except a few not running in the next election). What restraints are left?
Every Republican Congressman (except a few not running again) would wholeheartedly defend Trump’s right to do literally anything at this point. Now that absolute power has been granted to Trump the support of Republican Congressmen is quickly becoming irrelevant. Justice and the Constitution and democracy itself have been openly made powerless. What, if anything, would now keep Trump from nullifying the current un-Trumpian Constitution, dismissing Congress, and drafting a new Constitution with Trump and his descendants as the rightful heirs to the throne.
8
The descent into pure arbitrary Ubuesque legal decisions and processes is progressing by giant leaps these days in the realm of chief justice officer Donald Trump . Let's not kid ourselves, these latest pardons and clemencies are mere amuse gueules before the first main dish is served: a refusal to step down after the November elections declare him defeated.
This president is a media ring master,and a fine connoisseur of the darker recesses of the Republican party.He uses then gets rid of anybody who may no longer be helpful (the list is long by now) He will keep mr Barr because there is no time to replace him.He will pardon his friends and associates before the elections results come in as is his right as president.
Democrats will need to be prepared for an after Elections results battle ,where mr Trump may have prepared some surprise moves to question their validity . If I knew ,I'd share gladly but I am far away ,and can only theorize...Nastier than hanging chads for sure and a benevolent Supreme Court available to issue a ruling.
6
There is no evidence that Trump and Barr agree on the "one thing" that the Times highlights in the first paragraph of this story--that Trump is making Barr's job harder. The only evidence we have on this is that they want to make it look like Barr thinks that Trump is making his job harder.
I am not the only one to believe that this whole brouhaha is staged to make people think that Barr has some principles left and that the AG's office has some claim to objectivity in enforcing the laws.
Indeed, there is no evidence that Barr is behaving like an AG instead of a lackey. If Barr meant what he said, he would have resigned. He didn't, so he doesn't. Trump is not making his job harder, because Barr knows that his job is to do what the President says, whatever that may be, and no matter that he has to sacrifice any principles he might once have had to do so.
8
'[Trump] called Mr. Stone’s conviction “a very, very rough thing” and said that Mr. Flynn’s “life has been destroyed.” '
Did Trump mean sort of like the people who put all their life's savings, hopes, and dreams into his Trump "University"? Or maybe the small-business contractors who Trump decided not to pay? Hard to know just what he meant, but he may have meant that Flynn knows things Trump doesn't want us to know?
12
The script today's GOP is currently working from was written by the Republican Party in the aftermath of WW II and the same script was used by the Clinton Administration as an export product of governance to Russia in the immediate aftermath of the USSR's collapse.
Putin's rewrite of that script has been imported back to the USA by the 21st century GOP led by Donald J. Trump; CEO of The Trump Organization.
The Tsars and Joe Stalin are reaching out from beyond their graves with their poisonous plots.
1
Mr Edsall's opinion piece in today's NYT seems relevant to understanding what Trump is doing. Most of us failed to foresee the impact of the digital revolution that started in the 1970s, and by now has significantly changed the economy and created new types of work, while making others obsolete. Government did not anticipate the amount of disruption and uncertainty these changes would cause. The economic meltdown in 2007-2008 further weakened confidence in government being willing or able to protect citizens from ruthless financiers. Mr Edsall describes how the GOP and Trump focused on people angry at perceived government indifference to their problems, and manipulated the fears and angers to get their votes. The irony is that far from being saviors, the GOP and Trump have shown their agenda is simply getting the votes, and not in anything to improve their voters' economic upward mobility. The government responded inadequately to economic and social changes, but the GOP and Trump are offering only fake solutions designed to make voters feel good temporarily. If we do abandon democracy, the Constitution and the law, we could even evolve into a collection of competing ruthless warlords, sort of like Afghanistan or Syria, etc.
1
Trump is a change agent normalizing corruption through out our culture.
Trump views this through the prism of his base of support; the political and financial criminal class as his recent pardons demonstrate.
The problem is that Trump thinks his is the only voice that matters. Barr should join the choir of those who see Trump for who he is - a mad man - and raise the alarm that the house is on fire.
4
Barr and Trump. Is this not the best comedy duo since Abbott and Costello? Or throw in Stone and we have real competition to the Three Stooges. Maybe they should start thinking of their livelihood post-presidency. They could take the show on the road, preferably in prison uniforms - orange of course.
3
People in the legal profession know perfectly well when someting is skirting the law. They are not ignorant of it, Barr certainly isn't. But despite the most pertinent requirement to their field they are corruptible. Barr will rightly join the ranks of tools Trump used and discarded, easily replaced with something more vile, and he will deserve the stain of it. Only the Senate could stop this and they made their loyalties loud and clear.
1
When in a hole, the US just can't quit digging. It is awesome to behold.
3
“Just so you understand, I chose not to be involved,” he said. “I’m allowed to be totally involved. I’m actually, I guess, the chief law enforcement officer of the country.”
So saith The Donald. November 3, 2020. Help save us from having to have anything more to do with this horrible person. Please.
7
Why even report on Barr's supposed irritation? It's what he does that matters, not rumors of what he thinks. Poor guys continually undermines our democracy and then gets irritated. My hear bleed for the guy.
1
...and so it begins.
3
Democrats have no one but themselves to blame for this. You pursued him from even before he got elected and now you reap what you sowed.
To my fellow Americans —
How long are we gonna pretend that Trump is not sick in the head?
7
Trump is the Monkey’s Paw. He gives these people their wishes, but at a terrible price.
3
Barr has always been limp during this administration and it's sad and amusing to seem him kicked in the teeth by the very man he defended.
Trump is disloyal to all except himself.
1
"If you want me to continue doing your dirty work, you can't say that I'm doing your dirty work."
9
Twitter needs to shut down trump's twitter account now.
4
It’s all theatrics...
2
Barr does whatever Dumpf wants whenever Dumpf wants it.
Barr is a criminal following orders and working for another criminal.
This whole thing is an act, a sham, a con.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke.
11
Here we go again, "everything Trump touches dies!"
5
Anyone taking bets that Barr resigns and Giuliani will be announced as the new AG on the very same day?
6
Trump needs to dominate anyone and everyone. He might yield the grip and show some compassion and magnanimity to someone he humiliates. This need to crush extends to people other than brown migrant children.
So poor Bill Barr who thought he had a partner in cruelty, someone he could work with to impose his soul deadening vision on how a society should oppress its inhabitants winds up as another malevolent jerk put into his place.
5
@Robert Roth
Very true...if the two of them aren't pulling a con. Which they may well be doing. Frankly, anything that either one of them says is most likely a total lie.
2
After decades of holding themselves out as the "law and order" party, the GOP has had a makeover.
Now, they're the "lawless and disorder" party.
6
@Jerseytime: It is the "Me First!" Party now.
1
AG Barr appears to be just a place holder in our Justice Department. He does what Donald Trump tells him to do.
2
So now Al Capone's in charge.
5
Impeachment Part 2?
3
@AS: Congress will have to sue for evidence and testimony now.
Senator Collins was right. Trump’s impeachment acquittal in the Senate “trial” taught him a lesson.
He has learned that he can do anything he wants and will not be held accountable by the other two
branches of government.
Only the voters can make the necessary change, but I have little confidence that will happen.
5
As a substitute teacher, I am appalled by by the contrast between the way the President and his littlest subjects view the laws of the land. The President plainly sees laws as mechanisms to increase his personal wealth and to reward his friends. The Kindergartener sees rules as ways to improve the classroom experience for everyone and make sure that all benefit. They have an intrinsic sense of right and wrong. Even besties will be shopped if they break the rules.
Wasn’t there a book explaining that all we ever really needed to know to get on with each other, we learned in Kindergarten? Did Trump and his cronies somehow skip Kindergarten?
4
I'm reminded of Adam Schiff's speech to the Senate when arguing for Trump's removal from office.
You might ask yourself how much damage can he do in the months until November. The answer is a lot.
8
So now there is talk Barr was considering resigning?
Not until he is actually out the door can we believe that.
That Trump didn't "punch back ten times harder" to Barr is evidence that it is just more gas lighting.
3
What would it take for Barr to redeem himself to any degree of self-respect? Or our respect? Resigning on principle with full denunciation of Trump and earnest apology to the American people for starters.
3
Good story. When the three Republican Senators said Barr had not "fallen short of the responsibilities of his office,” they effectively admitted that they had fallen short of their responsibilities as senators during the impeachment trial. After all, who else confirmed Trump's impression that the president is above the law?
4
There are a lot of words written about democracy dying 'in the dark'. This idea that people's lack of information and the spread of propaganda will erode our freedoms until they're gone.
But what about people who simply refuse to accept the truth when it's presented to them, evidence and all? People so wrapped up in their own world views that they refuse to accept any challenge to it? People so hateful they would sacrifice all to keep those in power who would harm the ones they dislike? This is the challenge the United States faces right now and sadly it's nothing a free press or fact checking can fix.
6
These politely moves are so transparent! Americans are being set up for the Roger Stone dismal at which time William Barr will resign and keep his image intact.
Barr, Trump and Stone are in collaboration folks! Trump can’t be exposed to what Roger Stone knows!
1
Trump doesn't claim to be "Law of the Land". He claims to have authority over the Justice Department, which enforces laws, but doesn't make them. That is actually his constitutional power, although a sensible President doesn't use it to meddle.
Who cares if William Barr resigns? He has done as much to facilitate Donald "L'etat C'est Moi" Trump's lawlessness as any of the other people who routinely compromise their scruples and self-respect on Trump's behalf. Trump was president for well over a year before Barr auditioned for the attorney general job with that (unsolicited) memo blasting Mueller's obstruction of justice investigation, a case on which Barr was not working and into which he had no real insight (he says as much in the memo's first two sentences). He did not know what kind of man he was dealing with? Trump has always demanded obsequious loyalty while offering almost no loyalty to others.
If Barr does resign, why on earth should Trump care? Trump has already gotten what he wanted from Barr and could safely kick him to the curb, as he does with anyone whom he considers no longer useful to him. If the past three years have shown anything, it's that there is no shortage of craven opportunists who will sell their souls to shill for this snake oil salesman, so someone else as sycophantic - and probably more so - will replace Barr in fairly short order. It would not surprise if the next attorney general was "acting" so the person felt more insecure about their job and even more compliant.
3
This tale of Trump and the Justice Department and “the law of the land” and pardons at the behest of friends and cronies, makes it clear that
We so so so —
Need a new Constitutional Convention to update our 1700s operating document to the 21st-century.
3
Explain to me, please, why Barr's "irritation" is not, instead, rage and action? He has the power to at least put a dent or temporary stay in Trump's abominable assault on justice by resigning and then speaking loudly and often!! This is pure theater. And I, for one, am much more than just "irritated" that the rule of law is being destroyed before our very eyes.
5
If Barr had any honor, he would resign and come clean in open testimony before Congress. I'm not holding my breath for that one. I'll have to settle for expecting a future non-criminal administration to hold these Trump criminals accountable.
4
Have Trump Barr exchanges on the Stone case, like Stone himself, become a clown car distraction? Did Barr have a bouquet of professional ethics up his sleeve all along? Presto chango, what's disappeared from before our eyes?
Well, whatever Barr was up to in Ukraine. It looked like a wink at protocol to give Trump's trolling expedition a veneer of DOJ legitimacy. Now any info out of Ukraine is under suspicion until scrubbed by Barr - of any facts Trump wants buried? Mueller Report Ground Hog Day?
We need to vote Trump out of office. We cannot wait for justice to rain down like water. No ones gonna do it for us, we've gotta do it for ourselves. Everything else is a distraction. If we are determined any Democratic candidate will do.
5
Mr. Trump is a dangerously delusional individual shown by his increasing mayhem-building actions, visible with every passing day.
We've witnessed over the past three years large numbers of the president's cabinet, along with many other officials, as they've bailed out of this administration--that should clearly tell us something about the instability of the president.
Now it appears that the Attorney General is considering extricating himself from a job that has been tainted all along by Mr. Trump's apparent behind-the-scenes direction, using Mr. Barr as his willing weapon.
Enough is enough. This whole administration has been compromised since the beginning of this president's term--a reflection of the incompetency and autocracy of Donald J. Trump.
Let's use the electoral process to regain the sanity that this country most sorely needs.
4
Jeff Sessions helped Donald Trump get elected and his reward was to be appointed Attorney General and then to spend two years being publicly humiliated. Mitch McConnell has turned the Senate into a tool for the President's pleasure, and while he hasn't come to regret it yet, he or his successors will evenually rue the day the turned over all their power. And now the man who told the President that he was all powerful is starting to chafe at the power he has enabled. Good for him. What kind of fool gives power to such a man and doesn't realize what he is enabling?
6
trump will be re-elected this fall. His 2d term will be more of a nightmare for the rule of law and the Constitution than the 1st. The GOP has stocked the judiciary w/qualified and unqualified lackeys thru the acts of its Senate, which also determined that trump will never be held accountable for breaking the law. So at the end his 2d term, the Constitutional prohibition against more than 2 terms for any president will be abrogated one way or another, maybe by the now corrupt judiciary, or a memo from the already corrupt DOJ, or refusal of the Senate to act, maybe all of the above. Unlikely? Who will stop this? What violence will eventually ensue? Dems better get their collective act together and unify. The Bernie Bros can’t stay home if their fave is not the candidate, previous non-voters have to vote, no third party candidates anywhere. It will be difficult to beat the odds against us in the Electoral College, and the Russian interference we know is already happening, no doubt w/help from the White House. I hope I’m wrong.
1
Trump is an agent change normalizing corruption through out our culture.
It is a safe bet that the stage is being set for a mass resignation from top to bottom at Justice—regardless of what Barr does or doesn't do.
Trump sees this through the prism of his base of support—the political and financial criminal class as his recent pardons demonstrate.
2
“I’m allowed to be totally involved. I’m actually, I guess, the chief law enforcement officer of the country".
Now that Mitch McConnell has granted Trump effective immunity until November, arrogance knows no boundaries for our president.
I don't know there is a greater motivator to replace Trump than his behaviors of the last three week.
4
It's a shame to see three outstanding reporters and the NY Times being played. From the beginning Mr. Barr has done Trump's bidding with alacrity. He will continue to do so while he remains Attorney General. These are leaks from Barr and his cronies to gain him sympathy. The article shows Barr as having signs of independence when, in fact, he has none. He remains the personal consiglieri of a criminal president.
5
Barr may make some pro forma noise, but he won't do anything. Trump has given him the opportunity to establish Barr's conservative Catholicism as our state religion. Barr will do whatever Trump says.
3
Mr. Barr, there is no shame in walking out. I'm sure that Tillerson, McMaster, Mattis, Gary Cohen, John Kelly and more will be there waiting to shake your hand.
2
And the slide towards unfettered autocracy accelerates with the Senate watching from the bleachers... God help us, and God help these United States of America.
4
Put on your critical thinking caps people and see this for what it is. Trump and Barr are working together in a calculated, coordinated way to fool you. This is the part on new the reality TV show called American't. It's where Trump and his sycophantic minions interject phony drama to make you believe there is a disagreement between their internal parties. But there's no disagreement. It's all made up to keep you watching, to keep you captivated- "Oh look, Bill's mad now! He's going to tell off Trump and resign. Here it comes!"
Ahhhhh, no.
What they're really is doing creating chaos to keep you confused, off balance and eventually asleep. It pretends to give you false hope that the "Heroic Bill Barr" will somehow come to the rescue. But Barr won't because he works for Trump and loves it! Any other US AG with integrity, who follows the rule of law, would have resigned long ago.
Time to change the channel folks. Vote out Trump in 2020. You will be glad you did.
7
Yeah he’s irritated that his schemes and sham investigations are being exposed.
2
Barr is an honorable man. He sees things crossing the line on both sides. He will be left to battle Trump. My money is Barr. With this kind of lack of leadership....Trump opens up the road for theirs of Bloomberg.
This is all Kabuki Theater. Trump and Barr are simply creating lots of confusion, under cover of which Trump will justify his eventual pardons of Stone and Flynn.
3
So, Mr. Barr, you see what your own compliance has unleashed.
1
Deliberately misleading the American people with his twisted assessment of the Muellar Report for weeks was a stain on Barr that will go down in history as the lie that changed the course of history. His redacted version and refusal to release all documents to the House in order to protect Trump thwarted impeachment at that time. He is a media hound like Trump, rumors of his resigning are laughable, he loves the percs and his face in the news.
2
'Calling himself “the chief law enforcement officer of the country,” Mr. Trump demanded...'
This is actually laughable (and stupid) on its face. He is no more the "chief law enforcement officer" than he is "chief doctor" (because the surgeon general reports to him), or "chief meterorologist" (because the NWS is under NOAA, which is under the Department of Commerce), or "chief lawyer" (because the attorney general reports to him). He is the temporary head of the executive branch, which supposedly means that people with more expertise and more specific skill sets report to him. His election did not give him special mental powers or abilities, and his unwillingness to read or listen to people with more knowledge and/or experience means that he's still just as ignorant as the day he rode down the escalator in Trump Tower to begin his campaign as self-appointed king of the know-nothings.
Having to listen to his constant parade of idiocies on social media is like a 21st century version of Sartre's "No Exit."
