.
THE CHAIR IS AUTHORIZED TO
DECLARE RECESS AT ANY TIME AND
WE WELCOME, WE WELCOME EVERYONE
TO THIS MORNING'S HEARING ON
OVERSIGHT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE.
I APOLOGIZE FOR GETTING THE
HEARING LATE, AS MANY OF YOU
KNOW I WAS IN A MINOR CAR
ACCIDENT ON THE WAY IN THIS
MORNING.
EVERYONE IS FINE, EXCEPT PERHAPS
THE CAR.
BUT IT DID CAUSE SIGNIFICANT
DELAY.
I THINK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND
THE MEMBERS FOR THEIR PATIENCE
AND FLEXIBILITY AND WE WILL NOW
BEGIN.
BEFORE WE BEGIN, I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE AND NOTE THAT WE ARE
JOINED THIS MORNING BY THE
DISTINGUISHED MAJORITY LEADER,
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MAIA --
MARYLAND, LEADER HOYER, WHO HAS
LONG RECOGNIZED THE NEED FOR
VIGOROUS CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT
OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH UNDER
BOTH PARTIES AND WE APPRECIATE
HIS PRESENCE TODAY AS WE
QUESTION THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
BEFORE WE BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO
REMIND MEMBERS THAT WE HAVE AN
ESTABLISHED EMAIL DISTRIBUTION
LIST DEDICATED TO CIRCULATING
EXHIBITS, MOTIONS, AND OTHER
MATERIALS MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO
OFFER.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT
MATERIALS, SEND THEM TO THE
EMAIL ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY
DISTRIBUTED TO YOUR OFFICES AND
WE WILL CIRCULATE THOSE
MATERIALS TO MEMBERS AND STAFF
AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
I WOULD REMIND ALL MEMBERS THAT
GUIDANCE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE
ATTENDING PHYSICIAN'S STATES
THAT FACE COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED
FOR ALL MEETINGS AND ENCLOSED
SPACES SUCH AS THIS COMMITTEE
HEARING AND I EXPECT ALL MEMBERS
ON BOTH SIDES TO WEAR A MASK
EXCEPT WHEN YOU ARE SPEAKING.
I WILL NOW RECOGNIZE MYSELF FOR
AN OPENING STATEMENT.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, MR.
BARR.
ACCORDING TO THE CONGRESSIONAL
RESEARCH SERVICE, THIS IS THE
FIRST TIME YOU HAVE APPEARED
BEFORE THE HOUSE JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE, BOTH DURING YOUR
FIRST TENURE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL
30 YEARS AGO ENTERING YOUR
CURRENT SERVICE IN THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION.
WELCOME.
100 AND 50 YEARS AGO LAST MONTH,
IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE CIVIL
WAR, CONGRESS CREATED THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
WE DID SO WITH TWO MISSIONS IN
MIND.
FIRST, WE WANTED TO REPLACE A
SYSTEM OF PARTY SPOILS WITH A
CORE OF PROFESSIONAL GOVERNMENT
ATTORNEYS.
YES, THEY WOULD BE SUPERVISED BY
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND YES,
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD
REMAIN A POLITICAL APPOINTEE,
BUT AT ITS HEART, THE DEPARTMENT
WOULD RELY ON A FOUNDATION OF
PROFESSIONALS DEDICATED TO THE
IMPARTIAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE
LAW AND AN UNBIASED SYSTEM OF
JUSTICE.
SECOND, CONGRESS ESTABLISHED THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO ENFORCE
THE NATION'S FIRST CIVIL RIGHTS
LAW'S AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.
FROM THAT MOMENT ON IT BECAME
THAT DEPARTMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY
TO ENSURE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND
STEM THE TIDE OF SYSTEMIC
RACISM.
NOW, NOT EVERY ATTORNEY GENERAL
IN THE INTERVENING YEARS HAS
GIVEN FULL EXPRESSION TO THESE
GOALS.
I'M CERTAIN THAT EVERY
ADMINISTRATION HAS FALLEN SHORT
OF THOSE PROMISES IN SOME WAY
OVER TIME, BUT TODAY UNDER YOUR
LEADERSHIP, SIR, THESE TWO
OBJECTIVES ARE MORE AT RISK THAN
AT ANY TIME IN MODERN HISTORY.
YOUR TENURE HAS BEEN MARRED BY
PERSISTENT WAR AGAINST THE
DEPARTMENT'S PROFESSIONAL CORE
IN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO SECURE
FAVORS FOR THE PRESIDENT.
OTHERS HAVE LOST SIGHT OF THE
IMPORTANCE OF CIVIL RIGHTS
LAW'S, BUT NOW WE SEE THE FULL
FORCE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
BROUGHT TO BEAR AGAINST CITIZENS
DEMONSTRATING FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR OWN CIVIL
RIGHTS.
THERE IS NO PRECEDENT FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO
ACTIVELY SEEK OUT CONFLICT WITH
AMERICAN CITIZENS UNDER SUCH
FLIMSY PRETEXT FOR SUCH PETTY
PURPOSES.
150 YEARS LATER, WE ARE AGAIN AT
A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN THE NATION'S
HISTORY AND WE ARE CONFRONTED
WITH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT HAS
KILLED 100 AND 50,000 AMERICANS
AND INFECTED 16 MILLION
WORLDWIDE.
WE ARE COMING TO GRIPS WITH A
CIVIL RIGHTS STRUGGLE LONG SWEPT
UNDER THE RUG IF NOT OUTRIGHT
IGNORED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
AS A NATION WE ARE WITNESSING
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TURNED
VIOLENTLY ON ITS OWN PEOPLE AND
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE
TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE
PEOPLE BELONGS SQUARELY TO
PRESIDENT TRUMP, HE COULD NOT
HAVE DONE THIS ALONE.
HE NEEDED HELP.
AFTER HE FINISHED UTTERLY
HUMILIATING HIS FIRST ATTORNEY
GENERAL, HE FOUND YOU.
IN YOUR TIME AT THE DEPARTMENT,
YOU HAVE AIDED AND ABETTED THE
WORST FAILINGS OF THE PRESIDENT.
LET US RECOUNT JUST SOME OF THE
DECISIONS THAT HAVE LEFT US
DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE
APARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
FIRST, UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP THE
DEPARTMENT HAS ENDANGERED
AMERICANS AND VIOLATED THEIR
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS BY
FLOODING FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
INTO THE STREETS OF AMERICAN
CITIES AGAINST OF THE WISHES OF
THE STATES AND LOCAL LEADERS OF
THE CITIES TO FORCIBLY AND
UNCONSTITUTIONALLY SUPPRESS
DISSENT.
SECOND, IF YOUR DIRECTION THE
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS HAVE
DOWNPLAYED THE EFFECTS OF
SYSTEMIC RACISM AND ABANDONED
THE VICTIMS OF POLICE BRUTALITY.
REFUSED TO HOLD ABUSIVE POLICE
DEPARTMENTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR
THEIR ACTIONS AND EXPRESSED OPEN
HOSTILITY TO THE BLACK LIVES
MATTER MOVEMENT.
THIRD, IN CONNECTION AND
COORDINATION WITH THE WHITE
HOUSE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SPREAD
DISINFORMATION ABOUT VOTER
FRAUD, FAILED TO ENFORCE VOTING
RIGHTS LAWS, AND ATTEMPTED TO
CHANGE THE CENSUS RULES TO
FLAUNT TO THE PLAIN TEXT OF THE
CONSTITUTION AND EVEN DEFIED
COURT ORDERS ON THE SUBJECT.
ALL IN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO
ASSIST THE PRESIDENT'S
REELECTION.
FOURTH, AT THE PRESIDENTS WERE
ASKED, THE DEPARTMENT HAS
AMPLIFIED THE PRESIDENTS
CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND SHIELDED
HIM FROM RESPONSIBILITY BY
BLATANTLY MISREPRESENTING THE
MUELLER REPORT AND FAILING TO
HOLD FOREIGN ACTORS ACCOUNTABLE
FOR ATTACKS ON OUR ELECTION,
UNDERMINING BOTH NATIONAL
SECURITY AND THE DEPARTMENT MUST
PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN THE
PROCESS.
FIFTH, AGAIN AND AGAIN, YOU,
PERSONALLY, HAVE INTERFERED WITH
ONGOING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
TO PROTECT THE PRESIDENT AND HIS
ALLIES FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF
HIS ACTIONS.
WHEN CAREER INVESTIGATORS AND
PROSECUTORS RESISTED THESE
BRAZEN UNPRECEDENTED ACTIONS,
YOU REPLACED THEM WITH LESS
QUALIFIED STAFF WHO APPEARED TO
BE SINGULARLY BEHOLDEN TO YOU.
THE MESSAGE THAT THESE ACTIONS
SEND IS CLEAR.
IN THIS JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, THE
PRESIDENTS ENEMIES WILL BE
PUNISHED AND HIS FRIENDS WILL BE
PROTECTED, NO MATTER THE COSTS,
NO MATTER THE COSTS THE LIBERTY,
NO MATTER THE COSTS TO JUSTICE.
FINALLY, PERHAPS MOST PERNICIOUS
LEAGUE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS
PLACED THE PRESIDENTS POLITICAL
NEEDS OVER THE PUBLIC HEALTH BY
CHALLENGING STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS
IN THE STATES HIT HARDEST BY THE
PANDEMIC.
THE DEPARTMENT'S PERSISTENT
EFFORTS TO GOT THE AFFORDABLE
CARE MAKE RECOVERY THAT WAS
HARDER.
THESE ACTIONS COME AT A PRICE.
REAL DAMAGE TO DEMOCRATIC NORMS,
THE EROSION OF THE SEPARATION OF
POWERS, AND A LOSS OF FAITH IN
THE EQUAL ADMINISTRATION OF
JUSTICE.
IN THE HANDS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP,
A DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE THAT
ADOPTS A DANGEROUSLY EXPANSIVE
VIEW OF EXECUTIVE POWER AND
DEMONSTRATES A WILLINGNESS TO
SHIELD HIM FROM ACCOUNTABILITY
REPRESENTS A DIRECT THREAT TO
THE LIBERTY AND SAFETY OF THE
COUNTRY.
AND WE WERE WARNED.
IN YOUR CONFIRMATION HEARING,
PROFESSOR NEIL KING TESTIFIED
THAT PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE
RULE OF LAW DEPENDS ON THERE
BEING AN ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT
WON'T ALLOW THE PRESIDENT TO DO
WHATEVER HE WANTS WITH THE
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.
WILLIAM BARR'S VIEWS OF
PRESIDENTIAL POWER ARE SO
RADICALLY MISTAKEN THAT HE IS
SIMPLY THE WRONG MAN AT THE
WRONG TIME TO BE ATTORNEY
GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
AGAIN, THIS FAILURE OF
LEADERSHIP COMES AT GREAT COSTS.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TWISTED
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INTO A
SHADOW OF ITS FORMER SELF,
CAPABLE OF SERVING MOST
AMERICANS ONLY AFTER IT HAS
FIRST SERVED THOSE IN POWER.
THE COMMITTEE HAS A
RESPONSIBILITY HAD -- TO PROTECT
AMERICANS FROM THAT KIND OF
CORRUPTION.
WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO
ENSURE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
AND ITS ATTORNEY GENERAL
ADMINISTER JUSTICE LEE IN
FAIRLY.
THIS IS WHAT HAS BROUGHT US TO
THE HEARING ROOM TODAY.
WE WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO
RESPOND TO OUR QUESTIONS ON
THESE AND OTHER MATTERS AND WE
HOPE AND EXPECT THAT YOU WILL DO
SO IN A CLEAR AND FORTHRIGHT
MANNER.
OUR MEMBERS EXPECT SINCERE
ANSWERS TODAY AND OUR COUNTRY
DESERVES NO LESS.
I NOW RECOGNIZE THE RANKING
MEMBER OF THE JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM
OHIO, MR. JORDAN, FOR HIS
OPENING STATEMENTS.
>> SPYING, THAT ONE WORD, THAT
IS WHAT THEY ARE AFTER YOU FOR.
2019 IN A SENTENCE -- PUTTING
19, YOU SAID THAT SPYING ON A
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN IS A BIG
DEAL.
SPYING ON A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN
IS A BIG DEAL.
IT SURE IS.
SINCE THAT DAY I MUST THAT DAY,
WHEN YOU HAD THE COURAGE TO
STATE THE TRUTH, THEY ATTACK TO
YOU AND HAVE BEEN ATTACKING YOU
EVERY SENSE, EVERY DAY, EVERY
WEEK, SIMPLY FOR STATING THE
TRUTH THAT THE OBAMA BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION SPIED ON THE
TRUMP CAMPAIGN.
ONE YEAR AGO "THE NEW YORK
TIMES" SAID THIS --
PAYING AN AIDE TO INVESTIGATE,
SENDING A YOUNG LADY TO MEET
PAPADOPOULOS.
THEY SAID SOMEONE PRETENDING TO
BE SOMEONE ELSE WAS SENT TO MEET
A PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THE
TRUMP CAMPAIGN.
YOU KNOW WHAT THEY CALL THAT?
YOU KNOW WHAT THEY CALL THAT?
SPYING.
ONE MONTH LATER, OCTOBER OF
2016, THEY USE THE DOSSIER TO
FIRE CARTER PAGE.
A SALACIOUS, UNVERIFIED
DOSSIERS.
JIM COMEY'S WORDS.
SAID THEY DIDN'T TELL THE COURT
THAT THE GUY WHO WROTE THE
DOCUMENT HAD ALREADY
COMMUNICATED TO THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT THAT HE WAS DESPERATE
TO STOP TRUMP FROM GETTING
ELECTED.
GUESS WHAT? THERE WERE 15 MORE
LIES THAT THEY TOLD THE COURT.
17 IN TOTAL, OUTLINED BY THE
INSPECTOR GENERAL.
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM IN
HIS 400 PAGE REPORT.
GUESS WHAT? CHAIRMAN NADLER
REFUSES TO ALLOW MR. HORWITZ TO
COME ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE 17 LIES THAT THE OBAMA
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TOLD TO THE
SECRET COURT.
THE OBAMA BIDEN DOJ OPENED THE
INVESTIGATION IN JULY AND USED A
SECRET AGENT LADY IN AUGUST AND
LIED TO THE COURT IN SEPTEMBER.
THEY DID ALL OF THIS WITHOUT ANY
BASIS FOR LAUNCHING THE
INVESTIGATION TO BEGIN WITH.
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT? HOW DO WE
KNOW THERE WAS NO BASIS?
THEY TOLD US.
THEY DIDN'T WANT TO, BUT THANKS
TO GRENELL, WHO RELEASED THE
TRANSCRIPT OF THEIR TESTIMONY,
WE NOW KNOW THAT THERE WAS NO
BASIS FOR THEM TO START THE
INVESTIGATION IN THE FIRST
PLACE.
SUSAN RICE, HERE'S WHAT SHE
SAID.
"I DON'T RECALL INTELLIGENCE I
WOULD CONSIDER EVIDENCE OF A
CONSPIRACY."
HOW ABOUT JAMES CLAPPER? "I
NEVER SAW ANY EVIDENCE THAT THE
TRUMP CAMPAIGN WAS CONSPIRING
WITH THE RUSSIANS TO MEDDLE IN
THE ELECTION."
SAY THAT AGAIN, "I NEVER SAW
EVIDENCE," YET THEY INVESTIGATE
HIM.
THERE WAS NEVER A PROPER
PREDICATE, SO WHY DID THEY DO
IT?
THEY TOLD US THAT, TOO.
PETER STRZOK, AUGUST 2016, ASKED
, IS TRUMP GOING TO WIN? WHAT
WAS HIS RESPONSE?
MEMBER, THIS IS STRUCK, THE GUY
THAT WON THE -- RUN -- RAN THE
INVESTIGATION.
"NO, NO HE'S NOT, WE'LL STOP IT.
OCTOBER, THEY USE THE FAKE
DOSSIER IN THE COURT.
GUESS WHAT HAPPENS IN NOVEMBER?
GUESS WHAT HAPPENS IN NOVEMBER?
NOVEMBER 8, 2016, THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE GET IN THEIR WAY.
63 MILLION OF THEM TO BE BACK.
NOW EVERYTHING CHANGES.
NOW THE REAL FOCUS IS WHILE,
WAIT A MINUTE, WE DIDN'T STOP
HIM, HE WON.
NOW WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO DO?
THEY HAVE TO DO THE COVER UP.
WHO DO THEY HAVE TO GO AFTER?
WHO IS TARGET NUMBER ONE?
THE FORMER HEAD OF THE DEFENSE
INTELLIGENCE AGENCY.
THE GUY ABOUT TO BECOME NATIONAL
SECURITY ADVISOR TO THE
PRESIDENT, MICHAEL FLYNN.
THEY CAN'T HAVE HIM HANGING
AROUND, HE WILL FIGURE IT OUT.
SO, THEY DECIDE TO GO AFTER
MICHAEL FLYNN.
AND WE KNOW THEY WENT AFTER HIM
BECAUSE THEY TOLD US THAT, TOO.
THE HEAD OF COUNTERINTELLIGENCE
AT THE FBI, THE DAY THEY
INTERVIEWED HIM, 2017, WHAT TO
HIS NOTES SAY?
THE GOAL IS TO GET FLYNN TO LIES
OF THE BEACON PROCESS HIM OR TO
GET HIM FIRED.
THINK ABOUT WHAT THE OBAMA DOJ,
WHAT THEIR ADMINISTRATION DID IN
THE LAST MONTH THEY WERE IN
POWER FOURTH -- THEY WERE
EMPOWERED? JANUARY 4, THE FAMOUS
MEETING IN THE OVAL OFFICE, THEY
ARE ALL IN THEIR PLOTTING A
STRATEGY.
JANUARY 6, THE TRUMP TOWER IN
BRIEFS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT ON
THE DOSSIER THAT THEY ALREADY
KNOW IS FALSE JUST SO THAT THEY
CAN THINK TO THE PRESS AND THE
PRESS AND WRITE THE STORY THAT
HE WAS BRIEF.
AND OF COURSE, JANUARY 24, THE
DAY THAT THEY GO TO SET UP
MICHAEL FLYNN, SET UP MICHAEL
FLYNN IN HIS INTERVIEW.
GUESS WHAT ELSE THEY DID?
GUESS WHAT ELSE THEY DID BETWEEN
ELECTION DAY AND INAUGURATION
DAY? 38 PEOPLE 49 TIMES UNMASK
HIS NAME.
COMEY, KLAPPER, BIDEN, SEVEN
PEOPLE AT THE TREASURY
DEPARTMENT UNMASK HIS NAME FOR
GOODNESS SAKES.
OF COURSE, HE RESIGNS ON
FEBRUARY 13.
HE RESIGNS ON FEBRUARY 13.
NOW THE COVER-UP IS COMPLETE.
FLYNN IS GONE, EVERYTHING IS
FINE, THEY THINK, UNTIL MAY 9,
2017, WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP FIRES
JIM COMEY.
NOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AGAIN.
THE GUY WHO WAS GOING TO KEEP IT
ALL I IT HAS BEEN FIRED.
NOW HOW DO THEY CONTINUE THE
COVER-UP?
REAL SIMPLE.
JIM COMEY LEAKS HIS MEMOS WITH
THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF GETTING A
SPECIAL COUNSEL APPOINTED TO
INVESTIGATE SOMETHING THEY KNOW
ISN'T TRUE, WHICH IS EXACTLY
WHAT HAPPENED.
TWO YEARS, 500 WITNESSES, $30
MILLION IN COSTS TO THE TAXPAYER
AND THEY COME BACK WITH NOTHING,
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
SO, ALL THEY HAVE GOT LEFT IS TO
ATTACK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO
HAD THE RAGE TO STATE THE TRUTH
FROM THE GET-GO THE FIRST TIME
THAT HE TESTIFIED.
YOU GUYS ATTACK HIM EVERY DAY,
EVERY WEEK, NO YOU FILE ARTICLES
OF IMPEACHMENT.
IT'S RIDICULOUS.
HE HAD THE COURAGE TO DO WHAT NO
ONE ELSE WOULD DO AT THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT.
SALLY YATES WOULDN'T CALL IT
SPYING.
ROD ROSENSTEIN WOULDN'T DO IT.
CHRIS WADE SURE AS HECK ISN'T
GOING TO DO IT.
MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL, I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE COURAGE
TO CALL IT WHAT IT WAS, SPYING,
FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO SAY
THAT WE ARE GETTING THE POLITICS
OUT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
THAT HAD BEEN THERE IN THE
PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND MOST
OF LATE, WE WILL BE TALKING
ABOUT THIS ON OUR SIDE OF
RUSSIAN, THANK YOU FOR DEFENDING
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
FOR POINTING OUT WHAT A CRAZY
IDEA THE DEFUND THE POLICE
POLICY, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO
CALL IT, IS, AND STANDING UP FOR
THE RULE OF LAW.
WE HAVE A VIDEO WE WANT TO SHOW
THE THREAT TO THIS.
CAN WE PLAY THAT VIDEO, PLEASE?
[NO AUDIO]
COLLECTS CLEAR AND HOW I
CHARACTERIZE IT.
IT'S MOSTLY A PROTEST.
IT IS NOT, GENERALLY SPEAKING,
UNRULY.
X PEACEFUL PROTESTS.
X PEACEFUL PROTESTS.
>> PEACEFUL PROTESTS.
>> PEACEFUL PROTESTS.
>> PEACEFUL PROTESTS.
>> PEACEFUL PROTESTS.
>> PEACEFUL PROTESTS.
>> PEACEFUL PROTESTERS.
>> I HAVE ASKED MYSELF, MY
CHILDREN AND MY FAMILY, WE WOULD
LIKE TO THANK FRIENDS,
NEIGHBORS, COWORKERS, AND THE
COMMUNITY FOR THE LOVE AND
SUPPORT AFTER THE TRAGIC LOSS OF
MY HUSBAND, MY BELOVED HUSBAND
DAVID DORN.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE
METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND
PERSEVERANCE IN THIS
INVESTIGATION, AS WELL AS THE
CIRCUIT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO THE
CITY OF ST. LOUIS, RETIRING AT
THE RANK OF CAPTAIN AFTER 38
YEARS OF DISTINGUISHABLE
SERVICE.
HE WAS A CHIEF FOR SIX YEARS AND
DURING THOSE YEARS HE TOUCHED SO
MANY LIVES AS A FRIEND, MENTOR,
COWORKER, AND GUARDIAN.
HIS LIFE WAS TAKEN FROM ME, FROM
US, BY AN OPPORTUNIST WHO HAD NO
REGARDS FOR HUMAN LIFE OR THE
LAW.
THIS DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN.
IT MUST'VE BEEN GOD'S PLAN FOR
DAVID.
WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS A
COMMUNITY INTO BETTER, TEACH OUR
YOUNG PEOPLE THAT LIFE IS VERY
PRECIOUS.
AS A FAMILY WE ARE GOING TO BE
TAKING SOME TIME TO FOCUS OUR
ATTENTION ON HEALING.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS WE MOVE
FORWARD.
WE WOULD LIKE DAVID'S LEGACY TO
BE THAT OF A LOVING HUSBAND,
FATHER, GRANDFATHER, BROTHER,
UNCLE, FRIEND, COLLEAGUE, AND
MOST IMPORTANTLY A CHILD OF GOD.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL
FOR COMING, GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
[SCREAMING]
[BLANK]
[NO AUDIO]
>> OH, YEAH.
>> TURN THE SOUND DOWN.
[BARKING DOGS]
[SHOUTING]
>> TURN THE SOUND DOWN.
[SHOUTING]
[CHANTING]
[SHOUTING]
>> I HOPE MR. JORDAN WILL NEVER
COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LENGTH OF MY
OPENING STATEMENT.
WITHOUT OBJECTION I WILL INSERT
THE COMMITTEES AUDIOVISUAL
POLICY INTO THE RECORD OF THIS
HEARING.
AND NOTE THE MINORITY DO NOT
GIVE THE COMMITTEE THE 48 HOUR
NOTICE REQUIRED BY THAT POLICY.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, OTHER OPENING
STATEMENTS WILL BE INCLUDED IN
THE RECORD.
I WILL NOW INTRODUCE TODAY'S
WITNESSES.
WILLIAM BARR HAS SERVED AS THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED
STATES SINCE FEBRUARY 14, 2019,
HAVING PREVIOUSLY SERVED IN THE
SAME POSITION FROM 1991 TO 1993
UNDER PRESIDENT GEORGE H. W.
BUSH.
HE ALSO SERVED AS DEPUTY AND
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL AND
THE OFFICE OF LEGAL COUNSEL
UNDER THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION,
WAS A MEMBER OF THE DOMESTIC
POLICY STAFF UNDER PRESIDENT
REAGAN, SERVED IN THE CENTRAL
INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, AND WAS A
LAW CLERK FOR THE U.S. COURT OF
APPEALS FOR THE D.C. CIRCUIT
JUDGE IN ADDITION TO HIS HE DID
GET PUBLIC SERVICE, HE ALSO HAS
EXTENSIVE SERVICE PLAQUE TO --
PRACTICING LAW IN THE PRIVATE
SECTOR.
HE RECEIVED HIS MA FROM KOBE
UNIVERSITY AND A JD FROM GEORGE
WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF LAW.
WE WELCOME THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
AND WE THANK HIM FOR
PARTICIPATING TODAY.
IF YOU WOULD PLEASE RISE, I WILL
BEGIN BY SWEARING YOU IN.
IF YOU COULD RAISE YOUR RIGHT
HAND, OR LEFT-HAND.
DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM THE
TESTIMONY YOU ARE ABOUT TO GIVE
IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST
OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, INFORMATION,
AND BELIEF, SO HELP YOU GOD.
LET THE RECORD SHOW THE WITNESS
HAS ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
THANK YOU AND PLEASE BE SEATED.
PLEASE NOTE THE WRITTEN
STATEMENT WILL BE ENTERED INTO
THE RECORD IN ITS ENTIRETY.
I ASK THAT YOU SUMMARIZE YOUR
TESTIMONY IN FIVE MINUTES.
TO HELP YOU STAY WITHIN THAT
TIME, THERE IS A TIMING LIGHT ON
YOUR TABLE.
WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCHES FROM
GREEN TO YELLOW, YOU HAVE ONE
MINUTE TO CONCLUDE YOUR
TESTIMONY.
WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS RED IT
SIGNALS YOUR FIVE MINUTES HAVE
EXPIRED.
MR. BARR, YOU MAY BEGIN.
A.G. BARR: GOOD MORNING MR.
CHAIRMAN, RANKING MEMBER JORDAN.
I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE THIS
MORNING.
ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE I WANT TO PAY MY
RESPECTS TO YOUR COLLEAGUE,
CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS.
AN INDOMITABLE CHAMPION OF CIVIL
RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW.
I THINK IT IS ESPECIALLY
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER TODAY HE
PURSUED HIS CAUSE PASSIONATELY
AND SUCCESSFULLY WITH UNWAVERING
COMMITMENT TO NONVIOLENCE.
AS I SAID IN MY CONFIRMATION
HEARING, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
HAS THE UNIQUE OBLIGATION.
HE HOLDS IN TRUST THE FAIR AND
IMPARTIAL ADMINISTRATION OF
JUSTICE.
HE MUST ENSURE THERE IS ONE
STANDARD OF JUSTICE THAT APPLIES
TO EVERYONE EQUALLY AND CRIMINAL
CASES ARE HANDLED EVENHANDEDLY
BASED ON THE LAW AND THE FACTS
AND WITHOUT REGARD TO POLITICAL
OR PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS.
I CAN TELL YOU I HAVE HANDLED
CRIMINAL MATTERS THAT HAVE COME
TO ME FOR DECISION IN THIS WAY.
THE PRESIDENT HAS NOT ATTEMPTED
TO INTERFERE IN THESE DECISIONS.
ON THE CONTRARY HE HAS TOLD ME
FROM THE START THAT HE EXPECTS
ME TO EXERCISE MY INDEPENDENT
JUDGMENT TO MAKE WHATEVER CALL I
THINK IS RIGHT AND THAT IS
PRECISELY WHAT I HAVE DONE.
IT IS BECAUSE I FEEL COMPLETE
FREEDOM TO DO WHAT I THINK IS
RIGHT THAT INDUCED ME TO SERVE
ONCE AGAIN AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.
AS YOU JUST SAID, MR. CHAIRMAN,
I SERVED UNDER PRESIDENT H W
BUSH, AND AFTER THAT I SPENT
MANY YEARS IN THE CORPORATE
WORLD.
I AM ALMOST 70 YEARS OLD AND
SLIPPING HAPPILY INTO
RETIREMENT.
I AM NOTHING TO PROVE AND NO
DESIRE TO RETURN TO GOVERNMENT.