6
Are we being played here? Punked? I’m not buying any of it. Barr resigning over tweets? Please...
1
I am absolutely no fan of Barr but I want to give him some advice: resign before you are indicted and end up in jail with Trumps other cronies. Trump will not think twice about turning on you when you no longer serve his purposes. Have you learned nothing? Is hanging on to power so important that you will risk going to jail and having your life ruined. Don’t count on Trump to pardon you too.
2
@Lew, you said:Trump is rewarding his rich friends... There is nothing wrong with being rich. Trump is rewarding his "corrupt" friends.
1
By now anyone with half a brain should know that Trump will give the Trump treatment to whoever attempts to get Trump to not-Trump.
Trump's gotta Trump.
Trump wakes up, watches TV, Trumps, then calls it a day and gets ready to Trump all over again tomorrow.
1
Mr. Attorney General,
I am sorry you are feeling so hurt by your President's behavior. I would understand completely if you chose to step down. After all, nearly every decent person in his administration has done so. If some cases, history may choose to remember them almost well.
Yet, you have enabled the President, maybe following the misguided dictates of your party. However, you could do something for your country that is better than stepping down. You could enforce the laws, with your conservative bend as is your wish, instead of supporting a deeply flawed leader lacking both intellect and a moral compass.
Countless men and women have defended our Constitution since its adoption. So, instead of trashing the document as so many in your party seem to want to do, maybe you could help enforce it? Is that too much to ask an Attorney General to do? Or maybe think of your responsibility to the people of our country who pay you for your legal work? (Funny we should think of you as our lawyer.)
All the best to you.
1
@TCA: The entire Republican Party is now circled around the inequitable representation of the American people in Washington.
1
Mr. Attorney General,
I am sorry you are feeling so hurt by your President's behavior. I would understand completely if you chose to step down. After all, nearly every decent person in his administration has done so. If some cases, history may choose to remember them almost well.
Yet, you have enabled the President, maybe following the misguided dictates of your party. However, you could do something for your country that is better than stepping down. You could enforce the laws, with your conservative bend as is your wish, instead of supporting a deeply flawed leader lacking both intellect and a moral compass.
Countless men and women have defended our Constitution since its adoption. So, instead of trashing the document as so many in your party seem to want to do, maybe you could help enforce it? Is that too much to ask an Attorney General to do? Or maybe think of your responsibility to the people of our country who pay you for your legal work? (Funny we should think of you as our lawyer.)
All the best to you.
1
I attended a breakfast at which AG Barr was present in 1992. He blew his nose into a cloth napkin.
4
Great photo. The blur in the foreground, mouth open, clearly being eyed askance by the guy called earlier to his defense. Ha.
1
Trump's record of corruption in high places speaks again.
3
Mr. Barr is old enough to have memories of John Mitchell. Perhaps he does not want to join Mitchell in history
Welcome to the next 8 1/2 months of absolute craziness!!!
2
The Donald always wanted to be King. His minions are making sure he gets to be one. Bow down, subjects! Appease and flatter the new tyrant and be lifted up. Oppose and be destroyed..
Odd, but completely in character, that the Republicans and the Southern yellow dogs, so forceful in their demand for State's rights and for individuals to have 2nd Amendment protection can be so bellicose in cheering on a President cum Monarch who blatantly seeks to Trump the Constitution and ignore the established laws of the land. If these are the powers of a President, what happens when the next one decides the 2nd amendment or any others are irrelevant and can be ignored? There is a reason our first President rejected the suggestion he be King. Until now, that tradition has served to make America great. Apparently, no more.
3
Oh spare me. It's all an act! Barr is as unprincipled as Trump is. I can't believe the Times falls for their transparent little show.
26
@cjmick66
time will tell...and the Justice Department writ large is not part of the show and is not amused...mass resignations in the offing.
Mr. Barr, how does it feel to have your professional ethics and expertise rendered meaningless?
19
If the leadership of the DOJ is truly fed up with Trump, they could do one simple thing that would send the loudest possible message; they could rescind the DOJ policy that prohibits them from indicting a sitting president. It’s not a law and it has no constitutional basis, it’s just a POLICY.
49
@Jim
That's not happening with Barr in charge.
What was Barr and for that matter the DOJ staff expecting? I am just baffled by how all of these people who serve Trump end up being "disappointed" or "angry". Did they really not know what would happen? It seems to me that ambition got the better of prudence, honor and self-respect, and in the end, reputation.
26
@Michael Skadden: They evidently believe that enabling Trump will get God to prove itself to exist.
The chickens are coming home to roost. For decades we have ignored war crimes of members of the military and different administrations. Also for many years now, we had de facto a different justice system for the rich and powerful than average citizens. This has undermined respect for the law and its institutions and led to the politicization of our courts. The current situation with Trump and Barr has been in the making for a long time.
7
@Peter Schaeffer: The rich get extorted through the court system frequently. They hand the lawsuit off to an insurance company that just pays off some fraudster.
1
Trump is consolidating control over the major power centers of the United States: the executive branch (complete), the press (about a third of the way there, thanks Fox), the Congress (halfway there, thanks Republicans), and now the judicial system (maybe one tenth of the way, thanks Bill Barr and Republicans). He's also working on gaining power over industry, suggesting government purchase of 5G tech firms, directing contracts toward supporters (eg, the wall), and away from detractors (Microsoft instead of AWS). I expect it won't be long before he goes after military control, perhaps making Don Jr. chairman of the Joint Chiefs.(He does have big game hunting experience after all.) I'd sure like to know how often Trump confers with Putin and what they're talking about. A lot of this sounds like Putin's playbook.
24
Stay engaged, contact your representatives, and remember this in November. As long as Americans avoid complacency and apathy, we can restore our democracy and system of checks and balances by voting blue!
18
Declaring yourself the judge, jury, and executioner is a classic authoritarian ploy for destroying the institutions of justice and law. It's almost as if there is an outside force directing the actions from a pre-written script.
23
@No name
the script was written by the Republican Party in the aftermath of WW II and the same script was used by the Clinton Administration as an export product of governance to Russia in the immediate aftermath of the USSR's collapse.
Putin's rewrite of that script has been imported back to the USA by the 21st century GOP led by Donald J. Trump; CEO of The Trump Organization.
1
Why did Barr take this job? What did he hope to gt out of it exactly? Fame? Historical recognition? A chance to impose his own agenda on American law? Future political aspirations?
I don't understand his motivation to defend Trump. He's an evangelical Christian so perhaps he's guided by what he considers a higher authority - one not outlined in his job description.
Yikes.
4
@Bob Woolcock he wants a seat on the Supreme Court.
1
Again, let us remind ourselves one thing: The Office of the Presidency must be respected, protected and celebrated.
We may not agree with President Trump in every move he makes. But the Office he represents is one sacrosanct word for U.S.A for the entire world - openness and fairness.
1
I trust you are writing ironically? The office (to be respected) and the person occupying it (must earn respect) are separate entities. Blindly supporting the second in lieu of honoring the constitutional role of first risks descent into dictatorship.
7
@Sam Sengupta I respect the office but not the man.
2
@Sam Sengupta
"We may not agree with President Trump in every move he makes. But the Office he represents is one sacrosanct word for U.S.A for the entire world - openness and fairness."
???
What definition of "sacrosanct" are you using?
1
The “unlaw of the land” is more like it. Trump doesn’t have the power to deprive anyone of life liberty or property without due process of law. All he can do is choose not to enforce the law as Obama did with regard to DACA or pardon some people who may or may not deserve it. Instead of worrying about Trump becoming our dictator, we should worry that he will become our great liberator and give us or at least some of us too much freedom. The only people he seems to be interested in prosecuting our people in the government , holdovers from the Obama administration. that he believes abused their power in investigating him and his associates. Not you or me.
1
If my memory serves me right, Richard Nixon made the same claim that he is "the chief law enforcement officer of the land" and shortly after that he quit.
The chance that Putin's Donny will quit is zero - unless Putin orders him to and Putin will not do that. So the only course of action is for Barr to quit. But that requires a sense of shame - to being associated with a Russian mole and a mad man, and a sense of loyalty - to the men and women serving in the Justice Department. And does Barr have either? I doubt it.
So as Putin's Donny so often say, we shall see what happens.
9
The President is not in any sense "the chief law enforcement officer of the country." His role in the Justice Department is limited to nominating candidates for Attorney General and a few other high officers of the Department for Senate confirmation. The Department, the AG and all these offices are created by acts of Congress and charged directly by Congress with hundreds of specific tasks -- without mention of the President.
The President can remove the AG or others, but not for some corrupt purpose. This is the monstrous trouble with the Republican argument in Trump's impeachment trial that he could not be impeached for actions that are generally within his authority and not criminal. But what if he removes the top leadership of the Department because they refuse to prosecute his rivals and free his friends? Make no mistake: THAT is the authoritarian power Trump has just brazenly claimed on national TV without a peep of protest from Republicans.
Trump is the most dangerous person in American history to hold the highest office in the land. Stopping him is the challenge facing the Democratic Party.
14
Trump and Barr are following the game plan of the WWF.
And for the benefit of any Trump supporters, the WWF was not actually real wrestling.
9
History might thank Trump for showing Americans just how bad it can get under the "rule" of a greedy, incurious lout. That's assuming America digs itself back out and that this all ends in under a year.
There have always been doomsayers in American politics; one side always warns the end is near if so-and-so gets elected. This time, however, it's not hyperbole. After 250 years, the end really is actually near with a second term for Trump.
15
With his acquittal by the Senate, Trump is now emboldened to act with impunity, subject to no checks & balances, accountability or repercussion. Trump is undermining our Constitution, democracy, governmental institutions and the rule of law. He is using everything in “The Dictator’s Handbook” to neutralize those guardrails that prevent him from becoming an authoritarian leader, like Putin, Xi, Kim Jung-un, Erdogan, etc. whom Trump admires. It will take a very informed electorate to deny Trump re-election in November. And if AG Barr had any dignity and respect for himself and the DOJ, he would resign and hand in his resignation letter to Trump ASAP.
9
I wish Mr. Barr had talked to me before he accepted the job of Attorney General. I would have told him this would happen.
I feel sorry for all those thousands of poor people who are in jail, missing their children's birthdays, not able to watch them grow up. Their outrage must be almost unbearable when they see people who have destroyed so many lives walk free. Maybe he can get around to pardoning Bernie Madoff now.
7
The subheading—“left by the end of the day to consider his own future” sounds like unsourced and not supported or supportable muckraking. Like 63,000,000 voters, Barr gets it. Trump is a flawed man who never learned the art of political diplomacy—doublespeak or no-speak as it should be called. He says what he thinks. But his policies shine compared to the darkness the Bernie voters will create.
1
@ehillesum
10 million more people voted AGAINST Trump than for him. We get it because Trump says what he thinks -- and he thinks and acts -like a lying, bigoted, erratic, ignorant, vindictive, corrupt authoritarian sociopath.
And he's already President and abusing his power. Whatever you think of Bernie, he is NOT President, nor nominee, nor the only Democrat vying for that.
2
Barr may be recognizing some possible tremors in the land from the continuing behavior of the Emperor and is taking pause in said continuing tweets from Trump. He shook off Mueller for the Emperor, kept subpoenas away from others, or acknowledged in some manner that refusals would be lawyered up until infinity through a hand-picked judiciary, and has gone along with the legal eagles for the defense of the impeachment of Trump. Now the foolish Roger Stone matter, the con w/the tattooed eagle on his back of Reagan. Oh shame, oh sham, oh what we have done in this matter that in many ways has reached the nadir of our nation's history and other acts of defamation.
Nixon not Reagan.
2
So Barr though if he does “ the sophisticated dance” and gives to Trump what Trump wants while still appearing somewhat independent it would be enough to survive as Attorney General. Well, what Barr should have deducted just from the recent employment records in Washington and White House is that Trump cares only about Trump and knows that there will always be another Barr waiting for the spotlight, imagining that he or she can manipulate Trump...
2
The tweets? Seriously?
Barr had no problem lying abut the Mueller report. He had no problem when he was involved in Trump's scheme to shakedown Ukraine. He had no problem changing Roger Stone's sentencing recommendation, effectively making the Justice Department Trump's KGB. He has no problem doing whatever Trump tells him to do.
But he's going to leave because Trump TWEETS about it? "Look, Boss, everyone knows I sold my soul to you. You don't have to announce it the world every time you pick up your phone."
Seriously?
Of course, there could be real friction between Trump and Barr, and Barr will eventually join the ranks of ex-Trump administration officials.
Or it cold be kabuki theater to try and ease some of the heat on Barr for what he's done.
4
Barr and Trump's codependent relationship is alarming on many levels that Times journalists seem to be ignoring. My anxiety rose as I read this (and other) NYT article(s) that normalize Trump's tweets, outlandish behavior, and flaunting of norms, by packaging them into neat little context free soundbites that fail to accurately report what's happening on the ground today. Trump's tweets are not linear, yet in Times articles they appear to be. They often contain outright lies and distortions that Times journalists fail to point out when inserting them into articles, like this one. Trump and his sycophants are actively undermining observable reality, rule of law, the Free Press, and the Constitution, and the NYT seems to be aiding and abetting them by playing the game of "objective journalism". If articles like this are the Times definition of serious journalism then the Fourth Estate is dead and American democracy is doomed.
5
So if Barr resigns, it will not be because he has realized he has abused the powers of his office by becoming the president's personal lawyer, but because he is irritated by his master's lack of consideration for his difficulty in serving him?
There is a name for this sort of thing: It is called Theater of the Absurd.
6
Get real. Barr is all in on the Trump GOP agenda and is, as far as DOJ, it’s #1 driver: A “ Justice Department on track to deliver several initiatives important to Mr. Trump, including an overhaul of the F.B.I., a criminal investigation into the origins of the Russia inquiry and a continuing leak investigation into James B. Comey, the former director of the F.B.I. “
Not to mention his interference on ANY current or future DOJ investigation regarding anyone linked to Trump’s interests.
Look what’s happened to the Gulliani investigation now having to be vetted by Barr and his minions to benefit Trump, or the now defunct Duetch bank money laundering investigation where the prosecutors suddenly didn’t even follow up with requested interviews! Guess when? Soon after Barr stepping in to his AG role. There are many more questions than answers regarding likely corrupt actions by this AG. He’s going nowhere other than tearing down any rule of law we have left.
2
I dislike Trump's overreaching as much as anyone, but the president is the chief law-enforcement officer of the United States. Perhaps we'll learn a lesson from all this: if someone runs for office, we don't elect him simply because we think he'll "drain the swamp." Using trite slogans isn't the same as trying to choose a president from an informed and logical mind. We should have learned that by now. If we haven't, then we are indeed a lost nation.
Would anyone trust Barr's hypocritical irritation at Trump's tweets and actions, after Barr has already lost his soul. I think its all just an act to deflect any attention from the evil corruption that is the Trump regime.
3
This is normal.
…
I think I shall begin to post those three simple words on every article involving Mr. Trump's latest idiocies.
2
Does anyone truly believe trump to be mentally healthy?
The 25th amendment is long overdue.
8
Mr. Barr doth protest too much, methinks.
He ain't going anywhere. He sold his soul to Trump long ago.
6
Thanks to the GOP enabling crew, there is no stopping this prince of petty.
3
Lame attempt to create disunity between Trump and Barr.. Barr resigning would be a good thing yes.. since he appears to be a quiet effective AG - and is now investigating a lot of Obama era maleficence... more to come .. sorry though Barr is not resigning ..I doubt he puts much weigh into what is written in this paper. or even reads it for that matter..
Barr is simply a modern day promoter of the big lie. Like all such promoters throughout history, the system he is helping to create will ultimately turn back on itself and consume him whole.
2
Irritation-schmirritation . . . This is the Administration of Lies under the Commander of Falsities. These claims of Barr (to call him a bad actor is being too kind) are only a cover. (More cover among the many cover-ups.) It's to sow doubt in the public, to feed the media, to keep honest people guessing while the criminality continues. The fact that about 40% of the population is fooled by, energized by—or is willfully complicit—with this man and his mob is a condemnation of America itself. Or, one could say: Sad.
1
So, talk about worst case scenarios. We have a man with no ethics, no morals, and neither any knowledge of nor any sense of the rule of law now declaring omnipotence over the laws of our nation. Is this a coup d’etat or something? Trump declaring himself in charge of our legal system is very similar to the French king who said l’etat cest moi...... I am the state. I can’t believe that we have lost our nation to Trump, and I don’t know that he can be stopped in his quest for absolute power. Are we going the way of Russia, North Korea, Venezuela, and Syria? This is a very bad situation, and the Senate is responsible for it. But don’t worry, he will usurp their authority soon, too. Can Bernie’s revolution help? God knows we need as much help as we can get.
4
Barr has spent most of his career arguing the case of massive presidential power. When he finally achieved his goal, he had to hand it off to...Donald Trump.
He's used to working with smarter, sneakier people who at least pay lip service to rule of law (then do what they want with a legal cover.)
I wonder how he feels about his efforts now that he has an uncontrollable manchild who think he IS the law in charge?
3
People wake up and take former President Obama’s advice: don’t let the lack of perfect interfere with the good.