I HAD NO PRIOR RELATIONSHIP WITH
PRESIDENT TRUMP.
LET ME TURN BLEAKLY TO THE
SEVERAL -- LET ME TURN BRIEFLY
TO THE SEVERAL PRESSING ISSUES
OF THE DAY.
THE HORRIBLE KILLING OF GEORGE
FLOYD IN MINNEAPOLIS
UNDERSTANDABLY JARRED THE
COUNTRY AND FORCED US TO REFLECT
ON LONG-STANDING ISSUES IN THE
NATION THOSE ISSUES RELATE TO
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND THE
AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
GIVEN OUR HISTORY, IT IS
UNDERSTANDING THAT AMONG BLACK
AMERICANS THERE'LL BE SOME
AMBIVALENCE AND DISTRUST TOWARDS
THE POLICE.
UNTIL JUST 50 YEARS AGO OR SO,
OUR LAWS AND OUR INSTITUTIONAL
WERE EXPLICITLY RACIST,
EXPLICITLY DISCRIMINATORY.
IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE 1960'S THAT
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN TEARING
DOWN THE JIM CROW EDIFICE.
OUR LAWS FINALLY CAME TO
FORMALLY EMBODY THE GUARANTEE OF
EQUAL PROTECTION.
SINCE THEN THE WORK OF SECURING
CIVIL RIGHTS HAS FOCUSED ON
REFORMING INSTITUTIONS TO ENSURE
THEY BETTER CONFORM TO OUR LAWS
INTO OUR ASPIRATIONS.
THAT WORK IS IMPORTANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE -- THAT WORK, IT IS
IMPORTANT TO A KNOWLEDGE, HAS
BEEN INCREASINGLY SUCCESSFUL.
POLICE FORCES ARE FAR MORE
DIVERSE MAY HAVE BEEN, THEY'RE
MORE BLACK POLICE CHIEFS AND
BLACK OFFICERS IN THE RANKS.
ALTHOUGH THE DEATH OF GEORGE
FLOYD AT THE HANDS OF POLICE WAS
A SHOCKING EVENT, THE FACT IS
THESE EVENTS ARE FORTUNATELY
QUITE RARE.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS COMPILED
BY THE WASHINGTON POST, THE
NUMBER OF UNARMED BLACK MAN
KILLED BY POLICE SO FAR THIS
YEAR IS EIGHT.
THE NUMBER OF UNARMED WHITE MEN
KILLED OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF
TIME IS 11.
THE OVERALL NUMBERS OF POLICE
SHOOTINGS HAVE BEEN DECREASING.
NEVERTHELESS, EVERY INSTANCE OF
EXCESSIVE FORCE IS UNACCEPTABLE,
AND MUST BE ADDRESSED
APPROPRIATELY THROUGH LEGAL
PROCESS AS IS HAPPENING NOW IN
MINNEAPOLIS.
APART FROM THE NUMBERS, I THINK
THESE EVENTS STRIKE A DEEP CHORD
IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY BECAUSE
THEY ARE PERCEIVED AS
MANIFESTATIONS OF A DEEPER
LINGERING CONCERN THAT IN
ENCOUNTERS WITH POLICE, BLACKS
WILL NOT BE TREATED
EVENHANDEDLY.
THEY WILL NOT BE GIVEN THE
BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AND TREATED
WITH GREATER SUSPICION.
SENATOR TIM SCOTT HAS RECOUNTED
THE NUMEROUS TIMES HE HAS BEEN
UNJUSTIFIABLY PULLED OVER ON
CAPITOL HILL, AND AS ONE
PROMINENT BLACK PROFESSIONAL IN
WASHINGTON SAID TO ME, AFRICAN
AMERICANS ALSO -- OFTEN FEEL
TREATED AS SUSPECTS FIRST AND
CITIZEN SECOND.
I THINK THESE CONCERNS ARE
LEGITIMATE.
AT THE SAME TIME I THINK IT
WOULD BE AN OVERSIMPLIFIED -- AN
OVERSIMPLIFICATION TO TREAT THE
PROBLEM AS A RACISM INFECTING
OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IT SEEMS MORE LIKELY THE PROBLEM
EXTENDS FROM A COMPLEX MIX OF
FACTORS THAT CAN BE ADDRESSED
OVER TIME.
MEET -- WE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
MUST BE CONSCIOUS OF THE
CONCERNS AND ENSURE WE DO NOT
HAVE TWO SYSTEMS OF JUSTICE.
UNFORTUNATELY, SOME HAVE CHOSEN
TO RESPOND TO GEORGE FLOYD'S
DEATH IN A FAR LESS CONSTRUCTIVE
WAY, MAKING GROSSLY
IRRESPONSIBLE PROPOSALS TO
DEFUND THE POLICE.
THE DEMONIZATION OF THE PLACES
NOT ONLY UNFAIR AND INCONSISTENT
WITH PRINCIPLES THAT ALL PEOPLE
SHOULD BE TREATED AS
INDIVIDUALS, BUT GRAVELY
INJURIOUS TO INNER-CITY
COMMUNITIES.
WHEN COMMUNITIES PILLORY COMMUTE
-- PILLORY POLICE, OFFICERS
BECOME MORE RISK-AVERSE AND
CRIME RATES SOAR.
WE ARE SEEING THAT NOW IN MANY
OF OUR CITIES.
THE THREAT BLACK LIVES POSED BY
CRIME ON THE STREET IS MASSIVELY
GREATER THEN ANY THREAT POSED BY
POLICE MISCONDUCT.
THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR
YOUNG BLACK MALES IS HOMICIDE.
EVERY YEAR APPROXIMATELY 7500
BLACK AMERICANS ARE VICTIMS OF
HOMICIDE.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM,
AROUND 90%, ARE KILLED BY OTHER
BLACKS, MAINLY BY GUNFIRE.
EACH OF THOSE LIVES MATTER.
IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT IN
SELECTED CITIES WHERE THERE HAS
BEEN AN UPSURGE IN VIOLENT CRIME
, WE ARE STEPPING UP THE
ACTIVITIES OF OUR JOINT
ANTI-CRIME TASK FORCES.
FINALLY I WANT TO ADDRESS A
DIFFERENT BREAKDOWN IN THE RULE
OF LAW THAT WE'VE WITNESSED OVER
THE PAST TWO MONTHS.
IN THE WAKE OF GEORGE FLOYD'S
DEATH, VIOLENT RIDERS AND
ANARCHISTS HAVE HIJACKED
LEGITIMATE PROTESTS TO REACH
SENSELESS HAVOC AND DESTRUCTION
ON INNOCENT VICTIMS.
THE CURRENT SITUATION IN
PORTLAND IS A TELLING EXAMPLE.
EVERY NIGHT FOR THE PAST TWO
MONTHS, A MOB OF HUNDREDS OF
RIDERS HAVE LAID SIEGE TO THE
FEDERAL COURTHOUSE AND OTHER
NEARBY FEDERAL PROPERTY.
THE RIDERS -- THE RIOTERS HAVE
COME ARMED WITH SLINGSHOTS,
TASERS, SALT, KNIVES, AND
EXPLOSIVE DEVICES.
INSIDE THE COURTHOUSE ARE AT
RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF
FEDERAL PERSONNEL CHARGED WITH A
DEFENSIVE MISSION TO PROTECT THE
COURTHOUSE.
WHAT UNFOLDS NIGHTLY AROUND THE
COURTHOUSE CANNOT REASONABLY BE
CALLED PROTESTS.
IT IS BY ANY OBJECTIVE MEASURE
AN ASSAULT ON THE GOVERNMENT OF
THE UNITED STATES.
AS ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, EVERY MEMBER
OF THIS COMMITTEE, REGARDLESS OF
YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS OR YOUR
FEELINGS ABOUT THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION SHOULD --
VIOLENCE AGAINST FEDERAL
OFFICERS AND THE DESTRUCTION OF
FEDERAL PROPERTY.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
I APPRECIATE YOUR LISTING FOR ME
THE AREAS OF CONCERN IN YOUR
OPENING STATEMENT, AND I AM
LOOKING FORWARD TO ADDRESSING
THEM ALL.
REP. NADLER: WE WILL NOW PROCEED
UNDER THE FIVE MINUTE RULE WITH
QUESTIONS AND I WILL RECOGNIZE
MYSELF FOR FIVE MINUTES.
ON JULY 22, YOU JOINED THE
PRESIDENT AS HE ANNOUNCED THE
EXPANSION OF OPERATION LEGEND --
LET ME START THAT AGAIN.
ON JULY 20 SECOND YOU JOINED THE
PRESIDENT AS HE ANNOUNCED THE
EXPANSION OF OPERATION LEGEND,
AN INITIATIVE TO COMBAT VIOLENT
CRIME IN KANSAS CITY WITH
APPROXIMATELY 61 MILLION DOLLARS
OF DOJ GRANTS.
I AM CONFUSED AS THE PURPOSE OF
LAUNCHING OPERATION LEGEND AT
THIS MOMENT IN TIME.
IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR, YOU
ANNOUNCE THE DEPARTMENT WOULD
DIVERT $70 MILLION IN GRANT
SEVEN U.S. CITIES -- CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: THAT'S RIGHT.
REP. NADLER: OPERATION
RELENTLESS PURSUIT TARGETED
FAMILIAR LIST OF CITIES, PLACES
LIKE ALBUQUERQUE, BALTIMORE
COMING KANSAS CITY, CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: CORRECT.
REP. NADLER: AT THE SAME PRESS
CONFERENCE, YOU CLAIMED 200
ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE UNDER
OPERATION LEGEND.
CORRECT.
A.G. BARR: BUT YOU MISSPOKE --
CORRECT.
REP. NADLER: BUT YOU MISSPOKE.
THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
CONFIRMED ONLY A SINGLE REST HAD
BEEN MADE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF
OPERATION LEGEND.
CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: I DON'T KNOW.
REP. NADLER: THE 199 OTHER
ARRESTS WERE MADE UNDER
RELENTLESS PURSUIT OR OTHER
PROGRAMS.
A.G. BARR: THAT WAS CORRECT.
REP. NADLER: I THINK YOU CAN BE
FORGIVEN FOR BEING CONFUSED.
OPERATION LEGEND APPEARS TO BE
LITTLE MORE THAN A REPACKAGING
OF EXISTING OPERATIONS.
WHY ALL THE DRAMA?
WHY JOIN THE PRESIDENT TO
ANNOUNCE A BOLD NEW OPERATION
THAT APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER BOLD
NOR NEW?
UNDERSTANDABLY, AMERICANS ARE
VERY SUSPICIOUS OF YOUR MOTIVES.
THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE
YOU'RE SENDING FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT INTO THESE CITIES
NOT TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME, BUT
TO HELP WITH THE PRESIDENT'S
REELECTION EFFORTS.
THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE CLEAR HE
WANTS CONFLICT BETWEEN
PROTESTERS AND POLICE TO BE A
CENTRAL THEME OF HIS CAMPAIGN.
LET ME ASK YOU DIRECTLY.
YES OR NO.
DID YOU REBRAND EXISTING PROJECT
UNDER PROJECT LEGEND IN ORDER TO
ASSIST THE PRESIDENT AN ELECTION
YEAR?
WOULD YOU AGREE WITH ME ON
PRINCIPLE THAT IT IS IMPROPER
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO
DIVERT RESOURCES AND LAW
ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IN AN
EFFORT TO ASSIST THE PRESIDENT'S
REELECTION CAMPAIGN?
A.G. BARR: NO.
IN THE FALL WE DID INAUGURATE AN
ANTI-CRIME INITIATIVE BECAUSE WE
WERE CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASING
VIOLENT CRIME IN A NUMBER OF
CITIES AND WE CALL THAT
RELENTLESS PURSUIT.
UNFORTUNATELY, COVID INTERVENED,
AND OUR AGENTS WHO WERE DETAILED
FOR THESE ASSIGNMENTS CANNOT
PERFORM THE OPERATION, SO THE
OPERATION WAS SQUELCHED BY
COVID.
WE CANNOT COMPLETE OR MAKE MUCH
PROGRESS ON RELENTLESS PURSUIT.
HOWEVER, IN THE INTERVENING TIME
, WE SAW VIOLENT CRIME
CONTINUING TO RISE, AND A LOT OF
THAT WAS TRIGGERED BY THE EVENTS
AFTER THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.
WE DID REBOOT THE PROGRAM AFTER
COVID STARTED BREAKING AND WE
COULD COMMIT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
RESOURCES TO ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH
THE MISSION, WHICH IS TO REDUCE
VIOLENT CRIME.
I REGRET COVID INTERRUPTED OUR
LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES, BUT
THERE IS SERIOUS VIOLENT CRIME
IN THE CITIES.
POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND MAYORS
HAVE BEEN ASKING US FOR HELP,
AND WE HAVE PUT IN ADDITIONAL
FEDERAL AGENTS AND INVESTIGATORS
TO HELP DEAL WITH IT.
REP. NADLER: YES OR NO.
HAVE YOU DISCUSSED THE
PRESIDENT'S REELECTION CAMPAIGN
WITH THE PRESIDENT OR WITH ANY
WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL OR ANY
CIRCUIT OF THE PRESIDENT?
A.G. BARR: I WILL NOT GET INTO
MY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE
PRESIDENT.
REP. NADLER: HAVE YOU DISCUSS
THAT TOPIC WITH HIM?
A.G. BARR: NOT IN RELATION TO
THIS PROGRAM.
I'M A MEMBER OF THE CABINET AND
THERE IS ELECTION GOING ON.
AUGUST WITH THE TOPIC COMES UP.
IT SHOULD NOT BE A SURPRISE THAT
THE TOPIC OF THE ELECTION COMES
UP.
REP. NADLER: I DID NOT SAY I WAS
SURPRISED.
I ASK YOU IF YOU HAVE DONE THAT.
IT IS PART OF THOSE
CONVERSATIONS, HAVE YOU EVER
DISCUSSED THE CURRENT OR FUTURE
DEPLOYMENT OF FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT?
A.G. BARR: IN CONNECTION WITH
WHAT?
REP. NADLER: IN CONNECTION WITH
WHAT YOU JUST SAID.
IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT
OR OTHER PEOPLE AROUND HIM OF
HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN, HAVE
YOU DISCUSSED THE CURRENT OR
FUTURE DEPLOYMENT OF FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT?
A.G. BARR: I WILL NOT GET INTO
MY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE
PRESIDENT, BUT I MADE IT CLEAR I
WOULD LIKE TO PICK THE CITIES
BASED ON LAW ENFORCEMENT NEAT
AND BASED ON NEUTRAL CRITERIA.
REP. NADLER: YOU CANNOT TELL ME
WHETHER YOU DISCUSSED --
A.G. BARR: I WILL NOT TELL YOU
WHAT I DISCUSSED WITH THE
PRESIDENT.
REP. NADLER: CAN YOU COMMIT IT
WILL NOT USE THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AS A PROP FOR THE
REELECTION CAMPAIGN?
YOU CANNOT HIDE BEHIND LEGAL
FICTIONS THIS TIME.
PEOPLE SEE WHAT YOU'RE ARE DOING
FOR THEMSELVES.
THE PRESIDENT WANTS FOOTAGE FOR
HIS CAMPAIGN ADS AND YOU APPEAR
TO BE SERVING IT UP AS ORDERED.
IN MOST OF THESE CITIES, THE
PROTESTS HAD BEGUN TO WIND DOWN
BEFORE HE MARCHED IN AND
CONFRONTED THE PROTESTERS.
THE PROTESTERS ARE NOT MOBS,
THEIR MOTHERS, VETERANS, MAYORS
CURATE REAL LEADERSHIP WOULD
ENTAIL DE-ESCALATION,
COLLABORATION, AND LOOKING FOR
WAYS TO PEACEABLY RESOLVE OUR
DIFFERENCES.
INSTEAD YOU USED PEPPER SPRAY ON
AMERICAN CITIZENS.
YOU DID IN WASHINGTON CURATE YOU
DID IT AT LEVY AT SQUARE CURATE
TO EXPAND IT TO PORTLAND, NOW
YOU'RE EXPECTING FEAR AND
VIOLENCE NATIONWIDE IN PURSUIT
OF OBVIOUS POLITICAL OBJECTIVES.
SHAME ON YOU.
MY TIME IS EXPIRED.
WHAT PURPOSE DOES MR. JORDAN
SECRET IGNITION?
A.G. BARR: COULD I HAVE A
MOMENT?
REP. NADLER: MY TIME IS EXPIRED.
TO WHAT PURPOSE DOES MR. JOHNSON
SEEK RECOGNITION?
REP. JOHNSON: QUESTIONS FOR THE
WITNESS.
YOU HAVE CONFLATED TWO DIFFERENT
THINGS.
THE EFFORT OF LEGEND IS TO
CONFRONT VIOLENT CRIME.
PREDATORY VIOLENCE LIKE MURDER
AND SHOOTINGS WHICH ARE SOARING
IN SOME CITIES RIGHT NOW.
THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE
ENCOUNTERING PROTESTERS AS YOU
REFER TO IT.
CIVIL DISTURBANCE IS A DIFFERENT
SET OF ISSUES.
I REJECT THE IDEA THAT THE
DEPARTMENT IS FLOODED ANYWHERE
AND ATTEMPTED TO SUPPRESS
DEMONSTRATORS.
WE MAKE A CLEAR DISTINCTION
BETWEEN DEMONSTRATORS.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, YOU
TAKE PORTLAND.
PORTLAND, THE COURTHOUSE IS
UNDER ATTACK.
FEDERAL RESOURCES ARE INSIDE THE
PERIMETER AROUND THE COURTHOUSE
DEFENDING IT FROM TWO MONTHS OF
DAILY ATTACKS WHERE PEOPLE
MARCHED TO THE COURT, TRY TO
GAIN ENTRANCE, AND HAVE SET
FIRES, THROWN THINGS, USED
EXPLOSIVES, AND INJURED POLICE,
INCLUDING THIS PAST WEEKEND,
PERHAPS PERMANENTLY BLINDING
THREE FEDERAL OFFICERS WITH
LASERS.
WE ARE ON THE DEFENSE.
WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR TROUBLE.
IF THE STATE AND THE CITY WOULD
PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
THAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS DO, WE
WOULD HAVE NO NEED TO HAVE
ADDITIONAL MARSHALS IN THE
COURTHOUSE.
REP. JOHNSON: ON BEHALF OF
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF
AMERICANS, THANK YOU FOR THAT
CLARIFICATION AND FOR BEING HERE
IN YOUR SERVICE TODAY AND YOUR
WILLINGNESS TO DO THIS IN
CHALLENGING TIMES.
MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL, WE ARE
VERY APPRECIATIVE.
IT IS A VITALLY IMPORTANT JOB.
I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU SAID IN
YOUR CONFIRMATION HEARING.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS A
UNIQUE OBLIGATION.
THE TRUST THE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ASSERTED THIS
MORNING, AND THEY CONTINUE TO
SAY IN THE MEDIA THAT UNDER YOUR
LEADERSHIP THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT HAS BECOME HIGHLY
POLITICIZED.
WHY IS THAT A TOTALLY UNFOUNDED
ALLEGATION?
A.G. BARR: BECAUSE WHAT I HAVE
BEEN TRYING TO DO IS RESTORE THE
RULE OF LAW.
THE RULE OF LAW IS IN ESSENCE
THAT WE HAVE ONE RULE FOR
EVERYBODY.
IF YOU APPLY ONE RULE TO A, THE
SAME RULE APPLIES TO B.
I FELT WE DID NOT HAVE THAT AT
THE DEPARTMENT.
WE HAD STRAYED.
I WOULD ASK PEOPLE -- I AM
SUPPOSEDLY PUNISHING THE
PRESIDENTS ENEMIES AND HELPING
THE PRESIDENTS FRIENDS.
WHAT ENEMIES HAVE I INDICTED?
CAN YOU POINT TO ONE INDICTMENT
THAT HAS BEEN UNDER THE
DEPARTMENT THAT YOU FEEL HAS
BEEN UNMERITED, THAT YOU FEEL
VIOLATES THE RULE OF LAW?
ONE INDICTMENT.
YOU SAY I HELP THE PRESIDENTS
FRIENDS.
THE CASES THAT ARE CITED, THE
STONE CASE IN THE FLYNN CASE,
WERE BOTH CASES WHERE I
DETERMINED THAT SOME
INTERVENTION WAS NECESSARY TO
RECTIFY THE RULE OF LAW, TO MAKE
SURE PEOPLE ARE TREATED THE
SAME.
STONE WAS PROSECUTED UNDER ME,
AND I SAID ALL ALONG I THOUGHT
THAT WAS A RIGHTEOUS
PROSECUTION, I THOUGHT HE SHOULD
GO TO JAIL, AND I THOUGHT THE
JUDGE'S SENTENCE WAS CORRECT.
THE PROSECUTORS WERE TRYING TO
ADVOCATE FOR A SENTENCE THAT WAS
MORE THAN TWICE WHAT ANYONE ELSE
IN A SIMILAR POSITION HAD EVER
SERVED.
THIS IS A 67-YEAR-OLD MAN,
FIRST-TIME OFFENDER, NO
VIOLENCE, THEY WERE TRYING TO
PUT THEM IN JAIL FOR SEVEN TO
NINE YEARS.
I WAS NOT GOING TO ADVOCATE
THAT.
THAT IS NOT THE RULE OF LAW.
I AGREE THE PRESIDENT'S FRIENDS
DO NOT DESERVE SPECIAL BREAKS,
BUT THEY DO NOT DESERVE TO BE
TREATED MORE HARSHLY THAN OTHER
PEOPLE.
SOMETIME THAT IS A DIFFICULT
DECISION TO MAKE, ESPECIALLY
WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE
CASTIGATED FOR IT.
THAT IS WHAT THE RULE OF LAW IS
AND THAT IS WHAT FAIRNESS TO THE
INDIVIDUAL COMES TO, BEING
WILLING TO DO WHAT IS FAIR TO
THE INDIVIDUAL.
REP. JOHNSON: AMEN, AND THANK
YOU FOR THAT.
IN CONTRAST, WHAT THE PREVIOUS
DOJ DID WAS POLITICIZE LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S
APPETIZER -- SABOTAGED THE TRUMP
TRANSITION, THEY SPIED ON
MEMBERS OF TRUMP CAMPAIGN, THEY
EMPLOYED AGGRESSIVE TACTICS,
SENIOR FBI OFFICIALS CARRIED
OVER FROM THE OBAMA
ADMINISTRATION CARRIED ON THEIR
ABUSES INTO THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION AND INTO THE
IMPEACHMENT STAMP AND ALL THE
LAST -- ALL THE REST.
LET ME ASK YOU ONE QUESTION.
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S ATTORNEY
GENERAL ERIC HOLDER REFERRED TO
HIMSELF AS PRESIDENT OBAMA'S
WING MAN.
HE SAID IN AN INTERVIEW "I'M
STILL ENJOYING WHAT I'M DOING,
THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE,
I AM STILL THE PRESIDENTS WING
MAN."
IS IT THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL TO BE THE PRESIDENTS
WING MAN?
A.G. BARR: I'VE ALREADY
DESCRIBED WHAT I THINK THE DUTY
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS.
REP. JOHNSON: IN YOUR OFFICE YOU
ARE THEN FREE TO ACT INDEPENDENT
OF THE PRESIDENT, ISN'T THAT
CLUE -- ISN'T THAT TRUE?
A.G. BARR: IT IS TRUE,
ESPECIALLY ON CRIMINAL CASES IT
IS REQUIRED.
REP. JOHNSON: THAT IS EXACTLY
WHAT HE IS ASKED YOU TO DO.
REP. NADLER: MS. LOFGREN?
REP. LOFGREN: IT IS OBVIOUS WHAT
IS HAPPENING FROM THE VIDEO PLAY
ED.
IT IS CLEAR THE PRESIDENTS
PLAYBOOK IS TO DIVERT ATTENTION
FROM HIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN
DEALING WITH THE COVID-19
SITUATION.
IN CANADA, IN EUROPE, THE VIRUS
HAS BEEN REDUCED TO SUCH A LEVEL
THAT PEOPLE CAN GO OUT AND NOT
WORRY ABOUT BEING INFECTED.
HERE IN THE UNITED STATES,
MILLIONS OF AMERICANS HAVE BEEN
INFECTED, TENS OF THOUSANDS ARE
DYING, AND THE PRESIDENT NEEDS
TO DIVERT FROM THAT FAILURE.
THE PLAYBOOK IS TO CREATE THE
IMPRESSION THERE IS VIOLENCE
THAT HE MUST SEND IN FEDERAL
TROOPS AND THAT THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE SHOULD BE AFRAID OF OTHER
AMERICANS AND TRUST THE
PRESIDENT BECAUSE HE WILL SEND
TROOPS TO AMERICAN CITIES, AND
THAT IS HOW HE WANTS TO WIN THE
ELECTION.
IT IS ONE THING TO FIGHT CRIME
WITH JOINT TASK FORCES.
THAT INVOLVES THE COOPERATION OF
STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS.
THE GOVERNOR OF OREGON AND THE
MAYOR OF PORTLAND HAS ASKED THE
FEDERAL TROOPS LEAVE BECAUSE THE
REACTION HAS BEEN IN REVERSE
PROPORTION.
PEOPLE ARE SHOWING UP BECAUSE
THE TROOPS ARE THERE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY MOST OF THEM
ARE NONVIOLENT.
WE HAVE ALL HEARD ABOUT THE WALL
OF MOMS.
THE WALL OF MOMS WHO SHOW UP TO
MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE SAFE.
HERE IS WHAT THEY SAY.
THEY SAY THEY HAVE BEEN TEARGAS
TO NIGHT AFTER NIGHT.
THEY HAVE BEEN SHOT AT WITH
BEANBAGS, PEPPER SPRAY.
THIS BRUTALITY HAS CREATED EVEN
MORE DEVASTATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU THIS.
WHEN THE PRESIDENT ISSUES HIS
EXECUTIVE ORDERS, THEY INDICATED
YOUR DEPARTMENT SHOULD
PRIORITIZE INVESTIGATIONS.
HAS YOUR DEPARTMENT STARTED ANY
INVESTIGATION PURSUANT TO THE
EXECUTIVE ORDER?
A.G. BARR: WHICH EXECUTIVE
ORDER?
REP. NADLER: THE EXECUTIVE --
REP. LOFGREN: THE EXECUTIVE
ORDER THAT ASKED FOR THE
DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS TO PROTECT
THE MONUMENT AND THE FEDERAL
FACILITIES?
A.G. BARR: I WOULD NOT SAY IT
WAS TROOPS.
WE HAVE INITIATED
INVESTIGATIONS, YES.
WE HAVE MADE ARRESTS.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RIDING --
RIOTING AND TAKING DOWN STATUES.
I THINK YOUR CHARACTERIZATION OF
PORTLAND IS FALSE.
REP. LOFGREN: WE CAN GET INTO
THAT.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU A
QUESTION ABOUT SURVEILLANCE.
WE READ A REPORT THAT
STIMULATORS ARE BEING USED TO
COLLECT PHONE CALL ROTATION AND
EVEN CONTACTS OF PHONE CALLS.
[INDISCERNIBLE]
WHAT SPECIFIC AUTHORITY IS THE
DEPARTMENT USING FOR THE
SURVEILLANCE TOOLS?
A.G. BARR: I CANNOT SPEAK TO
THOSE INSTANCES IF THEY OCCURRED
.
I AM GLAD TO GO AND TRY TO
DETERMINE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING
ABOUT YOUR -- WHAT YOU ARE
TALKING ABOUT.
REP. LOFGREN: I AM ASKING ABOUT
AUTHORITY.
A.G. BARR: MOST OF OUR CYBER
ACTIVITIES ARE CONDUCTED BY THE
FBI UNDER LAW ENFORCEMENT POWERS
TO PROTECT AND DETECT FEDERAL
CLIMB.
REP. LOFGREN: I THINK THE
AMERICAN PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW THAT
THIS SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUE --
IF A HUSBAND-AND-WIFE CALL EACH
OTHER AND ONE OF THE SPOUSES HAS
A CELL PHONE WITHIN RANGE OF ONE
OF THESE TECHNOLOGIES, NOT ONLY
IS THE CONTENT OF THAT COUPLES
CONVERSATION -- THIS IS NOT JUST
ABOUT THE DEMONSTRATION, THIS IS
ABOUT ALL AMERICANS
[INDISCERNIBLE]
TRYING TO CREATE A SCENE, CREATE
A REASON TO SUBVERT ATTENTION
FROM COVID.
IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE.
MY TIME HAS EXPIRED.
REP. NADLER: THE GENTLELADY REAL
DEALS BACK -- THE GENTLELADY
YIELDS BACK.