That means:
Bernie supporters, support any other nominee if yours doesn’t get the nomination.
Warren supporters, a billionaire is better than a pretend billionaire dictator.
Gen X and Millenials, old nominees may represent the way things have always been done, but at least for the most part it was within the constitutional boundaries.
Pro-choicers, some limits are better than the risk of total limits.
3rd party voters, you need to vote for the greater good, in this case the ONLY good.
Women, you’ve all met jerks, you didn’t date or marry perfection, so don’t not vote or cast a 3rd party protest because of a slight.
Men, get over it and realize that we’d be a lot better off had there been a woman in the white house.
Republicans, get a soul.
Clean house this November...the White House, the Senate, the House AND your STATE HOUSES!
3
No were in the Constitution says that the President is the "Law of the Land" or the "Chief Law enforcer". What is next? "I am the Chief of the Supreme Court" so do what I say or get fired? Of course, all the Republican in the Senate will do nothing about it. We now have a dictator Banana Republic style. We must vote him out.
4
Trump is WAY out of bounds now. God help us if he is elected for another term. We as a nation need to learn from this, how dangerous it is to put a deranged, megalomaniac into the office of President.
His presidency deserves to be nullified and all that he has accomplished, made undone by determination that his election was helped by Russia.
4
This is play acting. Barr already went all in.
2
"Defense lawyers argue that juror misconduct led to an unfair trial." Here's the remedy: The judge polls the jurors. "Was there inappropriate coercion by the foreperson?" "No." No new trial. That was easy. However, the base will always consider the case tainted, and that poor poor Roger Stone was treated so unfairly he almost dropped his monocle.
2
We were warned, and all the signs were there that Trump would turn this country into an autocratic, fascist state. This is the result. And all the while, the rule of law gets obliterated, the Constitution shredded, and cabinet and GOP House and Senate members deeply in bed with the most corrupt, mendacious and felonious president in American history. Somehow we deserve this fate; we let it happen. RIP USA.
2
find this "irritation" hard to believe.
1
Don't believe anything Trump and his enablers say, as they have all proven to be liars. This was discussed when Trump first took office...if something really did happen who believe. In my opinion, both Barr and Trump orchestrated this thus playing good cop, bad cop.
2
This is party Barr's fault, if not mostly. And NOW he's upset?
Please.
2
i'm sorry but i think barr is full of it. he's not going to quit because he agrees with trump. we have seen him running around eastern europe doing his master's bidding. he is as morally corrupt as the commander in chief. and twice as cynical...excuse me but this is just nonsense...
2
Did not Barr give the executive branch carte blanche in his writings? It is preposterous to believe that Barr is at all disturbed by this. Alan Dershowitz will back him up.
2
My Haiku for Today:
Barr works behind Trump
One fine day some hope to see
trump behind some bars
3
It is not a good feeling being Roy Cohen!
1
Well, perhaps it's a good thing John Gotti has past this existence.
1
"Barr's Irritation Builds"...balderdash, Barr is the problem, this is just a leak from Barr's people to keep from being told to resign/and/or be impeached. I believe nothing coming from this administration. Nothing at all. Vote blue 2020.
5
Wow, if you REALLY think Trump and Barr aren't working together, and that Barr is really and truly annoyed, I've got a bridge I'd like to sell you.
3
Whether Barr disgraced his legacy or is finally showing his true face, he'll go down in history as nothing more that a real estate swindlers boy.
3
Pelosi has it wrong,.... sorta. All roads now lead to Putin. The road was paid by FOX. Foreign oligarchs setting up TV stations wrapped in the flag. America is for sell. Citizens United has made it so! Welcome (money) comrades! That's Trump's business, immigration and trade policy. What could go wrong! Barr will get rid of all Oligarch cases. We'll find out....after the election.
2
Just goes to show you, there cannot be two kings in one swamp.
4
Read the transcript!
Stone’s lawyers had a chance to use a peremptory change, or to move to strike the juror for cause. Stone’s lawyers did neither. That’s a waiver.
Note: no one is claiming the forewoman lied or misstated her pedigree. Just the opposite. It was known that she was a Democrat and former federal employee. Stone’s lawyers should have searched her social media before they seated this juror.
Result? Game over for Stone.
Prediction? Judge Jackson will make the point that the Court is not to be sullied or attacked by Trump/Barr by imposing a sentence of greater than 7-9 years. A lesser sentence will send up a white flag confirming that a federal court can be bullied and intimidated into handing out candy to Trump’s minions. That day can never occur unless this country is prepared to become a fascist state. We’ll know tomorrow.
25
Barr to give press conference: "He did it. He did all of it. Yes, it was impeachable. Yes, I lied. I lied every time I spoke, for years. Just someone save my soul!"
10
Barr doesn't mind doing the bidding of Trump when it's his own decision but publically being outed & humiliated as Trump's lapdog doesn't fly. Furthermore, when his authority as the chief officer of the DOJ, enforcing federal laws and heading federal penal institutions is undermined or usurped publically by Trump it seems his arrogant ego is more than offended. Barr firmly believes he's the law of the land but wants to accomplish his acts against democracy on the down-low. He also knows that Trump would be hard-pressed to find another evil clone to carry out their like-minded corrupt operations. With Trump's tweets outing him, the petition signed by 2000 former DOJ officials requesting his resignation and another statement by Federal judges coming today, Barr may finally be realizing that his reckless, despotic behavior may finally be catching up to him and could (with God's grace) be his undoing.
13
If it wasn't so hurtful to everyone in this nation, and perhaps the entire world, I'd be prone to laughing at Barr who now has seen the monster which he helped to create.
15
Trump’s message to be the final say in the law of the land should send shudders down the spines of every American. He is announcing that he is a dictator or a Monarch without declaring out loud that is what he is.
20
Reading the arrogant Trump's tweets makes my blood boil. He has no clue how angry he is making some voters. I'll be off to early voting today. This little note of mine is simply letting the president know that not a single vote of mine or anyone else in my family's, including my extended family, will go to a Republican this year. As a matter of fact, I know quite a lot of steady, reliable voters, and none of them - not one - are planning on voting for the president or his party this year. I certainly hope the majority of the country joins us in expressing our anger and displeasure at this poor excuse for a political party and its pied piper.
23
It is refreshing to see DJT’s enablers get burned by the very same evil they have created.
And he will not stop.... he cannot. He is DJT.
Its becoming obvious to anyone paying attention that next it will be high ranking members within the GOP.
Watch out mitch!
And putin laughs...
18
There's nothing to consider. Either Barr is a willful stooge or he isn't. Actions speak louder than words and so far all of his actions indicate that he will simply do Trump's bidding no matter how nefarious. Resigning is the only way he can prove that wrong.
11
Your headline should read, "As Trump Claims to Be Law of the Land, Barr Claims His Irritation Builds While He Continues Acting As Trump's Personal Fixer And Vendetta Weapon"
14
I don't believe Barr for one second. If he ever DOES something to warrant belief or trust, then I'll consider it. Until then, he and they are all scam artists.
14
Twitter needs to go.
10
What good would it do to recall Barr? Toady that he is, what will possibly follow?
2
Senator Graham waits in the wings; ready for my close-up, DT.
8
Is Barr really complaining about all this? His whole legal schtick is that the President is a figure of infinite, unchecked, unbalanced power. I can only assume that Barr agrees in Trump’s absolute dominance over the entire Justice Department, and I expect he will follow Trump’s orders to begin impeachment of every Federal Judge who Trump dislikes.
8
No one should cry a tear or give any sympathy for how tough Barr's job is. He helped create this monster (Trump) by giving him carte blanche to run roughshod over the agency he's supposed to run. You appease a wannabe dictator, you get the consequences.
11
Well well. Billy Barr has been working hard to plump up the powers of the Executive Branch. His "application" letter for his current job more or less promised Trump he could do what he now is doing. Don't complain about the heat after you lit the fire, failed lapdog.
11
We are now officially a banana republic and the fault lies entirely with the republic party. With Mitch McConnell at the helm and a plethora of sycophants lined up behind him, they have enabled the most corrupt administration to ever serve in the White House to take the law into their own hands for their own selfish purposes. If these senators fancy themselves patriotic Americans, they are very deluded. They had their opportunity to do the right thing and they flinched. They are traitors pure and simple.
10
Oh, please. If Barr was doing something that tiny trump REALLY didn’t like, he would have been fired faster than you can say “Jeffrey Epstein “.
7
This show would be better if Barr would adopt full on Kabuki garb and makeup.
8
A hollow man, consumed with hatred, daily attacks, smear & name calling campaigns, say-anything lies, giddy with his own self glory, but with constant paranoia about losing. An obsessively tweeting, compulsively doling out retribution to all his “enemies” for perceived slights and differing opinions, to any Obama or Comey related perception.
This is YOUR President America, a dangerously sick man, a pathetic leader, destroying the fabric that hold us all together, and it’s degrading by the day.
Vote BLUE
15
"Barr’s Irritation Builds"
NYT and others in the media have got to stop falling for this charade. You are being played. Barr cares no more for rule of law or democracy than Trump does. Look at his actions, not rumors or his words. While you guys allow yourselves to be taken...yet again...by this manipulation, you are at least partially complicit in allowing the nation to slide inexorably into authoritarianism.
6
"Barr’s Irritation Builds"
And how do you know this? Maybe Barr *says* he is irritated or intimates that he is but can you think of a single reason to believe him based upon his record? Given that Barr is a weasel-wording lawyer and a Trump sycophant and a long-time believer in the unbounded power of the presidency, I'll require a *lot* more proof of any incipient irritation. Maybe the immediate seizure and release of Trump's business and tax records and the of stack of "privileged" information he holds to all and sundry who are seeking them would be a good start.
5
Are we to believe Barr was really that naive when he sought the job in the first place?
3
People act surprised that the Republican party has come to this. News Flash... this is the very epitome of what they have always dreamed of... a grip on the country's wealth, white power, fascist rule, open season on minorities and women's rights, immigrants and people of other faiths, unobstructed agencies to exact their will. This is nothing new... this is the way it's been trending for 40 years
8
Better watch it, Trump. You wouldn't want to force Barr to express "concerns," now would you?
2
At some point Bill Barr may realize, that as far as Trump is concerned, he is ultimately expendable. Trump does not like to be told to stand down by anyone in his employ, no matter how experienced. To quote the legendary, and notoriously corrupt, former mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey:
"Here is the law! I am the law!"
~~ Frank Hague - November 10, 1937
2
So, Barr should resign, immediately! Thereafter, he should be disbarred!
9
My, how the worm turns. Big daddy Bush used Willie Horton as a racial weapon in the 1988 campaign and that helped sink Dukakis. Now, we have a president who gleefully pardons drug dealers and other felons and puts them back on the street. And it's no big deal because, guess what, they're white.
9
I believe absolutely nothing that Trump or Barr assert at this time. Nor do I trust Pompeo, Mulvaney, DeVos, Wheeler, Mnuchin, Perdue, Chao, Lighthizer, Pence or Trump's kids to speak truthfully and with patriotic intent.
And I mean this literally. They are mendacious traitors. Incredible the damage that could be done in three years.
11
Every week Trump commits a new outrage. The Justice Department should be apolitical, dispensing justice fairly, not on the basis of party affiliation. Trump is reversing this practice, once seen to be essential to a credible justice system.
Is this part of a conscious plan to replace America's democracy with an autocracy? It scarcely matters. It is a further step toward the dissolution of democracy as we have known it in the past.
The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh played into Trump's strategy for defense against his own crimes.
In the past, confirmation to the Supreme Court was about positions on abortion. But feminists saw an advantage in pushing an alternate narrative. The accusation that Kavanaugh has engaged in "attempted rape" in high school 35 years ago was perfectly polarizing. Since it had occurred so long ago, corroborating evidence had vanished, and the charge was impossible to prove or disprove
The stakes were high. Democrats were following Trump in exactly a terrible price for being on the Republican of the partisan divide.
When they voted along party lines to convict, the Senators essentially seemed to say that facts don't matter, only party affiliation, when a political figure is accused of rape.
It was then a foregone conclusion that Senators would vote along party lines in Trump's own impeachment trial.
Many in the middle look at the Kavanaugh case and worry that Democrats have abandoned due process in their march ever leftward.
@T Morris
You are right about there being no hue and cry about Trump’s politicization of the Justice Department. I think it’s because many people don’t know what’s going on, or are misinformed by the Fox machine, or lack the basic education in civics and history understand what’s happening. Also, people think it is irrelevant to their lives. This is how democracy dies, or in our case, already has. We are now an oligarchy, in spite of having preserved, so far, many of the trappings of democracy. For example, just consider the Bloomberg candidacy, a stunning example of oligarchy at work.
3
Mr. Barr may well believe in extending Executive power, but perhaps he's beginning to realize that this particular President is the wrong place to start.
3
As long as the Republicans control the Senate, he IS the "law of the land". I hope they all land in the place they deserve: eternal infamy.
As we focus most of our attention on who can best beat Trump, the surest way to win control of Congress. On that, we should all be able to agree.
6
Had the Republican Senate grown a spine by the end of the impeachment trial, this would not be happening right now. Everything this president does can now be blamed on them.
5
@Bob
True that - no denying now that they will always be married to 45 and his "legacy." No divorce allowed.
1
"(Mr. Barr) doth protest too much, methinks". Mr. Barr does not have the integrity of the prosecutors who resigned over his interference in Stone's sentencing. He might get booted out of office by 45, but he won't resign. At any rate, this was all probably orchestrated to give Barr cover from criticism for being 45's toady.
45 has now declared in effect "he is the law of the land" as the column states, and in de facto, he is. He has not been held accountable for one single thing he has done, He continues to run the country as a personal business, doling out clemency and punishing his perceived enemies, like some Mafia godfather. Subpoenas can be ignored as well as the Constitution.
With Barr and Mitch McConnell in control of the Justice Department and the Senate, respectively, and 45 unbound by any constraints, we are already an authoritarian state. Corruption is out in the open, and becoming the norm. Our intelligence agencies are now in danger of becoming information gathering bureaus for 45's own personal use (if they aren't already), and Barr has already shown he will acquiesce to whatever 45 wants him to do.
If a Democrat is elected President (please God), even if McConnell remains in control of the Senate, at least Barr would be out at the Justice Department.
9
Given Barr's extremist notions about Rule of Law and the Constitution, he might actually be annoyed with Trump, but who can know for sure? Unless Barr actually resigns, this conflict between Barr and Trump is for public show and means nothing.
7
Ever so slowly, we move closer to an autocracy. The Republicans have always been corrupt, but in the past they’ve pretended to stand up for law and order. Now they can comfortably take the mask off given the support they have from people who care nothing about ethics or morals. Draining the swamp was always about getting rid of those who hold us all accountable. This is what happens when you elect an amoral man. The path ahead will only deteriorate. Please use extreme caution.
8
Couldn’t agree more. Slippery slope is turning into a waterfall.
4
Come now, people.
The Trump/Barr "dispute" is pure theater. Barr has been Trumpian far longer than Trump has been Trumpian. In Trump, Barr has found a kindred spirit and an engine to accelerate and exacerbate the damage already caused by Trump. Some have argued that Barr should bail now to retain whatever remains of his tattered reputation. Barr has no reputation to retain. Some have reminded Barr of the ETTD maxim. Barr's ethics and morality were withered even before he became AG.
So, repeat after me. Trump/Barr is theater. Don't be gulled by these vile conmen.
10
Irritation, the formal resignation of the compromised man.
4
Hasn't it occurred to anyone who is urging Barr's resignation that whoever replaces him will be much worse???
Wasn't that the sound of the bus tires rolling over something in the road?
3
Donald J. Trump has demonstrated by his behavior that he is not only aggressively mean-spirited, but a certifiable lunatic, unable to do the job of President of the United States as established by the Constitution and law of the land.
Unfortunately the 25th Amendment will not be invoked because Trump has peopled the agencies of the federal government with his cronies and lackeys, and because there are 51 spineless Republican senators controlled by Trump’s partner-in-crime, Mitch McConnell.
These are dark times.
13
Barr sold his soul. I don't trust him or have any sympathy no matter what happens to him.
9
This is orchestrated nonsense being promoted by the White House and Barr to lure the news media into reporting on this alleged "rift" and not all the other big damage trump and Barr are inflicting on the country - pardoning criminals for example. The American public does not buy this "rift" between the two autocrats and we are quite aware that this is a deflection tactic.
6
Mr. Barr, The King Has Spoken!!!
I don't understand how Barr could be possibly be upset with a president who so perfectly exemplifies his own personal beliefs about the supreme power of the executive. Then again, this kind of deeply rooted hypocrisy is the hallmark of all modern Republicans isn't it? e.g. The party of law and order that feels that laws should only apply to others - never themselves.
Wasn't Dr. Frankenstein destroyed by his own creation? The answer is yes, he was. But, unlike modern Republicans, Dr. Frankenstein's was not driven solely by unbridled, self-serving greed.
5
I am not at all surprised in the reign of "King" Trump. Anything is possible. Hope this lasts only until November elections.