>> CAN YOU ASK THOSE MEMBERS WHO
CHOSE NOT TO COME TO WORK TO
SILENCE THEIR CELL PHONES
BECAUSE IT IS DISTRACTING?
REP. NADLER: THAT IS NOT A POINT
OF ORDER.
I NOW RECOGNIZE MR. CAP.
-- MR. CABOT.
>> WOULD IT BE ACCURATE TO SAY
IT IS THE ADMINISTRATION'S
RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE FEDERAL
LAWS ARE UPHELD AND THE FEDERAL
PROPERTY IS SECURE AND SAFE AND
PROTECTED.
IS THAT CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: THAT IS RIGHT.
ONE MISSION IS TO ENFORCE
FEDERAL LAW.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS THE
SOVEREIGN OF THE UNITED STATES.
WE HAVE TWO SOVEREIGNS IN THE
UNITED STATES AND WE ENFORCE THE
FEDERAL LAW ALL OVER THE
COUNTRY.
EVERY SQUARE FOOT WE ENFORCE
FEDERAL LAW.
SPECIFICALLY, U.S. COURTHOUSES,
WHICH OF THE HEART OF FEDERAL
PROPERTY IN ALL 90 JURISDICTIONS
IN THE UNITED STATES.
WE HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO
PROTECT FEDERAL COURTS, AND THE
U.S. MARSHALL SPECIFICALLY HAS
BEEN GIVEN THAT OBLIGATION.
FEDERAL COURTS ARE UNDER ATTACK.
SINCE WHEN IS IT OK TO TRY TO
BURN DOWN A FEDERAL COURT?
IF SOMEONE WENT DOWN THE STREET
TO THE BEAUTIFUL COURTHOUSE WE
HAVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL
AND STARTED BREAKING WINDOWS AND
FIRING INDUSTRIAL GRADE
FIREWORKS IN TO START A FIRE,
THROW KEROSENE BALLOONS IN AND
START FIRES IN THE COURT, IS
THAT OK?
IS THAT OK NOW?
THE U.S. MARSHALS HAVE A DUTY TO
STOP THAT AND DEFEND THE
COURTHOUSE.
THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING IN
PORTLAND.
WE ARE DEFENDING THE COURTHOUSE.
WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR TROUBLE.
REP. CHABOT: THANK YOU.
AS FAR AS WEAPONS AND DEVICES
UTILIZED BY THE GROUP OF PEOPLE,
YOU MENTIONED TRYING TO DESTROY
THE COURTHOUSE.
THEY WERE TRYING TO BURN IT
DOWN.
IT APPARENTLY DID NOT GIVE A
HOOT ABOUT THE PEOPLE OCCUPIED
IN THE BUILDING.
PEOPLE WERE IN DANGER.
A.G. BARR: THAT IS ABSOLUTELY
RIGHT.
REP. CHABOT: AS FAR AS THE
WEAPONS YOU MENTIONED, MY
UNDERSTANDING IS THE PEOPLE
ATTACKING THE BUILDING HAD
RIFLES, EXPLOSIVES, KNIVES,
SAWS, SLEDGEHAMMERS, TASERS,
ROCKS, BRICKS.
HAVE I MISSED ANYTHING OR DOES
THAT COVER IT?
A.G. BARR: YOU HAVE MISSED SOME
THINGS BUT THAT IS A GOOD LIST.
THEY HAVE POWERFUL SLINGSHOTS
WITH BALL BEARINGS.
THEY HAVE USED PELLET GUNS.
WE HAVE FOUND THOSE PROJECTILES
HAVE PENETRATED MARSHALL'S TO
THE BONE.
THEY USE THE LASERS TO BLIND THE
MARSHALLS.
THEY DO START FIRES.
THEY START FIRES IF THEY CAN GET
THE FIRE INSIDE OR THROUGH THE
WINDOWS, AND THEY START FIRES
ALONG THE OUTSIDE OF THE
COURTHOUSE.
WHEN THE MARSHALL'S COME OUT TO
TRY TO DEAL WITH THE FIRE, THEY
ARE ASSAULTED.
REP. CHABOT: IF LOCAL ELECTED
OFFICIALS, MAYORS AND CITY
COUNCILS AND GOVERNORS DID THEIR
JOBS AND KEPT THE PEACE, WOULD
IT EVEN BE NECESSARY FOR FEDERAL
LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO BE
THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE?
A.G. BARR: NO.
THAT IS EXACTLY THE POINT.
EVEN WHERE THERE ARE RIOTS
OCCURRING, WE HAVE NOT HAD TO
PUT IN THE KIND OF
REINFORCEMENTS WE HAVE IN
PORTLAND BECAUSE THE STATE AND
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES THEIR
JOB AND WILL NOT ALLOW RIOTERS
TO PHYSICALLY ASSAULT THE
COURTHOUSE.
IN PORTLAND THAT IS NOT THE
CASE.
REP. CHABOT: SOME HAVE
DERISIVELY REFERRED TO THESE LAW
ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AS
STORMTROOPERS AND WORSE.
DOES THAT ACCURATELY DESCRIBE
THEM?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SET THE RECORD
STRAIGHT?
A.G. BARR: THEY ARE NOT
STORMTROOPERS.
NORMALLY WE WOULD HAVE A GROUP
OF DEPUTY MARSHALS IN A COURT IN
SUITS AND TIES IN CIVILIAN
DRESS.
THOSE WOULD BE THE DEPUTY
MARSHALS AS A PROTECTIVE FORCE
FOR THE COURT.
AFTER ALMOST A MONTH OF RIDING
IN PORTLAND, WE SENT IN --
AROUND THE FOURTH OF JULY -- WE
SENT IN ABOUT 20 SPECIAL
OPERATIONS MARSHALS.
THOSE ARE TACTICAL TEAMS WHO ARE
PADDED AND PROTECTED SO THEY CAN
DEAL WITH THIS KIND OF THING.
UNTIL LAST WEEK I WAS TOLD OUR
STORMTROOPERS FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AMOUNTED
TO 29 MARSHALS IN THE
COURTHOUSE.
UNTIL RECENTLY INCREASED, I
THINK THERE WERE 95 DHS FEDERAL
PROTECTIVE SERVICE AND OTHER DHS
OFFICERS TRYING TO PROTECT THE
COURTHOUSE AND THREE OTHER
BUILDINGS.
THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO
DO.
PROTECT FEDERAL FUNCTIONS AND
FEDERAL BUILDINGS, WHICH ARE A
SMALL PART OF THE CITY.
THE RIDERS GO AT THEM AND WE
HAVE GRADUALLY INCREASED OUR
NUMBERS TO PROTECT THOSE
FACILITIES.
IF THE STATE WOULD COME IN AND
KEEP PEACE ON THE STREETS IN
FRONT OF THE COURTHOUSE, WE
WOULD NOT NEED ADDITIONAL PEOPLE
AT THE COURTHOUSE.
REP. CHABOT: THANK YOU, GENERAL.
MY TIME HAS EXPIRED.
REP. NADLER: THE GENTLEMAN'S
TIME HAS EXPIRED.
MS. JACKSON LEE?
REP. JACKSON LEE: JOHN LEWIS IN
1963 SAID WE ARE TIRED OF BEING
BEATEN BY POLICE AND PUT IN
JAIL.
WE WANT OUR FREEDOM NOW.
MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND YOUR
REMARKS YOU INDICATED WE HAVE
MADE GREAT PROGRESS SINCE THAT
TIME AND YOU INDICATED THAT
KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD WAS
SHOPPING.
I DISAGREE.
IT WAS OUTRIGHT COLD-BLOODED
MURDER ON THE STREETS OF AMERICA
BY POLICE MISCONDUCT.
YOU SEEM TO HAVE A DIFFICULT
TIME UNDERSTANDING SYSTEMIC
RACISM AND INSTITUTIONAL RACISM
THAT HAS PLAGUED SO MANY.
MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL, DO YOU
UNDERSTAND A BLACK MOTHER'S OR
PARENTS "TALK" TO THEIR CHILD OR
SON.
A.G. BARR: I THINK I DO.
REP. JACKSON LEE: I DO NOT KNOW
IF YOU DO BUT TRAYVON MARTIN, R
MARK ARBERY, SEAN BELL, GEORGE
FLOYD, BLACK MOTHERS AND FATHERS
HAVE HAD TO TALK TO THEIR SONS
ABOUT POLICE VIOLENCE.
I TAKE NO BACKSEAT TO THE
HISTORY OF THIS COMMITTEE THAT
HAS STOOD FOR GOOD POLICING AND
NOT MISCONDUCT.
DOES THE TRUMP JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT SEEK TO AND SYSTEMIC
RACISM IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
I NEED A YES OR NO ANSWER.
A.G. BARR: TO THE EXTENT THERE
IS RACISM IN ANY OF OUR
INSTITUTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY AND
THE POLICE, THEN OBVIOUSLY THIS
ADMINISTRATION WILL FULLY
ENFORCE.
REP. NADLER: YOU AGREE THERE IS
US -- REP. JACKSON LEE: YOU
AGREE THERE IS SYSTEMIC RACISM?
A.G. BARR: I DO NOT AGREE THERE
IS SYSTEMIC RACISM IN THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT, BUT GENERALLY IN
THIS COUNTRY.
REP. JACKSON LEE: DO YOU
UNDERSTAND THE VIOLENT IMPACT OF
RACIAL PROFILING AND YOU SUPPORT
THE END OF RACIAL PROFILING,
RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS PROFILING
IN THE GEORGE FLOYD BILL,
INCLUDING THE REMOVAL OF THE
STRICT INTERPRETATION OF
QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, WHICH WOULD
LEAVE INDIVIDUALS LIKE BREONNA
TAYLOR AND GEORGE FLOYD WITHOUT
ANY RELIEF AT ALL?
A.G. BARR: I AM OPPOSED TO
ELIMINATING QUALIFYING IMMUNITY
AND I DO NOT AGREE IT WOULD
LEAVE VICTIMS OF POLICE
MISCONDUCT.
-- WITHOUT ANY REMEDY.
REP. JACKSON LEE: LET ME SHARE
WITH YOU SOME ASPECTS OF
PROFILING.
AFTER THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD
FOUND THAT WHILE BLACK PEOPLE
MAKE UP 19% OF THE MINNEAPOLIS
POPULATION AND 9% OF ITS POLICE,
THEY WERE ON THIS RECEIVING END
OF 50% OF THE USE OF FORCE
INCIDENTS.
IN ADDITION, WE HAVE SEEN LACK
MEN ARE TWICE AS LIKELY -- WE
HAVE SEEN BLACK MEN ARE TWICE AS
LIKELY TO BE STOP AND SEARCH.
NATIVE AMERICANS IN ARIZONA
THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO
SEARCH AND BE STOPPED.
LET ME ASK YOU THE QUESTIONS OF
HOW WE RESPOND TO THAT.
THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS MANY
TOOLS AT ITS DISPOSAL TO REDUCE
POLICE VIOLENCE AND PRACTICE
INVESTIGATIONS, PRACTICE TO END
BACK POLICING AND POLICE
VIOLENCE.
IT ADDRESSES POLICE VIOLENCE AT
AN INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL RATHER
THAN FOCUSING ON A FEW CASES.
IF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT, THEN WHY
HAS YOUR DEPARTMENT ONLY PURSUED
ONE PRACTICE INVESTIGATION SINCE
PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK OFFICE TO
STOP SYSTEMIC RACISM?
A.G. BARR: IF YOU READ MY
STATEMENT OR LISTEN TO MY
STATEMENT, I DID SPECIFICALLY
ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WAS A
DIFFICULTY IN THIS COUNTRY WITH
THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
REP. JACKSON LEE: I AM SHORT
TIME.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHILE YOU HAVE
NOT DONE A PATTERN AND PRACTICE?
A.G. BARR: YOU ASKED ME WHAT I
THOUGHT THE RESPONSE WAS, I
THOUGHT THE RESPONSE IS THE
TRAINING OF POLICE AND I THINK
THE POLICE BELIEVE THAT IS THE
RESPONSE.
I WAS TALKING TO A BLACK --
REP. JACKSON LEE: MR. ATTORNEY
GENERAL, I WANT TO RESPECT YOU,
BUT I HAVE A SHORT TIME.
18 USC SECTION 242 MAKES
UNLAWFUL THE DENIAL OF LIGHTS
UNDER THE LAW.
CAN YOU DEFEND THE FACT THAT IN
THE FIRST SEVERAL MONTHS OF FY
2020, FEDERAL PROSECUTORS FILED
ONLY 242 CHARGES IN JUST 27
CASES IN THE TRUMP DOJ, AND WERE
YOU AWARE THAT IN FY 2019
FEDERAL PROSECUTORS BROUGHT TWO
SECTION 242 CHARGES IN JUST 49
CASES IN THE UNITED STATES AND
YOU ARE AWARE OF HOW MAY CASES
WE HAVE HAD?
THAT MEANS IN FI 2019, ONLY 27
OUT OF AVRIL -- OUT OF EVERY
100,000 PROSECUTORS RELATED TO
SECTION 242 CHARGES.
DO YOU HAVE A REASON FOR THAT?
A.G. BARR: YES I DO.
I WILL GET YOU THE NUMBERS.
THERE ARE CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS
UNDER 241 AND 240 TWO ARE
EXTREMELY STRONG AND COMPARABLE
TO IF NOT EXCEED PRIOR
ADMINISTRATIONS.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR,
VERY FEW JURISDICTIONS HAD GRAND
JURIES THAT WERE OPEN.
REP. JACKSON LEE: I THINK THE
REASON IS BECAUSE IT WAS NOT
YOUR FOCUS.
YOUR FOCUS WAS TO LET OUT
FRIENDS LIKE ROGER STONE AND
PAUL MANAFORT WHILE TAMIR RICE
WAS PLAYING WITH A TOY GUN WAS
KILLED BY POLICE AT THE AGE OF
12.
BREONNA TAYLOR WAS SLEEPING IN
HER APARTMENT.
RAYSHARD BROOKS WAS KILLED JUST
FOR SLEEPING IN HIS CAR IN A
WENDY'S PARKING LOT.
GEORGE FLOYD, KNOWN AS A HUMBLE
MAN, WAS MURDERED IN THE STREETS
OF MINNEAPOLIS CRYING "I CAN'T
BREATHE."
I HOPE THE DOJ WOULD FOCUS ON
SYSTEMIC RACISM.
THERE IS GOOD POLICING.