7
Whether Barr's frustration is real or feigned makes no difference. He is corrupt and should resign or be removed from office. That he is not as corrupt as Trump is immaterial and, in any case, merely a matter if opinion. He is a lot smarter than Trump and knows to a greater degree that what he is doing is wrong. One definition of bad faith: It was wrong; you knew it was wrong; you did it anyway. By that definition, Barr is at least as corrupt as Trump. Possibly more so.
7
So far Mr. Barr has been all hat, no cattle in voicing his displeasure with his boss. Sotto voce does not count as criticism.
5
As I recall, Trumps power to commit crimes while in office, without being held accountable, comes from a Justice Department memo written by one man or possibly a few, and never ratified by the states. How has this memo become the supreme law of the land “Trumping” our Constitution and everything we know to be true of our rights established therein?
If we are murdered by our President, we have a Constitutional right to have our murder investigated and the President tried and removed from office by a trial with witness testimony. But according to the Justice Department memo, if we are murdered by our President we have no recourse, our deaths cannot even be investigated, a President is not accountable to anyone—and certainly not by officials elected by the opposing party. Our Constitution has been voided by a memo in the Justice Department and we are now seeing Republicans argue we are under its power, not the Constitution. The Republicans have destroyed the Constitution and are defending its destruction and the authority of a department memo while the Democrats still believe they are ruled by the US Constitution.
We are now one country, divided and ruled by two laws with completely separate principles: the Democrats bound by the US Constitution paid for with our ancestors blood which freed us from monarchy and the Republicans ruling by a Justice Department memo created from the sweat of a criminal hand making us a monarchy again with one stroke of a pen.
463
@Color Me Purple This is a truly beautiful post!
38
@Color Me Purple
Precisely. And the one man who made this ridiculous non-rule up is now pretending he's annoyed that tRump won't let him facilitate the crimes without tweeting about it in public.
Each day we are in a far more dangerous place than the day before.
45
@Color Me Purple Now you'll be accused of "Trump Derangement Syndrome" because you fail to see what a benevolent ruler Trump has been and we owe him everything including our lives and our children's lives thanks to COAL.
41
Barr is an amoral opportunist and sycophant of the first order. Bill will stick with his benefactor Trump until the ship sinks.
7
Barr is a hypocrite. If he has the integrity, he should quit. His behavior during Trump impeachment and Mueller inquiry shows he has no integrity. Leaking to media that he is “considering quitting” creates some headlines, but has no substance.
Take a leaf from Nikki Haley’s book. If you can stay in the administration, do your job as well aa you can. If you cannot, leave properly.
6
Oh, please. You don't "threaten to quit" in the newspaper. You quit. Barr is as much a fraud as Trump.
12
Barr is in a horrible place, between a rock and and a bone head.
6
Oooh. Scary. William Barr is "irritated" at Trump. That translates to a whole lot of nothing. Will anyone in this administration ever stand up to this wanna be dictator?
5
Well, in fact, presidents are in charge of the justice department and all other executive branch departments. The president may not be able to write a legal brief or file court papers, but they are the attorney general's boss.
We have a government run by elected officials. Else, we end up with unaccountable bureaucrats and fiefdoms in our government. Things get bad enough under elected officials, but having no accountability is worse.
The best example of a justice department official who was seen as untouchable by elected officials was J. Edgar Hoover.
Be careful what you wish for.
1
The rule of law verse the rule of who has the power to make the law work for them.
Lincoln’s revised Gettysburg message (from beyond):
Twelve score and 2 years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, "conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal”.
With the (questionable) election of a despot (trump), now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war between “critical thinking” and a nation whose minds are polluted with lies and corruption by the highest level of leadership. Lest we forget the lives that were lost on both sides in fulfillment of a nation’s dream. We come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live.
It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
“conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal”.
5
Barr has enabled Trump to become the autocrat he always wanted to be. But the Constitution specifically does not condone autocracy. How will the Republicans in Congress undo now their grave error of letting Donald Trump think he possesses more power than is granted to the POTUS by law.
7
Putin must have something very big on Trump There's no other way to explain his constant and wide spread attack on the nation's civic infrastructure of trust and cooperation.
8
“Social media for me has been very important because it gives me a voice, because I don’t get that voice in the press.”
Sure, because the media tends to expect facts which Trump pretends to ignore.
8
If the president is not the chief law enforcement officer in the US government then who is? And who does that chief law enforcement officer ultimately work for?
@It isn't working
The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer and he works for the People of the United States of America....not the president.
7
@It isn't working
If the Commissioner of Baseball can't play 3rd base for the Yankees, who can?
1
@Kevin Banker
What a ridiculous analogy.
His majesty is out for revenge. His base cheers him on at every turn because he inflicts fear among the 'right' people.
He leads a merry band of sycophants who fear any alternative to power and money his majesty claims.
There is no turning back. We may never have another election as his majesty continues to have his way and uses the constitution after use of his golden throne.
Allow me to suggest, his majesty has no manners, morals, or sense of decency, never has and never will. Just ask his tax accountants.
8
Barr was clearly given this job to cover the president's corruption. Anyone who does not see that is willfully blind. Let us consider what this president has done so far. Invited Russian meddling (34 indicted), extorted Ukraine for political favors and got impeached for it, Tump University scandal (25M settlement), Trump's sister resigned federal judgeship to cover family tax evasion, Trump personal fixer in jail, Hush money payments, Trump Charity closed in self dealing scandal and promises of donations never given. Multiple allegations of illegal foreign donations to his campaign and inauguration. Then there is the issue of him using our hard earned tax payer dollars to line his pockets (diverting military flights to his resort and multiple golf trips). So many revelations, so many fines, so indictments. There is a LOT of work for Barr. I'd say I wish him luck, but I do not. He is breaking our country in the worst way possible.
8
The Republic's foundations are shaking, and America is watching its 401k accounts. America for sale.
5
Barr is irritated, allegedly. Does that make him a better person or a more ethical attorney general? Who cares if he's irritated?
I get irritated every day: litter, noisy Fresh Direct trucks, unnecessary sirens, let me count the ways. So what?
2
if social media enables Trump, then why can't those sites ban him?
4
If Barr is considering resigning, is he merely waiting for another outrage from Trump?
If not now, when? No time like the present, etc., etc., etc.
4
So to my state of Ohio’s Senator Portman, and also Senator Collins et al, who thought that trump learned his lesson from the impeachment hearing. Do you wish you had your vote back? Do you want to be able to look your grandchildren in the eye someday?
6
We are *SO* "flooded". He's just getting warmed up.
3
How discouraging. After all that our country has been through.
All those that died for her.
Tears, now that old glory's field of stars, has been replaced by a banana.
5
It’s time reporters start asking President Trump if he thinks he has the right to convict and sentence the accused, of his choosing, in his new role as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of The United States of America. 
2
@Christian V. Child If asked, he would say that he has the absolute right to do so, but he chooses not to. Because he's such a decent guy.
So, is he declaring himself King come November, maybe trying to convince his armed, insane posse that he deserves to be Ruler for Life?
Anyone else think such insanity may in fact be Trump's Reality?
6
Trump basically just declared himself dictator. Barr is not going to resign, this is exactly what he signed up for.
6
If given a second term, Trump would show Americans how a dictator can arise through a “democratic process” — to Putin’s delight. The republicans are spineless and complicit.
9
Even Trump's most trusted accomplice is upset - and the would-be king of America still refuses to "get it." King Donnie, this is your court! (Pun ruefully intended.) Shouldn't that be enough to give pause to even the most ardent supporters of the occupier of the White House? Obviously, not yet.
Barr can resign, no problem. He’s already got more toadies lining up for the job. Why do you think he pardoned Blago?
3
Maybe we should just be done with it and re-title the office Exalted High Muckety Muck. That should cover everything.
3
Trump is what Trump does but he is not the problem. The cowardly failure of republican congress members to stand up to this administrations transgressions is to blame here. The pendulum will swing back the other way eventually. Then, of course, today’s enablers and boot lickers will scream and bemoan the further decay of the institutions that is now turning against them.
7
Seems like a strategy, a ruse, to make us believe that Barr is functioning independently.
Two clowns among many. I believe that RIngling Bro’s is no longer. Too bad for them. They would have had a future - Trump, Barr and all of their cronies emerging from the tiny clown car.
1
If this White House occupant succeeds in taking over the Justice Department prosecutions, will we have an unopposed dictator in chief? Is he setting up a re-election bid that endorses him the “supreme law of the land”?
1
'This time I really, really mean it, I'll quit, I will!'
3
Barr gives Catholics a bad name. But he can redeem himself by resigning.
1
We no longer need a Department of Justice, as the imPEACHed one is leading the fight against (some) injustices.
In fact, let's get rid of all justices, as he has enough time between rounds of golf to be judge, jury and executioner.
A very sad day for democracy. A great day for the newest banana republic.
1
Typical of Trump's reign, this article shows once again, no one really knows what is true, what is not.
Are Trump and Barr having a fight? Or are they staging this as a PR stunt to invest Barr with a feigned integrity? Is this truly Barr's red line in the sand?
Even if Barr were to leave, who is Trump's next appointee? The succession of official removals and re-hirings only indicates someone even more obsequious and slimy would be named AG.
As for Barr, if--incredible to think--he really were having some enlightened flickerings of morality and thoughts of resignation, his partisan, vile, destructive disruption of the Justice Department have sealed his reputation for eternity. There is no light for him here.
360
@CBK It would probably be Giuliani and our descent into chaos and lawlessness as well as revenge prosecutions and investigations would be complete.
11
Think like this: Everything the Trump administration does is to manipulate.
Donny a man who lost Billions, who went Bankrupt several times is a master at marketing.
Barr does not want to be removed by the judge association.
Yes, they have that power.
So he says I'm quitting thinking they would back off.
9
Trump wants Barr to resign so he himself can be attorney general. This is the scheme that is congealing in the Trump brain right now. Will Republicans go along? They may wish that they had voted to convict him in the Senate trial after this plays out.
5
Honestly, I can't decide if Barr retiring would be a good or bad thing. Trump's gone with bad (Sessions) to worse already. Who will be the next AG? I think we all know it will be Giuliani.
2
Unless reporters know a lot more than they are able to write about publicly, there is a lot of conjecture here about what Barr is thinking. I'd be careful about that.
3
Simple solution, both of them need to GO!
8
What you see is what there is. Trump is shallow and he never thinks through what he does. Barr really is unhappy with Trump’s behavior.
Resign.Try to salvage what is left of your reputation. Not much , but it will be a good moment and maybe what you will be remembered for. Stay and you are further deep in Trump swamp.
6
"Defying Mr. Barr’s pleas". Barr hardly pleaded with Trump. He made a statement that was ridiculous and unbelievable at best.
6
The pardons he has issued are so see through, it is just sickening.
The first bunch are because he is delusional, has always flouted the law, and has always managed to come out the other side. Therefore these people have only done the same things that Trump has done himself, and since he doesn't feel himself capable of doing anything wrong, they haven't done anything wrong either.
The second bunch, which are people who don't travel in the same circles has Trump does, seem to be people he somehow chose just to pander to the African American vote. I can't imagine that our citizens will be taken in by that after the whole "fine people on both sides" debacle. The man is an out and out racist.
2
Hmm, funny, I think I remember Adam Schiff warning us about something like this.
14
Well, let me out it this way. Even if Barr is being honest - which I strongly doubt - my sympathy for him is extremely limited.
When you let yourself be instrumentalized like Barr has done.
When you toss any scruples you may have had out the window to serve a lord and master like Trump.
When you use all the methods at your disposal to bypass the legal system you are meant to represent and protect.
When you willingly and knowingly allow your subordinates to be attacked and demolished by said lord and master, with no protection of any kind from you, you ar eabusing the constitution you are supposed to uphold.
Mr Barr: you are unworthy of the position you hold.
The only sad things is: whoever replaces you will be certain to have less backbone, less scruples and be even less suited for the task.
Sad times.
322
@Don F
Neither Barr nor any other Trump associate deserves any sympathy. Only the rest of us do. And we haven’t seen the worst yet. Fully expect Trump to ignore the Supreme Court (like his favorite President, Andrew Jackson did, who btw was also barely literate). Trump doesn’t need cabinet members or acting department heads. He will take it ALL over and do what he wants because Senate Republicans and Trumpers everywhere will let him. We can and will stop him though at some point. I’m mostly confident about that anyway. Good does usually prevail. It can just take awhile and requires courage.
12
Mr. Trump is playing a dangerous, self-serving power game to vindicate his fragile but severely damaged ego. He is forever impeached in the history books, and to this limelight-seeking, grandiose man, it is driving him nuts. So he is getting even, as he so often does when he messes up and fails--as he so often does.
Like the "Emperor's New Clothes," it is clear for all to see that President Trump is now out of control, flying much too close to the sun, and taking law, order, human decency and our country with him. He is daring anyone to stop him.
Lots of flags on the play, Republican leaders, right-wing media, and big GOP donors. How much longer are you going to allow this Trump spectacle and wreckage to continue? When societal norms, laws, justice, and truth are gone, then what? Or are you all just a bunch of corrupt referees on the take?
26
Trump’s abuse of power continues unchecked. We have the cowardly Republicans in the Senate to thank for this. Unless the voters kick this would-be dictator out of office by an overwhelming majority, we can kiss our democracy goodbye. Every day he’s in office, our system of checks and balances erodes. Soon it will exist only on paper. The U.S. will become one more two-bit autocratic failed state.
13
@Ice_9 Just remember that Mussolini stayed in power for 25 years. Yes, he ended up hanging from a lamp post, but he took a long time to get there.
2
You saw the tiger, Barr. You saw how hungry it was, how it kept attacking the bars when people got near it.
So why did you unlock its cage?
6
Sometimes I roll my eyes at your naive headlines. Really? NOW you believe Barr? What in his past actions has given him a 'gimme' from fact-checking and healthy skepticism. You are losing me, NYT...
7
Mr. Barr's "pleas" are nonsense. Did Trump send vindictive emails to his Twitter followers after Barr's comments?? NO! Seems to me that Barr is doing exactly what Trump wants. Both of them should have been impeached and removed from office. Now Trump is pardoning and commuting sentences of criminals just like him. I'm disgusted with Trump and his Republican Senate cronies.
14
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Ha! Barr and Trump are a matched set--these two absolutely deserve each other, and prove the old adage that when you lay down with dogs, you wake up with fleas.
3
it is just a ploy to do more damage to the country by both Mr. Barr and Mr. Trump to fool the country and the people.
4
How's that expanded view of presidential powers working for you Mr. Barr?
4
I know, I know! It will "only get his back up"
1
Look Barr has as much chance of resigning as a Capo has of quitting the mob.
8
When I step back and take in the big picture...I increasingly see that Trump is not new. What he does has been done for a long time. But Trump has shined a light on how the elite live and conduct themselves. Showing that wealth and power live by an entirely different set of rules and laws. Trump has forced it all into the open without apology. That is primarily what has changed. The great American beliefs in justice, equality and opportunity are myths or museum pieces unless you are part of the elite club.
8
Barr couldn't be happier and isn't going anywhere.
4
There is no one courageous enough to inhibit Trump’s most impulsive, illegal and unethical abuses. His circle of sycophants is merely wringing their hands and witlessly enabling this monster. And Barr has the intellectual understanding of the disastrous implications of this regime, yet he’ll never resign, never stand up for the rule of law and never defend his department. It actually makes him more culpable than the despotic idiot himself.
Our country is in the greatest peril during my lifetime.
8
Waiting for trump to pardon the Astros.
12
@Robert Perez That's really brilliant! Nice going!!
Trump breaks laws at will, so he's top cop?
Eats near-food so he's...Top Chef?
Gropes nearby women and is truly sick so he's...Chief Medical Examiner?
Lunacy.
7
Bad cop + good cop = two bad cops.
6
Should we start saying King Donald I?
2
Republicans, clean up your mess. You enabled this dictator, now you must reign him in.
They won't. The Republican Party is now the Koch Party.
8
Not a murmur from the GOP. Are they dead, or just resting?
13
Trump's recent actions of direct interference in our justice system is indeed extremely worrisome. However, I also find that this whole Roger Stone situation comical in how it exposed the incompetence of the Stone defense team and, once again, Trump blatant ignorance.
Because of the high political nature of this trial, all the potential jurors were given written questionnaires to complete prior to the selection process. They were then questioned by attorneys on both sides to determine whether or not any had preconceived notions or other views that would bias them one way or another. Only after completing the questionnaire and undergoing the questioning by both sides, were the jurors selected and each juror had to be approved by both sides. Stone's lawyers were supposed to be very experienced trial lawyers and, as such, should have had plenty of experience in the juror selection process. But somehow they let a juror slip past them whose biases were so strong that she was able to convince her peers of the guilt of their client. In other words, they are arguing that Stone deserves a new trial because they could not do due diligence in researching the backgrounds of the potential jurors, especially one that they know ahead of time had run for a local political office and because they were too incompetent to catch such a bias during the juror interview process.
Finally, had Trump ever actually served on a jury, he would have seen first-hand this selection process.
8
This is political theatre, plain and simple. Barr and Trump are working hand-in-hand is to create the illusion of space between each other to serve as a distraction, as the GOP solidifies the hold on all three branches of government.