THAT IS WHAT WE NEED YOU TO JOIN
US ON AND RECOGNIZE
INSTITUTIONAL RACISM DOES EXIST
AND UNTIL WE ACCEPT THAT WE WILL
NOT FINISH OUR JOB AND REACH THE
GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS OF OUR
LATE ICONIC JOHN LEWIS.
WITH THAT I YELLED BACK.
REP. NADLER: THE GENTLELADY
YIELDS BACK.
MR. GOMER?
REP. GOMER: ATTORNEY GENERAL
BARR, WE HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT
THESE PEACEFUL PROTESTS IN MAJOR
CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY
CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATIC MAYORS
AND CITY COUNCILS.
YOU HAVE HAD A LOT OF
EXPERIENCE.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SO MANY
PEOPLE HURT, INJURED, AND KILLED
AT PEACEFUL PROTESTS IN YOUR
LIFE?
A.G. BARR: I HAVE NOT SEEN IT,
NODDED A PEACEFUL PROTEST.
AS I HAVE SAID FROM THE
BEGINNING, THE PEACEFUL PROTESTS
ARE BEING HIJACKED BY A
HARD-CORE OF INSTIGATORS,
VIOLENT INSTIGATORS.
THEY BECOME VIOLENT AND THEIR
PRIMARY DIRECTION OF VIOLENCE IS
TO INJURE POLICE.
POLICE CASUALTIES FAR EXCEED
ANYTHING ON THE CIVILIAN SIDE.
REP. GOHMERT: WEREN'T THERE OVER
50 POLICE INJURED IN CHICAGO IN
RECENT DAYS?
NOW I AM HEARING THIS ALLEGATION
THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS
HELPING SPREAD THE CORONAVIRUS.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE SAME
PEOPLE THAT JUST CASTIGATED THE
PRESIDENT FOR SHUTTING DOWN
TRAVEL FROM THE LOCATION WHERE
THE VIRUS WAS COMING FROM.
NOW SOME SEEM MORE INTERESTED IN
DEFENDING THE CHINESE COMMUNIST
PARTY THAN THEY ARE OUR OWN
COUNTRY.
HEARING THIS ALLEGATION ABOUT
THE ADMINISTRATION HELPING
SPREAD COVID, WOULD IT BE A GOOD
IDEA IF THAT IS THE BIG CONCERN,
THAT MAY BE THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT SHOULD SHUT DOWN THE
PROTESTS DURING THIS COVID-19
SPREAD SO WE CAN SATISFY OUR
COLLEAGUES THAT THEY ARE DOING
MORE TO STOP IT?
HAS THAT EVER BEEN A
CONSIDERATION?
A.G. BARR: I HAVE NEVER
CONSIDERED THAT.
REP. GOHMERT: IT WOULD
APPARENTLY STOP SOME OF THE
ALLEGATIONS BEING THROWN.
I KNOW YOU KNOW HISTORY.
GOING BACK TO 1917, THE
BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION, THE MAO
REVOLUTION, SOME OF THESE
TACTICS WE ARE SEEING ARE NOT
NEW.
TRYING TO GET EVEN DAVID
HORWITZ, I UNDER -- I INTRODUCED
AS A FULL SOCIALIST, HE SAID I
WAS A FULL-BLOWN COMMUNIST, AND
HE SAID HE STARTED LOOKING AWAY
FROM THE GROUP HE WAS IN BECAUSE
HE SAW THEY WERE INTERESTED IN
TRYING TO PROVOKE THE POLICE TO
KILL SOMEBODY SO THEY COULD
CREATE MAYHEM.
YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THAT
TACTIC BY MARXISTS, ARE YOU NOT?
A.G. BARR: YES.
REP. GOHMERT: IT IS A DANGEROUS
TIME.
I KNOW YOU KNOW THAT U.S.
ATTORNEYS ARE SUPPOSED TO SERVE
AT THE PLEASURE OF THE
PRESIDENT.
YOU KNOW BILL CLINTON FIRED 93
U.S. ATTORNEYS ON THE SAME DAY.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT MADE U.S.
ATTORNEY BERMAN THINK HE WAS THE
EXCEPTION WHO DID NOT SERVE AT
THE PLEASURE OF THE PRESIDENT?
WHAT CAUSED HIM TO THINK HE
OWNED THAT POSITION?
A.G. BARR: I THINK PART OF IT
WAS HE SEEMS TO HAVE THE VIEW
THAT BECAUSE HE WAS COURT
APPOINTED, AND THERE IS A
PROVISION IN LAW FOR COURT
APPOINTMENT OF A U.S. ATTORNEY
AS ESSENTIALLY A PLACEHOLDER
UNTIL THE ADMINISTRATION GETS
SOMEBODY, THAT HE FELT HE COULD
NOT BE REMOVED BY THE PRESIDENT
BECAUSE HE WAS COURT-APPOINTED.
THAT IS NOT CORRECT.
REP. GOHMERT: SOME JUDGES FAIL
TO KNOW WHAT MY CONSTITUTIONAL
LAW PROFESSOR NEW, AND THAT IS
ALL COURTS EXCEPT ONE OF THEIR
EXISTENCE AND CONTINUATION AND
JURISDICTION TO THE U.S.
CONGRESS.
HOPEFULLY MR. BERMAN WILL FIGURE
THAT OUT AT SOME POINT.
IS BRUCE STILL WORKING FOR THE
FBI?
A.G. BARR: HE WORKS FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
REP. GOHMERT: WE HAVE HEARD SO
MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT HIS BEING
THE GO-BETWEEN BETWEEN THE DNC,
THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN, FUSION
GPS, CHRISTOPHER STEELE, THE
RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA IN HIS
DOSSIER, AND I KNOW KLEINSMITH,
CHRISTOPHER WRAY INDICATED HE
HAD BEEN GIVEN THE CHANCE TO
RESIGN, GET A BETTER JOB.
I'M WONDERING HOW LONG BRUCE OR
WILL BE STAYING WHERE HE IS.
IT IS INCREDIBLE TO ME HE IS
STILL THERE.
A.G. BARR: I CANNOT TALK ABOUT
INDIVIDUAL PERSONNEL MATTERS.
REP. GOHMERT: THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE.
I AM SORRY FOR THE ABUSE YOU
HAVE TAKEN WHEN YOU'RE JUST
TRYING TO DO YOUR JOB.
APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.
I YELLED BACK.
>> THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS
EXPIRED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE.
>> I AM THE CHAIRMAN FROM THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE
CONSTITUTION, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND
CIVIL LIBERTIES.
THIS IS A PERMANENT HEARING TO
ME.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU IF YOU
WILL WORK WITH US AND ALLOW THE
HEAD OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS
DIVISION TO TESTIFY BEFORE THIS
COMMITTEE THIS FALL?
A.G. BARR: I WILL TALK TO HIM
ABOUT IT.
>> WE ENCOURAGE IT.
A.G. BARR: I WILL TALK TO HIM
ABOUT IT.
>> I HAVE CLOSELY WATCHED
ACTIONS IN LAFAYETTE PARK AND
PORTLAND OREGON.
ACCORDING TO A DOCUMENT RECEIVED
BY THIS COMMITTEE, 1500 FEDERAL
AGENTS WERE DEPLOYED TO CONFRONT
PROTESTERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
AT LAFAYETTE PARK WHICH HAS LONG
BEEN HONORED AND ACCEPTED AS OF
PLACE OF PROTEST IN OUR NATIONS
CAPITAL.
ON THE FIRST DAY OF JUNE, THE
WORLD WATCHED IN HORROR AS
FEDERAL AGENTS DEPLOYED BY THE
ADMINISTRATIONS AND WITH YOU
PRESENT AND TELLING HIM TO GET
IT DONE, USED FORCE TO CLEAR
LAFAYETTE PARK SO THE PRESIDENT
WITH YOU AND OTHERS AT HIS SIDE
GOOD WALK ACROSS THE PARKING
HAVE A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AT ST.
JOHN'S CHURCH.
THIS WAS ANATHEMA TO THE DIOCESE
OF THE CHURCH AND AN AFFRONT TO
THE CONSTITUTION AND THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
GIVING THE TIME FOR THE
COORDINATED ATTACK AGAINST THE
PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS, IT
STRAINS FRAGILITY THIS WAS NOT
PLANNED FOR POLITICAL -- IT
STRAINS CREDULITY THIS WAS NOT
PLANNED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.
THE PROTESTERS WERE PEACEFUL AND
THAT IS WHAT THE MAJORITY OF
PEOPLE HAS SAID.
THE RESPONSE WAS EXCESSIVE.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST LEARN THE
PRESIDENT PLANNED TO WALK
THROUGH THE PARK AND GO TO ST.
JOHN'S CHURCH?
A.G. BARR: FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO
RESPOND TO --
REP. COHEN: WOULD YOU ANSWER MY
QUESTION?
MY TIME IS LIMITED.
A.G. BARR: I LEARNED SOMETIME IN
THE AFTERNOON THE PRESIDENT
MIGHT COME OUT OF THE WHITE
HOUSE, AND LATER IN THE
AFTERNOON I HEARD HE MIGHT GO
OVER TO THE CHURCH.
REP. COHEN: IT WAS NECESSARY THE
PARK BE CLEARED.
A.G. BARR: IT HAD NOTHING TO DO
WITH THAT.
REP. COHEN: IT WAS NECESSARY
THAT THE PARK BE CLEARED AND IT
WAS DONE AND YOU SAID GET IT
DONE.
IN PORTLAND WE HAVE SEEN MOTHERS
AND VETERANS WHO WERE PEACEFULLY
PROTESTING, NOT THREATENING THE
FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, BEATEN AND
GASSED.
UNIDENTIFIED ARMED FEDERAL
AGENTS FINALLY ATTACKED
DEMONSTRATORS AND A VIOLATION OF
THE FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOM OF
ASSEMBLY AND ARRESTED CITIZENS
IN A VIOLATION OF FOURTH
AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS AGAINST
UNREASONABLE SEARCHES AND
SEIZURES.
YOU'VE GONE THROUGH THE FIFTH
AMENDMENT AND DUE PROCESS AND
NEGATED IT.
IN THE 10TH AMENDMENT, WHICH
LEAVES GENERAL POLICING TO THE
LAW ENFORCEMENT OF THE STATE HAS
BEEN FORGOTTEN.
MAYBE WHAT HAPPENED WAS YOUR
SECRET POLICE WERE POORLY
TRAINED, JUST LIKE YOUR BUREAU
OF PRISONS GUARDS WERE POORLY
TRAINED AND ALLOW THE MOST
NOTORIOUS INMATE IN OUR NATIONS
LAST SEVERAL YEARS, JEFFREY
EPSTEIN, TWIN BE NEATLY COMMIT
SUICIDE.
SAD.
YOU MISLED CONGRESS AND THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE ON ROBERT
MUELLER'S FINDING WITH YOUR
SUMMARY OF HIS REPORT.
IT WAS A MONTH BEFORE YOU
RELEASE THE REDACTED PORTION OF
THE REPORT.
YOU SET THE STAGE FOR THE
SPECIAL COUNSEL, OBJECTED TO THE
ACCURACY IN HOW IT WAS REPORTED
BY THE PRESS, AND FEDERAL JUDGE
REGGIE WALTON APPOINTED BY
GEORGE W. BUSH DECLARED YOUR
SUMMARY WAS "DISTORTED" AND THE
COURT CANNOT TRUST YOU.
FURTHER, JUDGE WALTER STATED
YOUR REPORT WAS "A CALCULATED
ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC
DISCLOSURE OF THE MUELLER REPORT
IN FAVOR OF PRESIDENT TRUMP."
THIS COMMITTEE STILL DOES NOT
HAVE THE UNREDACTED ROBERT
MUELLER REPORT.
AMERICA HAS STILL NOT SEEN THE
UNREDACTED REPORT.
YOUR EXCUSES FOR NOT RELEASING
IT BECAUSE IT HAS TO DO WITH
ONGOING CASES AND ALARMS EXIST
BECAUSE THE ONGOING -- CASES NO
LONGER EXISTS BECAUSE THE CASES
HAVE BEEN COMPLETED OR COMMUTED.
OTHERS WORKING WITH THE
COMMITTEE TO SEE THE AMERICAN
PUBLIC AND JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
HAD UNREDACTED COPIES OF THAT
REPORT.
THIS REPORT NEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO
THIS COMMITTEE.
IN MICHAEL COHEN, YOU TREATED
HIM DIFFERENTLY THAN MICHAEL
FLYNN AND ROGER STONE.
IN MICHAEL FLYNN, YOU'VE
ATTEMPTED TO DISMISS THE CHARGES
EVEN AFTER HE TWICE PLED GUILTY.
WITH ROGER STONE, YOU WENT
FURTHER.
MR. BARR, JOHN LEWIS SAID IF NOT
ME, IF NOT WHO, IF NOT NOW,
WHEN.
THAT IS WHY INTRODUCE HOUSE
RESOLUTION TO REQUIRE THIS
COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE YOUR
CONDUCT AS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND
DETERMINE WHETHER YOU SHOULD BE
IMPEACHED.
THAT IS MY CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY.
I YELLED BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
A.G. BARR: MAY I RESPOND TO
THESE?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEEK
REPETITION FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT
REQUESTS.
THANK YOU.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE A
SLIGHT ARTICLE ENTITLED WHY
TRUMP CHOSE POORLY, -- WHY TRUMP
CHOSE PORTLAND WHICH DESCRIBES
THE HISTORY OF THE STATE AND I
WOULD ALSO LIKE TO INCLUDE AN
OP-ED FROM MARY MCCORD WHO SAYS
HER WORDS WERE TWISTED TO
JUSTIFY THE DECISION TO DROP
CHARGES AGAINST MICHAEL FLYNN.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE AN
OP-ED DESCRIBING THE
INTERFERENCE IN THE ROGER STONE
CASE AND WHY HE RESIGNED FROM
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND I
WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE A
STATEMENT FROM OVER 2600 FORMER
DOJ OFFICIALS CALLING FOR
ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR'S
RESIGNATION BECAUSE OF HIS
ASSAULT AND UP LETTER FROM THE
NEW YORK CITY BAR -- A PATTERN
OF CONDUCT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL
BARR THAT THREATENS PUBLIC
CONFIDENCE IN THE FAIR AND
IMPARTIAL AND MINISTRATION OF
JUSTICE, AND A LETTER FROM 27 OF
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WAS
PROMINENT -- LAW PROFESSORS,
CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION
INTO PRESIDENT BARS CONDUCT.
A LETTER FROM OVER 80% OF THE
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LAW
SCHOOL FACULTY, YOUR ALMA MATER
SAYING HIS ACTIONS PROMOTED
DANGER TO THE EVENHANDED
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND
CIVIL LIBERTIES.
>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
>> ONE MORE UNANIMOUS CONSENT
REQUEST?
>> THIS IS THE ARGUMENT WHERE
JERRY NADLER SAYS ANTIFA
VIOLENCE IS A MYTH.
>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
>> MR. COLLINS IS RECOGNIZED FOR
FIVE MINUTES.
REP. COLLINS: I AM BEGINNING TO
BELIEVE YOU ARE PROBABLY THE
CAUSE OF THE COMMON COLD AND
POSSIBLY EVEN COVID-19, I'M NOT
SURE.
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN THROWN AT
YOU.
NOW YOUR ALMA MATER DOES
NOT LIKE YOU ANYMORE.
THE CHAIRMAN SAID WHY ALL THE
DRAMA.
THAT IS THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS
STATEMENT I HAVE HEARD FROM THIS
COMMITTEE.
WE ARE SEEMING TO CONTORT
OURSELVES TO GET TO SOME WAY TO
SHOW YOU HAVE NEFARIOUS MOTIVES.
I BELIEVE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM
YOU HAVE IS TELLING THE TRUTH.
I BELIEVE THAT IS THE PROBLEM
WITH YOU.
YOU TELL THE TRUTH AND YOU TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS
AND THAT IS WHY YOU ARE BEING
ATTACKED.
I WANT TO CONTINUE ON THIS
PEACEFUL PROTEST.
TALKING ABOUT THE COURTHOUSE
JUST INSIDE THE STRAIGHT, WHAT
IF THEY DECIDED -- YOU THINK
THIS BODY WOULD RISE UP IF THEY
DECIDED TO GO TONIGHT AND PAINT
THE CAPITAL BUILDING?
A.G. BARR: THIS BODY, I'M NOT
SURE.
REP. COLLINS: I THINK THIS SIDE
WOULD.
I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE OTHER.
MAYBE WE ARE ABOUT THE OTHER --
MAYBE WE ARE ABOUT 1812 AGAIN.
THE STATEMENT ABOUT THE
STORMTROOPER FROM THE SPEAKER OF
THE HOUSE.
WE KNOW THAT IS A REFERENCE TO
THE NAZI PARTY.
YOU BELIEVE THAT PUTS OUR LAW
ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY -- AS THE
SON OF A STATE TROOPER, I WANT
TO KNOW YOUR OPINION.
DON'T YOU THINK IT ENCOURAGES
THE VIOLENCE WE ARE SEEING AND
ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION AGAINST
THE POLICE?
A.G. BARR: I THINK THAT IS
POSSIBLE.
I THINK IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO
CALL THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICERS STORMTROOPERS CURATE
REP. COLLINS: WE ARE SEEING THAT
PLAYED OUT OVER AND OVER.
LET'S SWITCH BACK TO SOMETHING
-- WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE
INVESTIGATION, ESPECIALLY GOING
WITH FLYNN.
DO YOU BELIEVE THERE WAS A BASIS
TO GOING AFTER GENERAL FLYNN?
WHAT WE HAVE SEEN, AND WHAT IS
BEEN RELEASED, DO YOU BELIEVE
THERE IS A BASIS FOR THE
BEGINNING OF THIS INVESTIGATION
TO START WITH OR CONTINUING IT?
A.G. BARR: I WOULD SAY I ASKED
ANOTHER U.S. ATTORNEY IN ST.
LOUIS WHO HAD 10 YEARS IN THE
FBI AND 10 YEARS IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AS A
CAREER PROSECUTOR TO TAKE A LOOK
AT IT, AND HE DETERMINED BASED
ON DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN
PROVIDED TO FLYNN'S SIDE AND NOT
PROVIDED TO THE COURT THAT THERE
WAS NO BASIS TO INVESTIGATE.
FURTHERMORE, IT WAS CLEARLY
ESTABLISHED BY THE DOCUMENT THE
FBI AGENT THAT INTERVIEWED HIM
DID NOT BELIEVE HE THOUGHT HE
WAS LYING.
REP. COLLINS: THERE IS ANOTHER
PART THAT CONCERNS WHAT HAS BEEN
GIVEN TO THE COURTS AND THE
INTERVIEWS, AND THAT IS THAT THE
FACTS WERE NOT DISCLOSED TO
FLYNN PRIOR TO THE INTERVIEW.
THAT SEEMS LIKE A BRADY
VIOLATION.
DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A BRADY
VIOLATION?
A.G. BARR: THERE WAS NOT A BRADY
VIOLATION, BUT WHAT THE COUNCIL
CONCLUDED WAS THE ONLY PURPOSE
OF THE INTERVIEW, THE ONLY
PURPOSE WAS TO TRY TO CATCH HIM
AND THEREFORE THERE WAS NOT A
LEGIT -- THE INTERVIEW WAS
UNTETHERED TO ANY LEGITIMATE
INVESTIGATION.
REP. COLLINS: SO IS THE TOP LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE
COUNTRY IT IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE
JUSTICE FOR BOTH SIDES, CALL AS
IT SHOULD BE AND I THINK THAT IS
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.
CONTINUING ON THE DURHAM CASE,
TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE, AND WE ARE
SEEING RELEASE DOCUMENTS IN THE
LAST WEEK OR TWO, TO YOUR
KNOWLEDGE HAS KEVIN KLEINSMITH
OR ANYONE WHO IS THERE ATTEMPTED
TO REDEEM THEMSELVES BY
COOPERATING WITH YOU?
A.G. BARR: I CANNOT GET INTO
THAT.
REP. COLLINS: I UNDERSTAND.
I HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE AS WE
FINISH UP AND LOOKING AT THIS.
I THINK THE DURHAM INVESTIGATION
IS SOMETHING MOST OF US WERE
WAITING FOR BECAUSE WE CANNOT
GET THIS COMMUNITY TO BELIEVE
THE IG IS WORTH -- THERE IS
NOT A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN WHO
CANNOT MAKE A CLAIM WHY THE
INSPECTOR GENERAL HAS NOT BEEN
CALLED TO EXPLAIN HIS REPORT
EXCEPT POLITICS.
I'VE ANOTHER PROBLEM.
I READ ABOUT THIS.
THAT IS WITH THE DISTRICT
ATTORNEY IN FULTON COUNTY,
GEORGIA, MAKING FELONY MURDER
CHARGES ON AN OFFICER.
THE INTERESTING PART ABOUT THIS
IS WHAT -- WERE YOU AWARE THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY FAILED TO SEEK
AN INDICTMENT FOR GRAND JURY OR
WAITED FOR AN INVESTIGATION
BEFORE BRINGING UP CHARGES.
WERE YOU AWARE OF THAT?
A.G. BARR: I WAS.
REP. COLLINS: AS AN ATTORNEY AND
LOOKING AT THIS FROM THE
ENVIRONMENT WE HAVE WITH POLICE
OFFICERS CONSTANTLY UNDER ATTACK
, AND ESPECIALLY FROM THE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AS AN
ATTORNEY AND A PROSECUTOR, YOU
THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO
CHARGE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
WITH A CRIME AS SEVERE AS FELONY
MURDER, WITHOUT OBTAINING AN
INDICTMENT FROM A GRAND JURY AND
BY YOU ANNOUNCE THE CHARGES, LAY
OUT A CASE FULL OF FALSEHOODS?
A.G. BARR: I HAVE SAID I
WOULD'VE PREFERRED THAT HE HAD
USED THE GRAND JURY AND HAD
WAITED UNTIL THE GEORGIA BUREAU
HAD COMPLETED ITS INVESTIGATION.
REP. COLLINS: I APPRECIATE YOUR
HELP IN THAT AND WITH THAT I
YIELD BACK.
>> THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES MR.
JOHNSON FROM GEORGIA.
REP. JOHNSON: YOUR OPENING
STATEMENT READS LIKE IT WAS
WRITTEN BY ALEX JONES OR ROGER
STONE.
SEN. JOHNSON: I AM SURE WE CAN
AGREE ON SOMETHING.
THE FACT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS
A PROLIFIC TWEETER.
A.G. BARR: HE SEEMS TO BE.
SEN. JOHNSON: HE TWEETED MANY
TIMES ABOUT THE ROGER STONE
SENTENCING.
A.G. BARR: I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY
TIMES.
SEN. JOHNSON: YOU ARE AWARE OF
THEM BECAUSE YOU SAID IT HURT
YOU FROM DOING YOUR JOB.
ISN'T IT TRUE THAT WHEN
PROSECUTORS IN THE ROGER STONE
CASE FILED A MEMO WITH THE COURT
RECOMMENDING A SENTENCE OF 7-9
YEARS IN PRISON, A FEW HOURS
LATER PRESIDENT TRUMP TWEETED
THAT IT WAS A DISGRACE.
SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THAT, YOU
FILED WITH THE COURT STATING
THAT THE SENTENCING
RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE CHANGED
AND YOU WOULD BE ASKING FOR A
LIGHTER SENTENCE.
IS THAT CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: NO, WHAT IS CORRECT
IS THAT ON FEBRUARY 10, MONDAY,
I GAVE INSTRUCTIONS.
I AM ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION.
SEN. JOHNSON: I AM RECLAIMING MY
TIME.
YOU FILED A SENTENCING
RECOMMENDATION HOURS AFTER
PRESIDENT TRUMP TWEETED HIS
DISSATISFACTION WITH THE STONE
RECOMMENDATION.
YOU CHANGED IT.
A.G. BARR: I AM TELLING MY
STORY.
THAT IS WHY I AM HERE.
SEN. JOHNSON: YOU ARE HERE TO
ANSWER MY QUESTION.
I AM RECLAIMING MY TIME.
I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO ANSWER.
THE FACTS ARE CLEAR.
SENTENCING RECOMMENDATION MADE
IN THE MORNING.
TWEET IN THE AFTERNOON.
YOU CHANGE THE SENTENCING
RECOMMENDATION.
A.G. BARR: THE TWEET WAS MADE AT
2:00 IN THE MORNING.
SEN. JOHNSON: IT WAS MADE BEFORE
AND AFTER.
WHEN YOU FILED YOUR SENTENCING
RECOMMENDATION ASKING FOR A
LOWER SENTENCE, YOU SAID YOU
WOULD RECOMMEND A LOWER
SENTENCE.
WASN'T THE SENTENCE THAT WAS
RECOMMENDED BY THE PROSECUTORS
ACCORDING TO THE SENTENCING
GUIDELINES?
A.G. BARR: IT WAS WITHIN THE
GUIDELINES.
BUT IT WAS NOT WITHIN JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT POLICY.
SEN. JOHNSON: YOU ARE EXPECTING
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO BELIEVE
THAT YOU DID NOT DO WHAT TRUMP
WANTED YOU TO DO.
WHEN YOU CHANGE THAT SENTENCING
RECOMMENDATION AND LOWERED IT
FOR ROGER STONE.
YOU THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE
CARRYING OUT TRUMP'S -- 
A.G. BARR: I HAD NOT DISCUSSED
MY SENTENCING RECOMMENDATION
WITH ANYONE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
SEN. JOHNSON: YOU DID WHAT THE
PRESIDENT WANTED YOU TO DO.
A.G. BARR: DO YOU THINK IT IS
FAIR FOR A 67-YEAR-OLD MAN TO BE
SENT TO PRISON FOR 7-9 YEARS.
SEN. JOHNSON: YOU JUST SAID THAT
IT WAS AN ACCORDING TO THE
SENTENCING.
I WILL MOVE ON FROM THAT.
YOU NEVER CHANGED A SENTENCE
RECOMMENDATION FOR A FRIEND OF
GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH.
A.G. BARR: AS I RECALL.
SEN. JOHNSON: OVER THE COURSE OF
YOUR TIME WITH TOP -- TRUMP, YOU
CHANGED TO SENTENCING
RECOMMENDATIONS.
A.G. BARR: WHICH WHERE THEY?
SEN. JOHNSON: MICHAEL FLYNN.
A.G. BARR: I DIDN'T CHANGE IT.
SEN. JOHNSON: YOU INDICATED --
YOU CHANGED IT BECAUSE THE
ORIGINAL SENTENCING WAS FOR HIM
TO SERVE 0-6 MONTHS, BUT THE
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUPPLEMENTED
THAT RECOMMENDATION WITH A
PLEADING THAT STATED PROBATION
WOULD BE A REASONABLE --
SENTENCE.
IS THAT CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: I DON'T THINK THAT IS
WHAT IT SAID.
SEN. JOHNSON: GO BACK AND READ
IT.
RECLAIMING MY TIME.
>> TIME HAS EXPIRED.
>> YOU CAN GIVE A SPEECH OR YOU
CAN ASK QUESTIONS.
IF YOU DO THE LATTER, YOU NEED
TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU FOR APPEARING
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TODAY.
THERE IS A DISTURBING PATTERN WE
HAVE SEEN THROUGHOUT HISTORY
WITH TOTALITARIAN SYSTEMS OF
GOVERNMENT.
THEY FIRST SEEK TO DISARM THE
POPULATION.
THE AMERICAN LEFT HAS BEEN
INFECTED WITH THE SAME
TOTALITARIAN DESIRE TO REMOVE
FIREARMS AND SILENCE OPPOSING
VIEWS.
WE HAVE SEEN THIS SCENARIO PLAY
OUT IN EVERY MAJOR DEMOCRAT RUN
CITY IN AMERICA.
WE EVEN SAW A FAILED
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SAY HE
WOULD TAKE AWAY THEIR GUNS.
NOW THE AMERICAN LEFT IS
ACTUALLY CHEERING AS ANTIFA
RAGES IN THE STREETS.
IT IS A DOMESTIC TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION THAT ORGANIZES
ARMED RIOTS.
, LUTES STORES, AND SPREADS
HATE.
REPORTS OF ATTACKS BEGAN
CIRCULATING IN 2017.
THEY JUMPED INTO THE NATIONAL
CONVERSATION AFTER A JOURNALIST
WAS BRUTALLY ATTACKED IN
PORTLAND.
NO ARRESTS WERE MADE.
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, THE WALL
STREET JOURNAL RAN AN OP-ED
SAYING PORTLAND HAS TO DO
SOMETHING TO DETER POLITICAL
VIOLENCE OR THE CITY WILL GET
MORE OF IT.
OF COURSE, THE CITY'S FECKLESS
LEADERSHIP IS ONLY ENCOURAGED
THESE VIOLENT ANTICS.