16
Once again, Trump proves that he is not a friend to law enforcement. Oh sure, he says nice things abut them from time to time, more than you ever heard from Obama or Clinton, but what has he really done to help improve the jobs and lives of those in law enforcement. He has emboldened the white nationalists who want nothing more than to create another civil war in this country, and who continually seek to repress anyone who doesn't support their cause. Trump has made the job of police officers more difficult by stamping on the rights of minorities and immigrants who were already in this country alike. Yes, we needed to do something about the flow of immigrants into this country illegally but he took it to extremes, and in the process has made policing in those communities much more difficult. Now, he frees friends who were successfully prosecuted for their crimes, mainly crimes of greed, that Trump holds near and dear to his heart. Trump is not a friend of law enforcement.
2
Americans ought to start surrounding and blockading their GOP representatives' offices and vociferously express their displeasure.
7
With President Trump declaring that he is the 'chief law enforcement officer,' we're seeing megalomania unleashed in the Executive branch on an unprecedented scale.
If re-elected, Mr. Trump, unfettered, will go on a full rampage for four years, and more, because he won't wait for his innauguration to start wreaking havoc. And if he loses the election, he might well give himself some kind of emgerency power to remain in office.
He wants to attack more than just the so-called 'deep state,' he wants to go after the foundations of the Republic.
A surprising number in the populous must find this kind of behavior appealing, because I fail to hear any broadly based hew and cry to stop it.
8
Mr Barr has a ideology which places power in the hands of the executive, above all other, supposedly equal branches of our government. That seems counter to everything I understand about my country, but maybe his point is there can only be one captain of a ship. Well right now he is learning what is wrong with his thinking. Maybe an exemplary person could hold this power, for good. But a incapable person In power is what we have now. In the end you either believe the people have the power, or you believe the people need a ruler. Mr Barr is now the enabler of previously inconceivable acts of executive behavior. God help us.
6
Barr, McConnell, and all the congressional GOP, except Romney, have enabled rather than controlled Trump at every turn. Trump now believes he does have the authority to do as he pleases. Worse yet, his supporters have been conned into believing it as well, thanks to the conservative media (Fox and various right wing supporters) which helpfully constantly presents the Trump/GOP propaganda as to why Trump’s behavior is ok. It would be amusing to see Barr suffer under the situation he’s made for himself if it didn’t also involve the destruction of our country. Putin must be so pleased with the havoc that has been wrought by his interference.
3
Is there any point at which Twitter will cut off this out-of-control, power-hungry megalomaniac that is a danger to our nation? I suppose not. All they care about are clicks and bucks.
7
Assuming Barr is sincere about this — he brought it on himself when he repeatedly stated that the presidency was more powerful than the other two branches of government, despite what the Constitution says...assuming
his sincerity, which is questionable.
1
Trump tramples on the ego of anyone taking attention away from Trump. Whether one agrees with Barr or not, Trump has most surely benefited from him, and apparently now after Barr has squashed two historical attacks on Trump's presidency does Barr seem to grasp this. Barr appears to have become fearful that Trump will cause him to become just another forgotten minion of Trump's "genius" and not remembered for the legacy Barr sought as the lawyer that forever changed presidential power. Barr obviously saw the opportunity with Trump but not the repercussions - does anyone?
Clearly Donald Trump has decided to become an autocratic dictator rather than a president. It is therefore the responsibility of every American to stop him and his accomplices by ANY legal means possible!
5
Excellent example of unintended consequences. All of the conservative geniuses over the years with their great theories, trickledown, neoconservativism, nation building, and now the supreme executive. It only through extreme luck that Trump hasn’t killed us all.
2
The problem for AG Barr is that President Trump is too blunt and therefore making harder for AG Barr to protect Trump and his friends. After all, Barr and Trump agree that the Presidency should be above Congress. In other words an Imperial Presidency or an absolute monarch above the law.
Two things:
1) Bill Barr is probably not frustrated that Trump is interfering; rather, he is frustrated that Trump is crowing about the corruption.
2) If Barr is frustrated at Trump, it is hypocritical. Barr has a long history of supporting a strong executive branch, frequently saying that the POTUS has vast constitutional power. Why would he be frustrated that Trump is just doing what Barr has long advocated?
3
Well, we are only a couple of steps away from having to address MrTrump as our “Beloved Supreme Leader”
There is so much danger lurking under the surface.
Does this president really represent us?
2
William Barr will, forever, foremost be remembered as an enabler and sycophant of Donald Trump. Interesting choice of legacy, William; you let yourself get played.
6
“Social media for me has been very important because it gives me a voice, because I don’t get that voice in the press,” he [Mr. Trump] said. “In the media, I don’t get that voice. So I’m allowed to have a voice.”
Holy Moley! If the capitalist, corporate media didn't slavishly report his every guttural utterance to attract clicks, ad revenue and profit, he wouldn't be president!
1
The silence from the Republican leadership is deafening.
10
Well, well. Barr is getting some of that disrespect he passed around so freely to the people underneath him and he doesn't like it. Cry me a river, Mr. Barr, and ask yourself what does a person have to do to regain integrity.
4
look away...it's just more scripted theater type to keep the maga hats engaged...and the rest of us confused and distracted...
1
Voters were hoodwinked into "electing" a dictator. They must be really pleased since they clearly want to add to his tenure.
1
I suspect that Barr is either lying through his teeth -- or else he's started missing his soul, which he gave to trump to use as a seat cushion.
5
Donald tarnishes everyone he has contact with. Ask his ex-wives, his current wife, his associates, his contractors, his employees, his administration appointees, his escorts, his attorneys, and yes, the American people.
4
@Doug Thompson Didn't they used to call that the reverse Midas touch?
2
"Barr’s Irritation Builds"?
A weirdly faux headline...
Barr has enabled Trump's lawless actions and served as Trump's agent in his war on the Justice Dept. itself and on career prosecutors and principled professionals at all levels, thereby aiding and abetting Trump's lawlessness. And Barr's own radical right views of the law, it should be added!
The idea that somehow Barr has suddenly had some sort of attack of integrity is apparently just reportorial spin.
Barr is Trump's John Mitchell, Nixon's AG, who eventually found himself an inmate in a federal penitentiary in the South, an ultimately ironic end to Nixon's "Southern Strategy." Perhaps Barr is pondering a potentially similar fate for his own law-breaking?
5
It is amazing that the Times and other mainstream outlets are playing along with this ruse. Of course Barr is not going to resign. He and Trump are playing this game while they continue to manipulate and corrupt the Justice Department. How many times can media outlets be suckered by these conmen before they wise up?
3
A question: who comes in as a replacement for Barr? My bet is one of the criminals that Trump released from jail yesterday. They owe Trump “bigly.”
The swamp gets fuller, uglier and meaner everyday.
he won't leave. he has no shame
3
So Barr does not like Trump bragging about the dirty deeds Barr is carrying out for him. My heart bleeds for this country. They are traitors, everyone in the Trump administration.
2
Aren't y'all so happy the GOP elected Trump? And Mitch?
2
If even Barr isn't Trumpy enough for Trump, who is?
Will the next AG be a member of his family, or even better from his POV, himself.
Will Trump appoint himself as AG to save the nation? Who'll stop him??
1
Barr had a choice: He could be a patriot and defy Trump, or go down in history as the worst, most corrupt Attorney General in American history. Sadly he's chosen the latter.
2
Trump is the supreme leader and, as such, judge, jury and executioner. Barr just needs to fall in line, speak only when told, and get over it, When Trump reverses judicial rulings, he needs to say 'yes sir'. When the President refutes the 2020 election results, SCOTUS needs to say 'you won.' And when he decides to start a nuclear war, we all need to ask 'how soon, sir?'
2
Theatre. Pure theatre.
7
Today's Trumplicans have demonstrated clearly that as long as you are politically aligned with them, they don't care what you get up to.
2
Susan Collins was a BigBarrBacker.
She gave her word he was really fabu.
Oops.
She hoped so darn much that Trump learned something from impeachment.
He did.
Santa is a nice story.
But these days, 10 year-olds catch on quick.
3
Welcome to the United Banana Republic of Trump. Or perhaps this is insulting to Banana Republics.
3
As soon as Trump is out of office they need to throw him and his cronies right in jail. That is where they need to be
1
Trump reminds me of the Black Knight in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." He will righteously assert his correctness, validity, and heroic nature until, like the limbless Black Knight, he has no one left to support him. He will have nothing left but his foul mouth, spouting falsehoods. At least the Black Knight was polite.
2
1 minute ago
Edit
Atop our Quisling-like Attorney General letterhead is the United States Department of Justice seal, our American eagle surrounded by the Latin motto—Qui Pro Domina Justitia Sequitur. Google translates the motto as “He who follows it is justice for a mistress.” According to the department’s website, the “mistress” was originally Queen Elizabeth I (1533–1603) and the phrase comes from the commencement of a pleading in a proceeding by the Attorney-General at common law. Until the reign of George II of Great Britain (1727–1760), all pleadings were in Latin. Mr. Barr obviously takes the motto to heart, with his “mistress,” in this case, being the current President. The motto actually comes from our 21st Attorney General, Reverdy Johnson, a Marylander, a graduate of St. John's College in Annapolis, who was appointed by President Zachary Taylor, serving for a year without distinction from 1849–1850. General Johnson lifted the motto without attribution from the heading of all pleadings at the British Inns of Court and remains on our Department of Justice seal, with the forced explanation that the “mistress” is, in fact, the blindfolded Lady Justice. But for a strict Constitutionalist like Barr, who believes that the President is meant to be King, Qui Pro Domina Justitia Sequitur, seems to fit him to a proverbial tee.
Mr. Trump is not the chief law enforcement
officer; but he is a carnival clown. God help
us all.
7
America is well on the way to becoming a banana republic with Trump as top banana.
On another topic, is the nonreviewability of the presidential pardon power written into the constitution? Or can Congress pass legislation to put some checks and balances on it from outside the executive branch?
4
Senior Republicans missed their chance to stop Trump in 2016. They were given another opportunity two weeks ago, and once again, they took a pass.
We're closer to a military coup d'etat than some may believe. If Trump is arrogant enough to publicly declare that he is king and ultimate arbiter of all legal matters, then he has already, undoubtedly, issued illegal orders to senior military command. Everyone in the military fully understands that they are individually prohibited from obeying illegal orders. Once Trump issues an illegal "whopper" then it will be over for the president.
Please don't say that a coup d'etat cannot happen here. If it's required to save the republic and quite possibly the world, it will happen, as it must.
7
Barr might just as well stick with Trump. Whatever good reputation he might have had (not much of one, in my eyes) is forever shredded already. He has no more to lose.
I did get a good laugh from the "making my job harder" line. Translation: "Mr. President, please stop giving the game away. I am doing exactly what you want. If you will just shut up I can complete the destruction of the Justice Department." OK, not really all that funny.
10
Barr has been incredibly loyal to the president. But he made a fatal mistake. He started getting more attention on the front page than Trump. That is a crime Trump cannot dismiss.
We've seen this movie before. Now Trump is doing all kinds of crazy things (declaring himself chief law enforcer, pardoning friends, etc.) to put himself back into top billing in the news.
Too bad Barr. Start packing.
9
AG William Barr would do well to consider his own professional future and reputation. I remember he initially dismissed having a besmirched legacy with a "who cares; we're all just going to die anyway" kind of flip remark, but maybe he's reconsidering that cavalier attitude.
5
Clearly Mr. Trump is indifferent about his re-election. This is what happens when we have a candidate who proudly announces that he is "not a politician".
We have another politician in Michael Bloomberg who is also claiming he is not a politician even though he served three-terms as mayor of NYC.
Beware those proclaiming to be non-politicians, for they will continue to lie to you about everything.
The primary, Article II responsibility the President is assigned is to ensure that the laws are "faithfully executed." The President and his AG are actively undercutting the faithful, even-handed execution of the law and are failing to fulfill their primary responsibility. Both need to be impeached.
I suggest that if Barr leaves, that Trump immediately nominate Rod R. Blagojevich to take his place. Loyalty from Blagojevich should not be a problem, nor should any little ethics concerns.
1
So poor Mr. Barr joins millions of other ordinary workers and middle managers whose bad bosses make it difficult for them to do their jobs properly and with a shred of dignity and who are forced to consider resignation as the only remedy. The difference is, Mr. Barr knew who Donald Trump was when he applied for the job. American voters now know who he is too. Will we consider firing him?
1
There is a rationale to Trump's pardons of his rich friends...these, and for those to follow...I think you have to be out of prison to get a Medal of Freedom.
Barr is doing something he believes in, there's no way he'll resign, he signed the loyalty pledge with his eyes open. It's another distraction!
2
Barr is auditioning for a Supreme Court appointment. Let’s keep him tied up as AG as long as possible. Justices stay healthy!
Hopefully we can make it to January 2021!
2
We're left with two optional ways of looking at this.
1. Even the corrupt Trump is too corrupt for the corrupt Barr.
2. It's all a fancy, choreographed kabuki dance by two equally corrupt politicians.
I choose to believe the latter.
5
Well on our way to third world status. We have the authoritarian despot who abuses the rule of law, the Constitution and a history of democratic norms. And the sycophants in the Senate to assist in the deterioration of the system. Next is the military kowtowing and we will be there!
3
Barr speaks of growing irritation.
Welcome to the club, Barr.
Our irritation with your myriad statements, speeches, and published articles touting how the office of the presidency is above the law, etc. is not only irritating, it is downright disgusting and sickening (not to mention unconstitutional).
How anyone who graduated from a top law school, passed the bar, and expounds on such outer-electron positions as yours is anyone's guess.
But rest assured, as you well know, if you did not hold these deep-seated positions you would be detritus in the curb of Trump's one-way drive towards authoritarianism.
November 3rd cannot arrive quick enough.
1
in this era of lies and misinformation, does Barr speak the truth? Until he takes some kind of assertive action to get law and order back into the American fabric, Barr is just vanilla words with no substance at all.
Trump's authoritarianism grows by the day. Hey, Republicans, have you figured out yet that you cannot control him? That he may becoming for YOU next? I hold each and every one of you who did not vote for conviction in the Senate trial, and each and every one of you who did not vote for impeachment, responsible for the monster you have unleashed on America. He knows no bounds and will suffer no bounds. Do you get it now?
3
These people who go to work for Trump and then are surprised to find out that’s he’s a terrible person get no sympathy from me. What part of Donald Trump did you not understand when you took the job?
1
I’d ask anyone who thinks drumming the lackey Barr out of office will make any difference to kindly share with me the cocktails they’re imbibing.
King Trump will appoint someone even worse, and his lapdogs in the Senate will confirm.
There is only one way out of this nightmare: the ballot box. Trump and his legion of darkness must be given the boot and his sorry and/or greedy army of sycophants told that their misguided and anachronistic votes no longer count.
"As Trump Claims to Be Master of All Time, Being, Space and Dimension, Barr’s Irritation Builds".
2
I wonder if the Senate members who voted to acquit are second guessing their decision. So far, crickets.
3
Barr resigning? Nonsense. He’ll resign when I’m crowned Miss America. He wants to be on the Supreme Court.
3
This is...horrifying. (And how can anyone who is reasonable and sane compare Bloomberg to Trump? They are not even in the same universe.) Trump is a dictator. We are losing the rule of law in the United States. God help us.
2
“Mr. Trump demanded a new trial for Mr. Stone, urged federal judges to address the “tremendous” abuse of the special counsel investigation of his campaign”
That would be granted, if you Mr. Trump, would testify and allow others to testify, and allow documents to be entered into evidence. So far you haven’t followed the normal legal proceedings which every citizen on trial swears to.
Barring any indication that Trump would comply with the law, you have to conclude that he and his associates are hiding something and guilty of the charges as stated and further obstruction of justice.
1
Don’t be so easily duped. This is just another con Trump and his minions are perpetrating against the American people. Barr is doing Trump’s bidding and, while he may actually be irritated that Trump is saying out loud what Barr wants hidden, he will stay and continue Trump’s destruction of the DOJ. Barr isn’t going anywhere. This is another cheap con.
424
@Renee Margolin I think you're right, but maybe if Trump refuses to shut up, Barr's threshold for embarrassment may be high enough so he will change his strategy. I didn't think this was possible, but now I'm not sure.
15
@Renee Margolin
After all, Sacrifices must be made in a crusade.
3
@Renee Margolin You are right, don't be so easily duped!
Barr is just blowing hot air to try to scrape up what's left of his reputation. He has no intention of leaving since this has been his life dream to see that a president is above the law.
20
The president is making Barr's job of "protecting him" much harder. That's it, nothing else, since Barr is as corrupt as Trump.
6
General Barr! General Barr! Do not "just follow orders!" Defend the Rule of Law, and succeed.
Greed needs to know its limitations. We're at war.
Crimes committed during war may be war crimes.
https://jsc.defense.gov/Portals/99/Documents/MCM2016.pdf?ver=2016-12-08-181411-957
Barr isn't resigning. There is plenty of Kompromat on him. You don't quit the mob
5
Then stop doing his unfettered bidding. You know, be an Attorney General instead of a consigilere.
I know, too much to ask.
8
looks like barr made the classic codependent mistake: you always think you're "the one" for whom the horrible unhappy mean person will be different. you never think the dump is right around the corner and could happen to you, Also.
9
Trump is King. Simple as that. Your constitution didn’t stand a chance and is now no longer fit for purpose. To be frank, it’s as if the US has become host to its own killer virus... how can you survive this despot?
11
Does anyone really think that Barr isn't in cahoots with this outlaw resident of the White House?
Barr should be disbarred.
Yesterday.
15
Senate Republicans, this is all on you.
16
To Republican Voters
What are you thinking?
14
Seymour -- that's the trouble: they don't think.
3
I said a few months ago that Barr should take a moment and consult with Cohen about his personal experience. I can confidently bet he never took the time, and now look where he is. None of this becomes a problem unless there comes a day of reckoning, which we all know is coming quickly. Trump's fall-back is his hotel management job, but what about the Republicans who are going to take the fall? "Tough luck, baby". Cohen would probably have provided some salient advice.
3
Clear enough that Barr wants Trump to stop being so obvious in his intent to obstruct the law. But that is all that is clear. Whether there is the slightest indication that Barr himself has any interest in upholding the due process of the law depends on one thing only - will Barr resign. If not - then he opposes American law processes himself - and considers himself the servant of Trump and not the public servant of the people of the United States.
10
The purpose justifies the means. Chastising the legit government as corrupt and deep state, he is now fulfilling the initial intent of deconstructing the administrative state, a Bannon revolutionary idea: circumvent the elections and laws to stay in power. These Republicans must have got the message that this is the only way to survive. After us, the deluge.
2
Barr's Irritation is staged. He has behaved as a hired hand, not as the head of an independent separate branch of government.
11
It was only a matter of time before Trump’s ego became more important than Barr’s ability to shield the President from the law.
Barr will be tossed onto the refuse pile of former staffers, yet he may be the most dangerous of all to cast aside. He can allow the building tide of disgruntled investigators throughout the federal law enforcement infrastructure to come rushing in. Yes, GOP senators and Trump’s base will not care what comes of this, but more and more independent voters may. A smart politician would never pull such a short sighted stunt in the middle of an election. But Trump’s arrogance will ultimately be his undoing.
7
I appreciate the way Trump sticks up for the little guy.
Little guys like Stone and Kerik, millionaires in a land of billionaires.
6
If you say X to Donald Trump, he is psychologically compelled to say the opposite. At 73 he still has Daddy issues and needs to fight and disagree with everyone to prove his strength and thus his worth. Literally every interaction is an attack or insult, to prove he doesn't care you don't like him because he feels so unliked by everyone in his life. He knows all his wives are transactional and it continues on and on.
Barr sold himself thinking because they have similar poltical views that they can get along, but Trump needs to always show his disdain for a person to work with that person. Many of his voters see it as a strength but it's clearly his weakness.
Of course he's not in charge of the judiciary and his tweets are childish and counterproductive, but his meritless pardons are not. It's time for Mr. Bar to man up and resign. He might able to save what little reputation he has left.
7
Note: I meant many Trump supporters want to see convictions of former FBI officials involved in the investigation of the Trump campaign.
Bill Barr traded whatever ethics and integrity he once posessed for a job that he coveted above all else. Trump has just started; he soon will treat Barr with the same Twitter-fed contempt that Jeff Sessions suffered — and he deserves every bit of it.
5
I would like to thank the Republicans in the senate who blindly traded self-respect for sycophancy and in doing so have completely destroyed the checks and balances the founders thought they ensured.
9
Puh-LEEZE. Anyone on our side buying this ham-and-egg routine is as gullible as Trump’s minions. Pardons calculated by post-acquittal emboldened DJT to flaunt precedent and maximize fundraising. Barr, scripted or unscripted, attempting to manufacture a shred of legitimacy for a completely emasculated DOJ to avoid mass defections and mask his obeisance to the Dark Lord. Both softening us up for the impending Flynn and Stone pardons, the latter to come within hours of sentencing.
6
The latest actions of the POTUS are in flagrant violation of the US Constitution. Although the Equal Protection Clause itself of the 14th Amendment applies only to state and local governments, the decision of the Supreme Court in Bolling v. Sharpe (1954) held that the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment nonetheless imposes various equal protection requirements on the federal government via reverse incorporation. It follows, therefore, that pardon powers of a presdient must be balanced against the concept of equal protection for the benefit of all citizens and residents of the US from persons with a propensity to commit heinous crimes, including fraud and deceipt. Bipartison steps and demonstrations must force the current POTUS to resign, and following that, he should be tried and sentenced to fines and imprisonment. Attorney General Barr should resign to save his future to practice as a lawyer. Furthermore, anyone who the POTUS wishes to be appointed as a replacement should refuse to seve in order to save the credibility and respect of the legal profession.
"Barr's irritation builds" as Trump continues to label himself as “the chief law enforcement officer of the country."
So what.
Every person who serves at the pleasure of THIS president has options if they are unhappy or irritated with the actions of Trump. Either resign or find the irrefutable evidence that will bring him down or shut up. Whining about something but refusing to take action becomes either boring or a cheap imitation of chicken little who cried the sky is falling.
Well, the sky isn't falling but our country and its democracy certainly it every single day while Trump is in charge.
He is a president, he is not a god. He should not be able to make stuff up as he goes along, assuming he is above the law, regardless of what the issue is.
Thank goodness for individuals like Judge Amy Berman Jackson. She continues to do her job as she sees fit rather than coward to any hints, suggestions or "favors" by the president. Presently, she is the anchor that is so badly needed to keep justice from floating away.
6
In the Bible, if you look hard enough you can find a verse that justifies just about anything that you want to do.
Apparently Trump looks upon Fox News the same way, if Judge Napolitano says I can do whatever I want, then I guess that is good enough reason for me.
1
"...he (Barr)was considering resignation if the president continued to publicly weigh in on individual prosecutions of his own associates.
I'll believe that when I see it.
5
Are you all really buying this charade? Barr and Trump are play-acting any disagreement for the benefit of propriety on the part of Justice while Trump imposes injustice throughout the land. Barr is completely implicit in this. The Times writing an article like this only provides cover for this "rift".
3
Bill Barr is the owner of every frustration he has with Trump. He has been instrumental in creating the monster in the White House -- he is as much an enabler as the GOP leadership. No one in the administration or the GOP leadership have seen fit to stop Trump. Each time they let him off the hook, he is emboldened to try even more mind-boggling things. His corruption has been met with a shrug -- including from Mr. Barr. What on earth did he think was going to happen? He's frustrated? Welcome to the majority of the country, Mr. Barr. Thanks for nothing!
1
This daily mess lies squarely at the feet of the Republican Senators. Period. They had a duty to stop him. They punted. Now we are left with daily headlines of a Mafia-type leader who will do everything in his power to protect himself.
Vote them out for the sake of our country. That is really the only remedy now. Or kiss it all goodbye.
4
Yada Yada Yada...the fact that has Barr NOT resigned says all we need to know about that man’s strength of character.
At this point in the tragedy that is America just cut to the chase. Inneundo, rumor, gossip, conspiracy theories are all trash and belong in the garbage can. Fact: the US is heading for self-immolation as a result of the loyalties of Trumpites to wealth accumulation at the cost of our democracy. Our democracy stood on the belief that we are all created equal. Barr at Trump’s direction has made Trump above and beyond the reach of US law and the Constitution. Our co-equal branches of government are no longer co-equal. Trump is our first dictator and he will stay in power until WE take it back any way necessary and legal.
3
No witnesses allowed. No documents allowed.
4
A focus should be on flipping Florida so Trump can be prosecuted at a state level there. No Federal hi-jinx to shield him. No safe harbor.
A multi-pronged legal assault once he’s out of office is the only way to right these many wrongs; New York, New Jersey, Florida, these are the keys to unwinding Trump, inc.
"Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him."
2
This is a remarkably credulous description of Bill Barr's actions and motivations. Can you see inside his head? If not, you might better serve the public with lines like "Mr. Barr's *apparent* pleas" or "Mr. Barr *appeared* especially irritated by..."
I assume you're familiar with the concepts of disingenuous behavior and political theater. Please don't sacrifice factual accuracy for the sake of "both sides"-ism.
3
Mr. Trump just put Mr. Barr out of a job by declaring himself our highest law enforcement officer. No wonder Mr. Barr is irritated.
Hopefully members of the GOP are cowering in their coat closets going, "oh my God, what have we done." What a same.
There has never been a more openly corrupt President in the history of these United States.
Wake up America!
Trump has absolutely declared war on our democracy.
7
Please. Focus on what Barr is doing, not what he is “feeling”. This is nothing but a red herring designed to deflect, and to take ink/airtime away from those speaking out in opposition to his actions. Sometimes you really shouldn’t talk and chew gum at the same time, even if you can.
3
A criminal as president, a criminal administration, 35% of the US population worship and adores criminal behaviour and congressional republicans trapped between their fear of trump tweeting negative attacks about them and their joy of increasing the wealth of the .01% at the expense of the rest of the country.
putin says “Who would ever have imagined that humiliating and disgracing the USA would be so easy, I did not even need collusion with my willing agent trump.”
3
All presidents hand out pardons and commutations at the end of their presidencies. Trump is doing so in the middle of his. Trump is pardoning friends and people he has been handsomely bribed to pardon. You employ SOP Republican false equivalence between Obama pardoning people he doesn’t know, for reasons you don’t know, for certain crimes, and the possibility of Trump letting off his minions for the same or similar crimes simply out of childishness and his lifelong blatant disregard for laws. Defending Trump using such dishonest tactics fatally undercuts your claim to dislike him.
5
Well, Mr. Attorney General, through your statements and actions you have been instrumental in the creation of this monster. So, what are you going to do about it?
5
Just goes to show how times have changed. Used to be if you attacked and attempted to circumvent the criminal justice system, you were a criminal. No-brainer, right?
Now you're the "Chief law enforcement officer of the country." Silly me, I always thought that was the Attorney General. But there may be a silver lining. Those voters who still have an open mind may look at this behavior and say "enough is enough."
2
Yeah, right. This is the logical end of Barr's philosophy - a dictator and a King. He has long asserted a position of almost unquestioned deference and authority to the President (Republican ones, anyway) and now supposedly doesn't like what he asked for? Just more political theater or perhaps Barr expected more when we finally got here? Barr is dangerous and evil to his core.
6
Barr does not object to Trump using the DOJ as his personal, political cudgel, Barr is just afraid Trump's big mouth might cause him to end up like John Mitchell. Which actually would be the just result for his reign of corruption.
7
Well, I feel better. Mr. Barr is "irritated" and "frustrated" about donald dump's destruction of our system of justice. What a man of courage.
7
Yes Trump is a criminal and should be removed from office and prosecuted then sent off to prison.
But so were Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld for starting a fake War and they were rewarded with a 2nd term.
Washington politics have been broken for decades.
3
wake up 45 supporters, he thinks he is god...
2
Barr fed the beast, and now the beast is eating him.
5
Susan Collins, how do you feel about your vote to acquit now? Is this the newly “chastened” behavior to which you were referring?
11
If the Supreme Court rule in July his tax returns must be turned over to Congress and NY AG, and he defies the order-as I am sure he will-then what?
Will there be any doubts he will not concede even he loses by 100 electoral points and 100 million more votes.
Will that be the spark for the eventual upheaval?
This is no longer hypothetical or presumptuous. He is meticulously laying the groundwork for the next civil war.
8
Nothing will oril the Justice Departtment if Mr. Barr leaves like nothing roiled any department in previous resignations and firings because he has the basis support of his constituency. This all comes from his basic spin, he's defending some ideal against corruptors and he is the defender of those elusive ideals. That is the populist trick. And he may be unfortunately correct on the, one is now realizing, few constraints the Constitution imposes on the Presidency, as Commander in Chief. He is pushing his powers to the limits. Citizens share in the meaning given to the powers of the presidency, and he is carrying them along. Like a child, he is testing limits of power. Maybe the Constitution needs some tweaking after this president steps down (by votes, sickness, or death).
On voice, he may have a point (although FOX given him plenty of opportunity to amplify his voice). But he's using the power of tweeting like an adolescence and without the dignity of office..
1
Imperial Powers. Unfortunately it's in the constitution. All that separated republican democracy from autocracy are a few elected citizens with greater good intention in the senate- or at least not willing to give away their powers to the presidency. Unfortunately, again, that wall has been most decisively breached last month.
3
If Barr has 2000 former federal prosecutors and attorneys signing a letter in protest that asks for his resignation, why doesn’t one of them report him to his state bar and have him disbarred and his license to practice law revoked? It seems like that would be easier at this point.
5
@Jane K
Disbarrment might certainly be embarassing to Barr.
But, I don't believe the AG is required to be a member of the bar, or even to have a law degree.
@Kevin Banker
Umm, yeah, s/he is required to be a "real lawyer" with all of the basic accreditations thereof.
But understandable in this time that people could believe that.
@Bluerose
Um...so would Barr automatically lose his job if he's disbarred?
In these times I'm not surprised people might think he doesn't have to be impeached or fired by the President to lose it.
A national tragedy continues to unfold before our very eyes.
I ask myself on a daily basis: can this really be happening? Just want to wake up from this ongoing nightmare. November cannot come soon enough. What's next, I fear.
4
Our Republic has been carried forward with a common, unspoken agreement to prioritize the national good, at least somewhat, to obey the rule of law and to have faith that our institutions protect us from those who would transgress that agreement.
Trump is the first president to utterly flout any notion of national good or the rule of law, any acceptance of a baseline "common decency", and he has done it with the connivance and active conspiracy of both his 'base' and the Republican legislators.
His three years in office have torn at the institutions we rely upon, split us apart and radically redefined the definition of political power in ways that the majority of our citizens do not support.
With Trump's constant breaking of the limits of his power and his flagrant criminality, it has become plain that our Constitution is in great need of revision and greater precision.
Clear and specific allocation of power and consequences for either abusing or abdicating that power needs to be codified, and the outrageous power of the wealthy over the citizenry must be curtailed.
A Constitutional Convention in which NO political representatives can participate is urgently needed.
1
February 5th, 2020. That date will be a defining moment in the history of the United States. When the Senate acquitted Trump in the sham impeachment trial, America embarked on a new path. Since that day, Trump's approval rating has gone up. The president is now a supreme leader in the U.S. with virtually no limits on his power. Mr. Barr seems to be feeling unhappy about the president failing to respect his position. Perhaps Mr. Barr believes that his very significant actions aiding the president's rise to Supreme Leader deserve some gratitude. He, like all who serve under Trump, fails to grasp the man's total and absolute inability to display gratitude or loyalty. (In a way, you have to admire Trump's single-minded ruthlessness. He demands absolute loyalty while offering absolutely none in return, and he is utterly unbothered by the obscene inequity.)
So poor Bill Barr was a toadying enabler of the Trump juggernaut, and now finds himself completely marginalized only days after Trump's ascension to untouchable status. It's almost like there's a moral lesson in there somewhere.
4
I just want to point out that the cover photo for this story is amazing. Perfectly sums up their relationship right now.
1
---
Calling himself “the chief law enforcement officer of the country,” Mr. Trump demanded a new trial for Mr. Stone
---
Another example to present to Trump supporters. They claim Trumpism is not a cult, so will they blindly start repeating Trump's claim that he is the "chief law enforcement officer of the country"?
My bet is they will.
2
Let's see, the cabinet serves at the pleasure of the President and reports directly to him. That being the case the President is indeed the chief officer of each of those departments. A good coach knows the strengths and weaknesses of all his players, changing them out as the situation requires. Perhaps it is time to pull Barr.
@Kurt Pickard That is a sophist dodge to excuse Trump's lie. No, he is not the "chief law enforcement officer of the country."
---
Is Trump the “chief law-enforcement officer of the United States”?
No.
The White House web-page on the Executive Branch explains:
The Attorney General is the head of the DOJ and chief law enforcement officer of the federal government.
According to 28 U.S. Code § 503:
The Attorney General is the head of the Department of Justice.
Note: The actual claim isn't as strong as the question claims. Trump showed he wasn't sure be prefixing it with "I’m actually, I guess". His guess, in this case, was wrong.
---
https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/45925/is-trump-the-chief-law-enforcement-officer-of-the-united-states
2
@N Yorker And yet the AG reports to and serves at the pleasure of the President. Please explain that away.
IF Barr quits, that still works well for the current president. It all but guarantees further demoralizing of career Justice staff, many of whom will likely leave for the private sector. The kind of law that will exist for them to practice is an open question. Remember: job one of this white house is elimination of the ‘administrative state.’ Which means creation of authoritarian rule.
2
Thank Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham (and others in the senate and congress) who look the other way because they are making money hand over fist with Trump's help and blessings. Greed has no limits.
8
@Daulat Rao
Thank them by voting out every Republican this fall.
1
I have no sympathy for Trump, or his concern that Stone, Flynn or the others have been mistreated by our legal system. They violated the laws of our country, and the jury convictions, jail sentences, or fines have been the result. My suspicion is that Trump is worried about his own legal future, and the eventual disgrace and even possible jail sentences when our legal system finally catches up to him.
The closer Trump gets to his time out of office, the more anxious he will get about his legal future, and the possibility of being pictured in a prison uniform.
Future presidential nominees should be prepared to promise no future pardon to Trump or his cronies who break our laws!
4
Trump thinks he is running his own business, it is what most businessmen does. He needs to be reminded that the U.S. Government is not his business to do whatever he wants.
3
Trump has and is abusing the power of the presidency and it is NOT OK. For if it is, then all presidents should be able to do that. And I can bet dollars to donuts that that is not what the select cadre of Trump enablers will ever allow when the next Democratic President does it.
Trump is exactly how democracies are not supposed to work.
Trump has weakened our democracy and there could soon be a point where we don't even pretend that it is a democracy and then all bets are off as to what his decrees will lead to. We have seen this happen many times before throughout history. All with very bad results.
2
Trump is making it ever clearer who you are if you vote for him in 2020. Whoever votes for him, whatever the reasons, is endorsing the destruction of democracy and the rule of law, is sanctioning corruption and the awarding of favors to the rich and well connected. Trump has SO not drained the swamp. He is intent on destroying the national and international institutions needed to rein in despots. If he seems unleashed after the Senate trial, imagine a Trump in office post-election.
I'm counting on those who love our democracy and value stability in the world to vote against Trump in November, even if he is perceived to be so darn entertaining. I'm worn out.
4
@kathyb
Don't be too worn out to register and vote against every Republican for every office on the ballot - right down to the local water board.
1
I’ll believe he is considering resigning where he actually does so. Until then this is just a smokescreen to suggest he is a legitimate attorney general. When Trump is finally gone we need to real investigation, with evidence and witnesses, to get to the bottom of the whole Trump debacle.
1
Barr can’t resign because of Trump’s interference without a promise and a follow through to defeat his boss and restore the rule of law. I wonder what he’ll do.
1
Barr should resign. He has few friends in the legal world now. His friend Trump is useless to him. He has utterly disgraced himself in so many ways, most notably when inaccurately reporting the Mueller Report. The law (legal profession) is a culture as well as a set of rules and Barr is no longer acceptable to the culture.
2
Pay attention. If Trump thinks he has the power to nullify a jury verdict, which is, after all, a vote, he also believes he has the power to overturn an election. He already tried to cheat in the 2020 election, what will stop him from asserting the power to hold new elections if he loses in November? Collins, Murkowski, Alexander, do you think Trump has learned his lesson? You three plus Mitt Romney need to call on Democrats to bring additional articles of impeachment to the Senate before November.
4
@Jim
While an interesting approach, Collins & Murkowski will do nothing but "express concern" while they vote Every. Single. Time. with all the other Republicans.
Vote them out in November.
2
Since Trump is now in charge of everything do we need Barr and the Cabinet? Why pay all those salaries when Trump says he does it all?
2
Again, method in the "madness." Judging by online comments, support of Barr among Trump supporters is tepid, at best. Many want to see convictions and nothing less. By circumventing Barr and being the administration's lead voice on this matter, Trump is listening to supporters.
1
@David H. * see convictions of former FBI officials who investigated the Trump campaign.
Make it stop. I want it to stop. I miss when politics didn't make my brain hurt. please bring that back. I don't want to do this anymore.
3
"Calling himself “the chief law enforcement officer of the country,”
What part of that statement does not send chills down one's back?
I just wonder much longer in addition to what the tipping point will be in which people who pledged their loyalty to Trump will begin to see what he is continues to evolve into - a bully who thinks he has total control over anything and everything because he is president.
If his acquittal by the GOP Senators proved anything, it's that this man's craving for total power is only becoming stronger. This is the monster the GOP has helped create, foster and now are on the brink of losing all control.
This guy is truly the living proof of the Nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue.
4
I don't for a minute believe AG Barr is thinking about resignation. He's Otto von Bismark -- the Iron Chancellor and the weak king.
I think he likes driving the bus off a cliff, if only to get his name in the all the law review articles that are currently being written about his peculiar interpretation of executive authority.
Were it not for the recent confirmation by senate republicans that corruption is the way America now works, the attorney general would be impeached.
3
Trump simply has decided he does not need an Attorney General.
Co-conspirators like Barr and McConnell don't particularly worry about their legacy. They only want to appease. The more I read, the more depressing our state of the nation seems. We have truly lost our soul as a nation, and it's incredible so many Americans could support this vile wannabe king. As many have pointed out, if Trump is acting so lawlessly in his first term, how much further will we sink as a nation if he were reelected?
The toddler speaks like a toddler: "it's not fair", "I'm allowed to", "I don't care", "I can if I want to"
4
So, is Trump asserting himself to be the boss or bullying a subordinate who just asked to be respected?
Barr is going to have to resign or Trump will humiliate him. Trump cannot stop behaving like this once he starts. If Barr remains, he’s going to be one of Trump’s targets.
There will be a tipping point. Trump is not a Saddam Hussein nor a Vladimir Putin but a President of the U.S., he is acting with informal authority given by Republicans not by the law and not by God nor carefully crafted political power but by people who tend to think like Barr. That informal authority can end without warning.
“Social media for me has been very important because it gives me a voice, because I don’t get that voice in the press,”
It's not the job of the press to give you a platform for amplifying lies, attacks, and distortions. I certainly wish that wasn't the job of Twitter, either.
1
I believe that Barr's "irritation" over Trump's meddling in Department of Justice (DOJ) affairs is as Fake as he is and his faux president is. Rather, I believe the "public feud" between them is carefully orchestrated collusion -- collusion in its most nefariously brilliant form.
The fact that Barr and Trump have both undermined DOJ protocol in open mockery to ethics and the law, points not to individual tensions, but rather to a tight partnership forged on a shared, obsessed political agenda.
I'm not the only American who has detected this charade. Many more also have, including the more than 2,000 former DOJ officials who have recently called for Barr's resignation based largely on his meddling in Roger Stone's trial and imminent sentencing.
There's no way out for Barr. He should give up while he's behind.
2
Barr has failed as an administrator—across all features by which administrators are evaluated.
(Since 1900, who is worse?)
That should be an important focus in the March 31 hearing.
With specific criteria, 1-sentence wrenching fact and follow-up: he will try to squirm away from the words, but he will be unable to impact-slither.
That line of questioning is non-partisan, and has no answer.
Barr: a cruel hoax.
Have you ever served on a jury? There is a sacred trust conferred on a juror. I found it to be an honor to serve. It was a direct call to uphold the principles of our system of law and order, an affirmation that no one is above the law, and an acknowledgement that one is innocent unless deemed guilty by a citizen jury. I respected the process and my fellow jurors honest deliberations. In my few times of jury duty in 70 years I left jury duty feeling very grateful to be an American citizen. Waking up to the news of Trump's pardons makes my stomach turn, as it does most days when reading about his entitlement, but especially with this assault on the judicial process. What disgust those citizens must feel who served on juries for these now pardoned cronies.
Trump has undermined the ideals of everyone called to serve justice.
1
"...To preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States..."
How hard is it to remember less than a dozen words? One's chief job description?
1
"Barr's irritation grows?" Really? It should be clear by now that Barr is Trump's accomplice and willing henchman in gutting the rule of law. Let's call this PR announcement what it is: and ex post facto self-exculpation. Barr is only annoyed by Trump's tweets because they render the obvious explicit.
1
is out of control and should be removed from office.
1
The last barrier between Trump and his madness was the justice system and the law. That’s held him in some sort of check for over three years. Now it feels like that too has been co-opted. God help us!
Trump may pardon Stone, Flynn and others. He cannot "clear" them.
Where can honest Americans go with corrupt administration? At one time to the judicial branch, but they appear to be as corrupt as the unleashed monster. Imagine the AG stopped all investigations into themselves.To the controlled and owned Supreme Court, not an option. Our republic seems doomed. The last time there was such a division of good and evil a civil war broke out. The president and the attorney general are in fact, the enemies of the United States, and their core is again the south.
1
This increased arrogance and power grabbing by Trump is a direct result of the spineless kowtowing of the Republicans in Congress. This just didn't begin with the impeachment process but from the start of the Trump Presidency when integrity and morality were tossed aside. The warning signs were there before the election when Trump declared he could kill somebody on Fifth Ave and get away with it. Now he will ensure that is the case. Since before his election his phrase of "Lock her up" was arrogant and demonstrated he regarded himself a law onto himself. His disparaging of his so called "enemies" from Comey to Bolton shows contempt for the Constitution, legal institutions and traditions, and most fundamentally the rule of law. A sane and honest person would argue that his utterances at the very least are impeachable offenses. But what is the point when the representatives of the people, supposedly Right Honorable Gentlemen and Ladies turn a blind eye and worse than doing nothing reinforce and embolden this President. So much for America's vaunted "checks and balances"!
1
Yet again, anyone who sides up to Trump comes out at the end disgraced, tainted and then discarded by the person they followed like a cult follower does. The entire Senate - minus one - falls into this category, too.
1
The absurd play ever continues. Now, thanks to "Christians" we must deal on a day to day basis with the very real possibility that America has its first dictator. We will fight and fight and be exhausted, but, really? Is this what you're all MAGA'd up about? Having a dictatorship in America just like North Korea? Republicans have got to try harder than this. The chuckles are coming to an end. He will be your dictator too.
If Barr has any self respect he’ll resign
Actions!! What are his ACTIONS? My god! The New York Times needs to be reminded that “Actions speak louder than words”? Really? That needs repeating? What are you actually reporting here: Exactly what Barr would like Americans to believe!
1
Yes Trump makes it impossible for Barr to do his dirty work in secrecy, such as stifle the SDNY’s investigations, including moving the Ukraine effort to Brooklyn last year, and essentially killing the porn star hush money scandal, among others.
What will Barr and Pompeo and the other slugs get for their trouble, when all is said and done? Russian money? I don’t think we’ll ever know the full extent of Trump’s corruption and criminality.
2
Conspiracy theories about the DOJ, a rogue AG, and a demagogue President taunting America by celebrating corruption, lies, and criminality... I hope enough of America is as tired as this daily dreck as I am. Tuesday November 3 can’t come soon enough.
6
So, are the Dems going to give us someone to vote for? Should be simple to limit Trump to one term, but from where I sit today, Sanders looks like the candidate (based on polls). If Sanders is the candidate, Trump wins.
1
Barr has no intention of resigning - just a dog and pony show. GOP- you own this- all of it. See you in November- unless the king cancels elelctions. Not so far fetched- there. is. no. bottom! Look for war with Iran in late August/early Sept.
So, Senator Collins, it appears that your boy continues to learn from his impeachment.
Do you feel proud of yourself?
3
Fool me once shame on...shame on you. Fool me...fool me twice... you can't get fooled again.
Barr is not fooling anyone. Stop falling for this. The republican party is bound and gagged!
3
Dear mr Barr—now is the time for you to resign with some of you integrity intact.
shhhhhh.....the Senate is sleeping....
Oh spare us, Bill Barr. You didn’t suddenly find your conscience. You just got tired of people calling you crooked.
2
Supposedly, "Barr has his limits." Yeah, working without a cloak.
3
Barr knew what he was signing up for. Methinks he doth protest too much.
19
They can resolve their differences when they have the White House dinner for all these released criminals.
3
The president declares that he is the law of the land and there is no hint of public outrage and condemnation from Republicans & Democrats. Are we all so numb from this man's constant assault on our democratic institutions that we can't see that he is publicly declaring himself to be the supreme leader.
22
today's pronouncement about being the law of the land shook me to my core
3
Nonsense. The lead Prosecutor on the Stone case petitioned for sentence reduction months ago and the 4 line prosecutors resisted. Sentence reduction requests are standard in Justice so this has nothing to do with Trump.
Barr is a dedicated creature of the JD and devoted to it. He would no more resign than fly. These articles seek only to create false narratives.
There are 4 key investigations under way by outside prosecutors. Clapper and Brennen are being interviewed this week. Get ready.
2
Just curious. How do you petition for a sentence reduction before you’re sentenced? How would you know you needed one? And when is it the job of the prosecution to ask for a sen the envelope reduction? Isn’t that what defense counsel is for?
13
All Trump was saying (it was on live TV last night) that while he doesn't intend to 'tell the AG what to do' he claims to have the right to intervene in individual cases. And if he does so in his capacity, as Chief Executive of the state, not the DOJ nor anyone else can do anything about it.
Where is the problem here?
2
Seriously?
A big part of the problem is that Trump rewards his criminal friends and vilifies law enforcement and the free press.
The rest of the problem with Trump requires more time than I care to spend at the moment in listing all its components.
They are myriad.
27
@waldo
The problem is that he doesn’t have the right to intervene in individual cases. No president does.
20
@Hugh CC
Maybe 'intervention' isn't the right word. But the President with executive powers has the right to pardon - not just the American one, but other heads of states as well, like in France.
And Ford did pardon Nixon the minute he resigned the Presidency.
Hate Trump as much you want, but that's the reality.
1
The judges need to consider Trump's viewpoint and not operate on a mindless autopilot. Trump isn't necessarily interfering; he is voicing his opinion as a elected official who has a fiduciary duty toward oversight. Face it, Trump is correct on most of this. It really does not matter whether he clashes with normal protocol if that is what is required to generate a logical and correct endpoint.
3
@sh
Umm ... threatening witnesses via social media or the bully pulpit ain't cool "protocol".
53
@sh So, Stone didn't commit crimes? The DOJ followed the protocol of what the sentence should be. Since it's Trumps "friend" it's an issue. If it was an enemy for same exact crimes he would say the term should be harsher. This is his game. It's always been his game.
59
@sh Everything Trump and Republican do spits on the rule of law, our Constitution, our national security, and democracy. That apparently matters not one bit to them. The horrifying reality is that the criminality, corruption, and blatant service to Putin's agenda to destroy the U.S. over the last 3 years is just a warm up to what lies ahead, given the GOP's eagerness to make Trump dictator for life.
64
barr is going nowhere, it wants to be the next supreme court justice named by the miscreant.
14
Everyone Donald Trump associates with gets dragged in the mud. AG William Barr is trying to stay clean. Good luck.
3
People like Barr created this monster.
What did they expect?
16
Barr created this monster by whitewashing the Mueller findings and now he's crying about the President making his job harder. Cry me a river, Mr. Barr. It looks to me like the conflict is quite real between Barr and Trump. Barr is likely trying to publicly distance himself from Trump before he resigns, so that the rest of the world doesn't despise him quite so much...too late, Barr!!
14
The republicans in Congress are directly responsible for this. They are part of this mob gang.
13
Turning the USA into USSR one day at a time.
15
Charade, pure and simple
12
Barr has set a very low bar for whomever follows him.
Bobby Kennedy was AG, so why shouldn't Junior trump or Eric take the job?
5
Vote him out.
13
Barr & Trump
Have earned:
A JOINT cell.
With 1 cot.
12
no cots.
1
All Barr cares about is the call for his resignation by 1100 lawyers from his department. It's hard to do your job when your job is that of consigliere to a criminal. And he could do it so well, if the boss would just shut up and keep it under wraps.
12
I am truly sick and tired of the supposedly powerful old, white men who have surrounded Trump for the past three years. Is there a single one with a spine left? Steve Bannon, John Kelly, Rex Tillerson, Mattis, McMaster, Barr, Bolton, et al. Trump has called you names, demeaned you, mocked you and shown you the door. Not a single one of you have had the spine to take on this blasted bully. Land of the free and home of the brave? Nah! Land of frightened old white guys.
28
@John David James
Answer to your first question: No there is apparently not.
1
We can't let this renegade traitor posing as a president get away with this.
Three step plan to deal with Trump:
- Vote him out in a landslide in November
- Charge him with treason and other crimes in January (Inauguration Day)
- Convict him in December
- Confiscate his ill gotten gains and imprison him for life in
January 2023
28
hmmmmm..... the water's real hot..... looks like the frog is done.
12
Barr is disgusting.
14
A guy named Drumpf unilaterally giving orders - what can go wrong!?
14
After the rebukes: Barr dreamt restlessly, as Trump whispered in his ear, quoting Elvis:
“Are you lonely tonight,
Do you miss me tonight,
Are you sorry we drifted apart?”
Barr awoke with a start...only to realize he had been awake...during this nightmare...all along.
9
Barr deludes himself into thinking the people at Main Justice are really stupid—that he can trick them with “impossible” and the fake think-about-threat-to-resign.
It’s so transparent. Their first question: “OK—but what did he DO? He’s still here.”
They will see it’s an attempt to shift attention away from the things Barr is doing to pervert the rule of law—to huff-and-puff about Trump-tweet.
Barr is a disgrace. His performance March 31 is sure to be a stomach-turner-gut-wrencher.
11
News flash: Mr. Barr--you have always been a hack, so what part of that job description are you now having difficulty with?
13
Let's at least do ALL WE CAN to toss out these Republican senators who are up for reelection in November, and who continue to support Trump:
AZ: Martha McSally
CO: Cory Gardner
GA: David Perdue
IA: Joni Ernst
KY: Mitch McConnell
ME: Susan Collins
NC: Thom Tillis
SC: Lindsey Graham
TX: John Cornyn
38
There’s your list of candidates for AG. Barr is disposable, Trump has binders full of toadies.
8
@fact or friction
Brilliant advice. Reads like the manifest of a true Ship of Fools.
Absolutely correct! Unless the senate is flipped, a new democratic president will be hamstrung. That said, at least we won’t be exposed to the 24-7, 365 lunacy of the thing in the White House.
The NYT claims it often can't say DT is lying because it's unable to get inside his head and determine his motivations. Yet they somehow know Barr is genuinely irritated.
9
@M.S. Irritation often shows, we can see when someone looks and sounds irritated.
Trump has no regard for what's true, anything that comes out of his mouth is likely to be false. I think the Times' reporting has made that clear. What exactly would be accomplished by using the word 'lie'?
Barr will fold, like every other Republican cheap suit.
11
Rudy is waiting in the wings...
12
And the complicit Senate will approve him.
1
Faux outrage from a disgusting individual who has been in lockstep with deplorable #1 since taking his position.
20
Hey, Mr. Unitary Executive! You created this monster.
14
Trump understands so little about how the justice system in the U.S. that it's hard to imagine how anyone who spent more than 10 minutes in law school can take him seriously. He wants judges to investigate Mueller? Hey Don, in the U.S. system judges don't investigate. That's what police agencies (like the FBI) do. If there is evidence of wrong doing, the police take what they have to a prosecutor. In most cases, the prosecutor takes the evidence and presents it to a grand jury, which may indict the malefactor. At trial, the judge rules on points of law and evidence and the jury (in a jury trial) delivers the verdict. Got it?
6
Unfortunately, he seemed to be know a lot about how things work.... otherwise he couldn’t work around them!
@David DiRoma The important and truly scary thing is that his base knows so little. To some extent they love him for his ignorance. He knows this and so even if an adviser tells him how things work he'll ignore that and revel in his ignorance and his base eats it up.
Trump may not understand how our legal system works literally. However, he certainly understands that those with money and power can make it work for themselves by hiring the right lawyers to manipulate the system to their advantage.
With Barr, Trump got his Roy Cohn to do exactly that.
1
Can someone please organize a huge multi-day demonstration in DC? It's time for the people to make clear we've had more than enough of this. Our democracy is in serious peril.
14
Why is the media normalizing Trump? If the head of your household took a baseball bat to the china cabinet and smashed it to bits, would you chalk it up to 'just Dad being Dad?' No, you'd call the police and an ambulance, have him carted off, and probably committed to an institution. But Trump, who has taken a proverbial baseball bat to the Constitution and to the Rule of Law, just swings away at his discretion, destroying everything in sight. And that's just fine by everyone? Boy, we have really heightened the bar on insanity here. There really is no hope at this point.
8
@H. Clark Actually there are dysfunctional families that will chalk such acts up to dad being dad.
We are now a dysfunctional country.
The Republicans are very good at stoking and exploiting fear. Fear tends to degrade thinking ability.
1
@H. Clark
Relax. We're just wsiting for Trump to be shooed out the door.
Bloomberg can tackle him easily and will do.
Then Trump can live out his days in prison. You'll never see Bloomberg pardoning him.
1
@H. Clark 100% agree. Someone above said that protocol doesn’t matter if he gets the job done. It is like saying I caught the train but I ran 3 red lights and hit a lady crossing the street. And oh yeah, it’s the wrong train.
2
Barr is just trying to play us.
He did Trump's bidding by interfering in the sentencing of Flynn
He created a means by which Giuliani could act like an agent of DOJ to report false information about Biden
He is promoting investigations into govt employees who testified against Trump
Then he floats a rumor that he might resign. Trump doesn't attack him. It's obviously a ruse.
13
@B Barr may well be genuinely upset that Trump is making things so obvious. It causes problems.
The question is, is Trump just unable to restrain himself or is this a conscious efforts to push the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Dictators like to flaunt their power. If they get away with the flaunting their power is enhanced plus their ego is gratified.
Conservatives and Trump have given us new standards. The standard for authenticity is cruelty. The standard for strength is bluster. The standard for competence is willful ignorance. The standard for truth is alternative facts or "I don't care. Do you?"
7
I can't believe I'm helping to pay the salary of someone who can't do their job and someone who doesn't know what his job really is. In each case it is Trump and Barr.
2
Sham sham sham. This is the specialty of authoritarian regimes.
8
If social media, namely Twitter, is so import to Mr. Trump getting his side of the story out, and social media is trying to clean up by ending the lies and misinformation circulating on their sites, the obvious question is, "Why is Twitter still giving Trump a platform to spread his lies and disinformation?" TWITTER, BE A GENUINE AMERICAN HERO PULL THE PLUG!
8
@tourmakeady los lunas, nm
yes please! Trump would be greatly silenced without Twitter and would be forced to get his messaging out through the traditional press, which has some standards of reporting and truth.
he has broken enough of twitter's rules to be banned from that platform - please twitter, do it!
@tourmakeady los lunas,
Follow the money.
We Americans created this horrible mess by believing the stupid slogan "Make America Great again'. And we have to end it in the next elections as our representatives failed to do it by impeaching the president. There is a parallel in history as Augustus became an emperor ending the Republic in Rome. How can we compare draft dodging Trump to Augustus who was a great general and statesman?
2
Dateline 2030, NYC. Publishers of U.S. History textbooks have determined that there is no longer room to fit-in references to, and portraits/pictures of Benedict Arnold and Jefferson Davis in sections about treason, with so many pages now having to be devoted to individuals like Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell and William Barr.
4
If what Mr Trump says is remotely correct and enforceable-there is nothing to prevent him from taking away the guns -all guns-from each and every American -as he gets to decide what is the law and whether any of it needs to effected or enforced.
He might even use federal law to reinstate slavery through penal servitude- Southerners did it-Trump is at least as arrogant.
1
Barr is desperate the Academy nominates him for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. In terms of his career arc, it does seem like they should consider him.
After all, he's doing everything the president wants while going deep into Method mode to choreograph a patina of independence and a shred of plausible deniability.
4
Wonder what Susan Collins has to say now.
9
She’s“concerned.” Murkowski is concerned too. Feel better?
1
@Gabrielle Rose Not much.
1
Mr. Barr will never resign. He is enabler of Trump and will continue do his bidding. Regrettably Washington Post and NY times are elevating Mr. Barr reputation.
7
“I hope the Federal Judges Association will discuss the tremendous FISA Court abuse that has taken place with respect to the Mueller Investigation Scam, including the forging of documents and knowingly using the fake and totally discredited Dossier before the Court,”
And how’s Eric Ciaramella doing?
1
We have ourselves a dictator...
7
This has to stop.
4
The idea that Barr might do anything honorable is absurd.
10
A President, unhinged, enraged and seeking revenge.
4
Please do not print: Barr's Irritation builds..
Don't you have enough examples of people working for Trump that they take steps only after careful review and approval by their boss. Barr is no innocent, he is the most corrupt cop we ever had in USA.
Barr's test for real American patriot:
Put criminal Trump and his cohorts in jail. -
3
Barr has made a deal with the Devil. He'll leave to become the next SC justice.
3
So now we have a DOJ AG who finds it "impossible" to do hs job. And an impeached prez with no legal education who "guesses" that he is "the chief law enforcer", but who "chooses not to get involved". Thus, we no longer live under a rule of law.
4
Oh dear! Poor AG Barr! He made a deal with the devil & now must reap the whirlwind.
It takes a special kind of arrogance to see the disaster that is this administration and somehow think you will rise above it.
Trump continues to wreak havoc on a daily basis on virtually every aspect of the normal and historical work of government. The proverbial Bull in a China shop. The problem with that is he is as dishonest and criminal as those he pardoned yesterday. The truly difficult part of all this is that we seriously have no way to stop his depredations There is no end to that damage he does.
It’s also a bit difficult to accept that Barr’s comments about resigning are completely honest. He has a long history of supporting executive power over everything. So we’re now to believe that he’s suddenly troubled by Trump’s excess and interference ? I’m not so sure this isn’t anything but a smoke screen: a leopard doesn’t change his spots overnight.
4
Resign already, dude. Resign.
4
The kabuki theater is to keep his family's social status in DC intact. He still wants power, remember the 18 page memo to get the second bit of the apple.
Said Barr on 5/31/2019, " I think that [at] my stage in life it really doesn’t make any difference. I am at the end of my career. Everyone dies, and I am not, you know, I don't believe in the Homeric idea that, you know, immortality comes by, you know, having odes sung about you over the centuries, you know?" NYT falls for Barr's long con game again. End of Story.
7
Bill Barr will 'wring his hands' then fade to do nothing ....emulating Susan Collins of Maine. Well both, know my hands will be steady and firm to vote you out of office, starting with the Donald, in November.
13
'l'état, c'est moi' - said the absolute monarch, Louis XIV - and now says Donald Trump. What next? He now overrides Election Law and declares himself President for Life? Apparently, he can...
11
Anyone who thinks Barr's departure will remedy the situation hasn't been paying attention. The ethics bar keeps lowering, so next we're likely to see Attorney General Guiliani step up.
8
If Mr. Barr has any integrity remaining, he would resign. There is no personal control by our president; he’s is the poster child for damaged goods.
See what a self-initiated advertisement for the US AG position will get you in this administration?
2
Go already!!
This is just more kabuki dancing. There is no integrity in Barr just as there is none in Trump.
4
And Trump is, once again, revealed to be the most corrupt president in the history of the US.
He is openly telling America that he will reward his rich friends for their bad behaviour. He continues to thumb his nose at the law; and why not, he doesn’t either understand it or care about it.
There will be more. The next round will be for his campaign associates.
And what does the Attorney General do to protect the rule of law in America? Nothing, absolutely nothing. He is exhibiting all the trademark attributes of a coward. AG (he does not deserve the title) Barr needs to ‘man-up’ and take some action to uphold the oath that he took when he became AG, or resign.
A new AG appointee will be hard to find. There will be another acting-AG until after the next election.
America - the rest of the world is begging you to find a new president. One that has some shred of moral and ethical decency. It won’t be hard to find one.
To the ‘base’ that elected Trump. Is this what you wanted? Do you stand with him? Are you as immoral as he is? Think about your own values and beliefs and look yourself in the mirror when you have that discussion.
Good luck America, we’re cheering for the return of sanity to your great nation - and it has always been a great nation, and Trumps little red hats won’t make it any better.
761
@Lew
I hope and pray this wonderful comment is not an Epitaph.
49
@Lew Will November 2020 finally show us the end of the Trump nightmare? Or will his megalomania be confirmed by the voters who gave us the first 4 years of the decline of America and the rise of the Trump autocracy?
35
@Lew I could not have said it better myself. Thank you for your thoughtful comments. The rest of the world is watching,America.
44
Give him an inch and he'll take a mile. Give him some rope and he'll hang us all.
4
I don't give a damn how "irritated" Barr is. He has undermined the rule of law and enabled the despot who employed him. He could resign today and Trump will have achieved his goals. Barr has been an unmitigated disaster.
6
Barr has gleefully played Trump's toady on totally despicable causes too many times.
If he is serious about his objections, let's see a little action. Until then, we can all assume this faux outrage has been scripted between Barr and Trump and he is simply kissing up to his boss once again.
9
Timothy Snyder, author of "On Tyranny" is shocked that the American people are not out on the streets protesting Trump's attempting takeover of our Justice system.
5
Are you kidding? This is like a dream come true for Billy Barr and the Federalist Society. ANY show of apprehension or calls for moderation are nothing but theater. They have an End Game, and they're 20 yards from the goal posts.
4
Setting the stage for overturning an elections. Come Nov. 4th we will no longer be a Republic.
3
Trump has to pardon Stone, he needs his help overturning the coming election.
2
---The president "...demanded a new trial for his friend Roger Stone...".
Uh...While many of the rest of us are wanting to see him on trial again. This time without the protection of a complicit Senate.
3
Stone is next, and after that, Weinstein. When you are running a criminal operation, it is important to jail all of the innocent people and release all of the criminals. This allows for stability in the nation. /s/
Mr. Barr will "rue the day" he threw his lot with Trump. He trashed whatever reputation he had and will go down in infamy as the most crooked AG in history.
3
@Paul
I doubt it.
He lacks wisdom.
We are going to need a designated US Attorney to intake citizen provided evidence against Donald Trump
1
Wow - Trump the authoritarian dictator unleashed. It is just as ugly and scary now that it is happening as I imagined it would be.
Hello dictatorship and goodby freedom America, your days of democracy are over.
4
Words cannot express how pleased I am that Trump's moronic, demeaning rants are now aimed at Bill Barr. May the barrage continue...
1
Mr. Barr is complicit.
6
@sues
So is the Chief Justice - who remains silent.
Barr is yet another fool who seems to think you can placate Trump and maintain some of your own power. (I am under no illusion he supports American democracy). Fool becomes tool, the story of all Trump associates.
4
Barr has already destroyed himself. Everything Trump touches dies, and Barr is no exception. HIs name will forever live in infamy as the worst, most corrupt AG in American history.
4
The President (or “President”) should not have a voice in pending litigation. That’s where Trump is so far off the mark on this. It’s not a matter of what “rights” he has. He’s in a singular role in this nation and doesn’t use his power carefully. He abuses it.
1
AG Barr has/had no use for Trump, BUT, he viewed him (that is why he wrote that memo supporting the President's stance on Mueller) as a person that could be led down a path of profoundly conservative, potentially illiberal, institutional politics that would establish a unitary executive branch that he and others (a minority, but made up of some bright folks) support. Result? Trump played Barr like drum. Again, another person that underestimated the mendacity, ignorance, and utter ruthlessness of President Trump. Barr will be history. The President will do as he pleases, at some point the President will win the battle or he will be impeached again, in his second term. A second term seems quite probably, in fact, if the President gets his way and runs against Sanders. This is what was behind the systematic attempt to destroy Biden and Warren: he desperately wants to run against Sanders. If he does, he may repeat Nixon in 1972, except maybe Trump will garner all 50 states rather than "just" the 49 out 50 states, Nixon received in 1972. We live in dark times politically. There is no reason to believe it will get any brighter soon.
3
Your back handed logic doesn’t work. The fear of progressive policies, that they make Sanders unelectable doesn’t jive with polls. Large majorities of voters support Sanders’ positions and in match ups against Trump he wins.
@adg
Will there be enough voters that see this? Will he be stopped? This crazy live soap opera is riveting, exhausting and terrifying. Media corporations must be raking in billions in ad profits.
Citizens in this country need to see and act upon the fact that Donald Trump is attempting to move to us into a dictatorship - which becomes more transparent by the day! Please, Please, Please demand that your community Electoral Board is guaranteeing you a tamper-proof vote to get this guy out of office in November. If it means paper ballots until the US can figure out how to have tamper-free vote casting, Russia will interfere with the 2020 election just as every Federal agency concurred and former Special Prosecutor stated when testifying about Russian tampering..."they are plotting as we sit here." And again, "The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion." And finally, the specificity of Mueller's testimony offered a wake up call to election officials and campaigns — and leaders in some states - who are not paying attention - are still resisting temper-proof vote casting. If we do not have free and tamper-proof vote casting in November, we as a democratic country are finished. That is not an exaggeration - it is the truth.
10
Trump pardons a den of miscreants and crosses the line of justice once again. It's hard to feel sorry for Barr, really. His philosophical and political stance on executive power is now being tested, and all of a sudden, he is finding out what it looks like from the receiving end.
4
Trump's words -- Yes, I'm interfering with Barr's job.
Trump's actions -- That's exactly what I WANT to do.
2
One would hope that Mr. Barr will now understand why his "unitary executive theory" does not really work when the President is a sociopath.
However, anybody who has been paying attention would know that Trump has been a sociopath for decades, which means that this must be another "made for TV" reality show drama, designed to keep the audience guessing.
3
As Malcolm X pointed out, and Barr should know, the chickens are coming home to roost.
2
In Trump's mind, Bill Barr was hired to help him navigate the many implications implicit in the Mueller report. A second objective was to assist with navigating the impeachment process. Barr helped him accomplish both and thus has run out of shelf life so to speak. So the next objective is to create enough chaos that either forces Barr to leave or which allows Trump to fire him.
Trump is a transactional man. There are no morals, no ethics, no rules, but just a bunch of objectives that need to get done. Most of the objectives are grounded in growing his business empire and benefiting the self. Usefulness and relevancy to the nation is only an incidental part of that larger greed.
He will use anything in his playbook to get them done. If we did not get used to it over the last 3 years, then maybe we should at least recognize it now so that the next 10 months (and god forbid the 4 years after that) will not seem like a never ending nightmare. At least we will know that this nightmare has a shelf life.
5
Does any of this surprise anyone? It is disgusting, sickening, depressing and enraging, yes -- but not surprising.
America was on a precipice before Barr and his republican cronies unfettered the monster. It is clear America is going over the edge, only now trump has been given permission -- by those same reprehensible people -- to do the pushing.
4
This is nothing more than cover for Barr. Let's not lionize this guy who auditioned for this job by creating a position paper that claimed that POTUS is omnipotent and above the law. Barr is the reason why OJ Trump escaped Impeachment.
He is no better than Rudi or Cippalone.
3
And as King Trump the 1st proclaims, « Off with their heads! », this American citizen asks when do We The People get our democracy back?
Few people have been more responsible than Barr in enabling Trump to think that he can get away with anything. Barr's stated concerns now, are sick and laughable.
4