WE HAVE SEEN 61 STRAIGHT NIGHTS
OF VIOLENCE IN PORTLAND.
THESE TOTALITARIAN ACTIVITIES
ARE NOW SPREADING TO OTHER
DEMOCRAT RUN CITIES.
THEY ORGANIZED A FAMILY-FRIENDLY
EVENT IN HONOR OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY.
THE ATMOSPHERE WAS PEACEFUL AND
THE COUNTERPROTESTERS WERE GIVEN
PLENTY OF SPACE.
A SWARM OF VIOLENT ANTIFA THUGS
INFILTRATED PEACEFUL BLACK LIVES
MATTER COUNTERPROTESTERS AND
BEGAN ASSAULTING PRO-POLICE
AMERICANS.
POLICE WERE ORDERED TO RETREAT A
DETECTIVE SAID, I AM SORRY ON
BEHALF OF THE RANK-AND-FILE.
THAT IS NOT US.
THAT IS NOT WHO WE ARE.
IT KILLS ME THAT WE LET THIS BE
DOWN.
HE CONTINUED, I FOUND OUT THAT A
RETREAT ORDER WAS GIVEN BY THE
COMMANDER.
WE HAD ONE LIEUTENANT STEP UP
AND SAY WE ARE NOT LEAVING.
HE SAID THESE PEOPLE WILL GET
KILLED IF WE DO NOT STAY.
SO HE KEPT HIS PEOPLE THERE.
THAT IS THE REASON THIS THING
DID NOT GET WORSE.
THESE ARE SAD TIMES IN AMERICA.
FREE SPEECH ON THE RIGHT TO KEEP
AND BEAR ARMS ARE BOTH BEING
THREATENED BY VIOLENT
ANARCHISTS.
THIS HAS TO STOP.
WE CANNOT AND PEOPLE CONTINUE
TERRORIZING OUR COUNTRY.
CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US ABOUT THE
APPROPRIATE USE OF CIVIL AND
CRIMINAL CALL STATUTES TO
ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIMINAL GROUPS?
A.G. BARR: IN THE WAKE OF THE
BEGINNING OF THESE RIOTS, I
ASKED OUR JOINT TERRORISM TASK
FORCE TO BE OUR PRINCIPAL MEANS
OF DEVELOPING EVIDENCE AND
PROSECUTING VIOLENT EXTREMISTS
TERRORISTS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN
THESE ACTIVITIES.
ONE OF THE TOOLS WE WOULD USE IS
RICO.
THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE CURRENTLY
HAVE A CASE PENDING.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT
TO SAY IN RESPONSE TO THE
SPEECHES THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY
THE OTHER SIDE WHEN YOU HAVE
BEEN CUT OFF?
A.G. BARR: --  >> THE GENTLEMAN
TIME IS EXPIRED.
A.G. BARR: AND I ASK FOR A
RECESS?
>> 10 MINUTES?
A.G. BARR: FIVE.
>> WE WILL STAND IN RECESS FOR
FIVE MINUTES.
>> THE COMMITTEE IS IN RECESS.
>> THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
HEARING FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL
BARR.
THE CHAIR, JERRY NADLER, WAS ON
A FENDER BENDER.
TAKING A SHORT BREAK HERE AT THE
REQUEST OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
THE U.S. HOUSE IS NOT IN SESSION
TODAY IN HONOR OF THE LATE
CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS.
THE PUBLIC VIEWING CONTINUES ON
THE EASTERN FRONT OF THE U.S.
CAPITOL.
YOU CAN FOLLOW THAT AT
C-SPAN.ORG.
LATER, THE PRESIDENT WILL HOLD A
NEWS CONFERENCE.
WE WILL HOLD -- CARRY THAT LIFE.
>> THE COMMITTEE IS IN SESSION.
>> THANK YOU.
YOU JUST TOLD US THAT NOTHING
WAS EVER ELEVATED.
YOU SAID IN AN INTERVIEW
RECENTLY THERE IS A ESCALATION
IN PLACE.
HOW WAS THIS ELEVATED TO YOU?
A.G. BARR: ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY
10, THE U.S. ATTORNEY WAS WITH
ME AND HE RAISED THE ISSUE WITH
ME.
>> HAD IT BEEN ELEVATED BETWEEN
THE TWO MONTHS THAT THIS CAME IN
UNDER THE FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY?
A.G. BARR: I THINK HE MAY HAVE
HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE.
>> DID YOU EVER HAVE
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FORMER
U.S. ATTORNEY ABOUT THIS CASE?
>> I DO NOT RECALL ANY
DISCUSSION.
>> YOU SAID IN THE INTERVIEW
THAT HE WAS NEW, HE HAD JUST
STARTED.
BUT HE HAD WORKED FOR YOU FOR A
LONG TIME.
WHAT WAS HIS JOB?
A.G. BARR: WHEN I WAS ATTORNEY
GENERAL 30 YEARS AGO.
HE WAS ON MY STAFF.
>> HE ADVISED YOU ON CRIMINAL
JUSTICE POLICY?
A.G. BARR: CORRECT.
>> YOU NAMED HIM ACTING U.S.
ATTORNEY.
HAD YOU DISCUSSED THE STONE CASE
WITH HIM?
A.G. BARR: NO.
YOU SAID HE CAME IN THE WEEK
BEFORE.
TO SEE SOME SENIOR STAFF.
A.G. BARR: HE MAY HAVE HAD SOME
DISCUSSIONS.
I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THEM.
NO SUBSTANCE OF INVOLVEMENT WITH
STONE UNTIL HE CAME IN ON THE
MORNING.
I THINK HE HAD RAISED IT WITH
THE DEPUTY OFFICES.
>> THE FIRST WEEK HE WAS THERE
HE CAME TO RAISE THIS ISSUE.
A.G. BARR: I THINK HE STARTED
FEBRUARY 1.
>> THAT IS WHAT YOU TOLD ABC
NEWS.
THAT HE TALKED TO SENIOR STAFF.
A.G. BARR: I THINK I SPEAK
ENGLISH.
HE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS.
DID YOU TALK TO THE SENIOR STAFF
?
>> THEY SAID HE WAS TRYING TO
WORK SOMETHING OUT.
HE WAS OPTIMISTIC THAT SOMETHING
COULD BE WORKED OUT.
>> HE FILED THE SENTENCING MEMO
AND IT CALLED FOR 7-9 YEARS.
THEN YOU OVERRULED AND ASKED FOR
A LOWER SENTENCE.
DID THAT APPLY TO ROGER STONE?
A.G. BARR: I CANNOT REVEAL ALL
OF THE INFORMATION.
>> DOES THAT APPLY?
A.G. BARR: NO.
DID WHAT APPLY?
>>'S HEALTH.
A.G. BARR: HEALTH IS A REASON.
>> WAS THAT THE CASE FOR ROGER
STONE?
AGE CAN BE A CONSIDERATION ONLY
IF IT CREATES CONDITIONS TO AN
UNUSUAL DEGREE.
HE IS 67.
A.G. BARR: THE JUDGE AGREED WITH
ME.
>> I AM NOT ASKING YOU THAT.
A.G. BARR: I KNOW YOU'RE NOT.
THE ISSUE HERE IS WHETHER ROGER
STONE WAS TREATED DIFFERENTLY
BECAUSE HE WAS FRIENDS WITH THE
PRESIDENT.
WHEN YOU ASKED TO REDUCE THE
SENTENCE, YOU SAID ENHANCEMENTS
WERE TECHNICALLY APPLICABLE.
DO YOU THINK OF OTHER TIMES WHEN
A DEFENDANT THREATENED TO KILL A
WITNESS, THREATEN TO A JUDGE,
LIED TO A JUDGE WHERE THE
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THOSE
WERE MERE TECHNICALITY.
A.G. BARR: THE JUDGE AGREED WITH
US.
>> I AM NOT ASKING ABOUT THAT.
I AM ASKING ABOUT WHAT YOU DID
TO REDUCE THE SENTENCE HE
THREATENED THE LIFE OF A
WITNESS.
A.G. BARR: CAN I ANSWER THE
QUESTION?
>> I AM ASKING IF THERE IS
ANOTHER TIME.
A.G. BARR: THE JUDGE AGREED WITH
ME.
>> IT IS THE APPEARANCES.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT.
THE RULE OF LAW FOR EVERYBODY.
AND WE DON'T IN THIS CASE
BECAUSE HE IS A FRIEND OF THE
PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
I AM A MEMBER OF THIS COMMITTEE
AND THE APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE.
I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE
FUNDING IN THE OPERATION OF THE
DEPARTMENT.
I SERVED ON THE CITY COUNCIL IN
MY HOMETOWN OF MIKE CONAWAY
ALABAMA.
I WITNESSED THE VALUE OF
DIFFERENT GRANT PROGRAMS.
IT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
ALABAMA CENTER FOR MISSING AND
EXPLOITED CHILDREN.
IT HAS DONE A GREAT JOB
COMBATING CHILD EXPECTATION.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT CONGRESS IS
ADEQUATELY FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT
PROVIDE STATES AND LOCAL
AGENCIES WITH THE TOOLS THAT
THEY NEED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN
PREVENTING AND PURSUING CRIMES
SUCH AS CHILD EXPECTATION AND
HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
PARTICULARLY OVER THE INTERNET?
A.G. BARR: I THINK WE COULD
ALWAYS USE MORE RESOURCES.
THE U.S. ATTORNEY CAME TO ME AND
SAID THE PROSECUTORS WERE
THREATENING TO RESIGN.
THERE WAS NO COMPARABLE CASE TO
SUPPORT THAT SENTENCE.
IT WOULD'VE BEEN VERY DISPARATE.
ALL OF THE CASES WERE CLUSTERED
AROUND A THREE YEAR SENTENCE FOR
THAT.
THE WAY THEY HAD GOTTEN TO THAT
NUMBER WAS APPLYING AN
ENHANCEMENT.
THERE ARE DEBATES ALL THE TIME
WITHIN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
ABOUT THE UPPER CALCULATIONS
THEY WERE SAYING HE HAD A PHONE
CALL AT NIGHT AND TOLD THE
WITNESS LET'S GET IT ON.
I WILL KILL YOUR DOG.
WE THOUGHT THAT TECHNICALLY
COULD APPLY BUT IN THIS CASE IT
DID NOT AFFLICT THE OVERARCHING
CONDUCT.
WE MAKE INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENTS
OF THE DEFENDANT.
NOTHING IS EXCESSIVE.
THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE TRYING TO
FORCE THE U.S. ATTORNEY TO ADOPT
THAT SENTENCE.
I MADE THE DECISION THOUGH, WE
ARE GOING TO LEAVE IT UP TO THE
JUDGE.
LATER, WHEN THAT WAS NOT DONE
THAT EVENING, I TOLD PEOPLE WE
HAVE TO GO BACK AND CORRECT THAT
THE NEXT MORNING.
THAT WAS THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE PROOF
AND THE FOOTINGS IN VE DAY.
THE JUDGE WOULD NOT HAVE GONE
ALONG WITH THE FIRST
RECOMMENDATION BECAUSE THE
ENHANCEMENT ARTIFICIALLY
INFLATED THE EXPOSURE OF THE
DEFENDANT.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE
QUESTION IS FAIRNESS TO THE
INDIVIDUAL.
EVEN THOUGH I WAS GOING TO GET A
LOT OF CRITICISM FOR DOING THAT.
>> I AM HAPPY TO HAVE YIELDED
YOU TIME TO RESPOND.
I AM A DEPARTING MEMBER OF
CONGRESS.
I HAVE JUST A FEW SHORT MOMENTS
LEFT.
I WANT TO EXPRESS TO YOU HOW
MUCH THIS IS MEANS TO ME.
I AM INCREASINGLY ALARMED ABOUT
THE WAY THAT CHILDREN ARE ONE
CLICK AWAY FROM BEING ON A FORUM
OR A CHAT ROOM WITH BAD ACTORS.
I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK.
A.G. BARR: ONE OF THE MOST
DIFFICULT ISSUES COMING UP HIS
ENCRYPTION.
REP. BASS: LAST AUGUST, WHEN
SPEAKING TO THE NATIONAL
FRATERNAL ORDER OF PLACE, YOU
SHARED YOUR VIEWS THAT THIS WILL
MAKE EVERYONE SAFE.
YOU SAID ZERO-TOLERANCE FOR
RESISTING POLICE.
A.G. BARR: I THINK IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT.
REP. BARR: A ZERO IS COSTING
LIVES.
ELIJAH MCCLAIN WAS WALKING HOME
FROM A CONVENIENCE STORE WHEN HE
WAS APPROACHED BY POLICE.
HE HAD NOT COMMITTED A CRIME.
POLICE HELD HIM IN A CHOKE HOLD
AND THEN INJECTED HIM WITH
KETAMINE.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CASE?
DO YOU KNOW HOW FREQUENTLY
CADMAN IS USED -- KETAMINE IS US
ED?
DO YOU KNOW IF POLICE
DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN DIRECTED
TO DOCUMENT PARAMEDICS?
A.G. BARR: NO.
REP. BASS: I GUESS YOU HAVE NOT
EVALUATED THE USE OF FORCE
TACTICS SINCE BECOMING ATTORNEY
GENERAL.
A.G. BARR: NOT WITH RESPECT TO
THAT.
>> WILL YOU COMMIT TO DIRECTING
THE DEPARTMENT TO EVALUATING THE
PROTOCOLS AROUND THE USE OF
KETAMINE, CHOKEHOLD, AND OTHER
USES OF FORCE?
A.G. BARR: ABSOLUTELY.
UNDER THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE
ORDER, WE ARE REVIEWING THAT.
REP. BASS: ESPECIALLY THE
KETAMINE.
THAT IS PRETTY OUTRAGEOUS.
GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED BY A
POLICE OFFICER VIA CHOKEHOLD.
HE WAS SUSPECTED OF USING A
COUNTERFEIT $20 BILL.
CONSIDER JAMES HOLMES, WHO
MURDERED 12 PEOPLE AND INJURED
70 OTHERS IN A MOVIE THEATER IN
AURORA, COLORADO THE SAME TOWN
AS ELIJAH MCCLAIN.
HE WORE BODY ARMOR, HAD A KNIFE,
SEMI AUTOMATIC WEAPONS, AND IN
AR-15.
YET HE WAS CALMLY ARRESTED BY
THE SAME POLICE DEPARTMENT AS
ELIJAH MCCLAIN WITHOUT A
CHOKEHOLD OR INJECTION OF ENEMY.
DYLAN ROOF USED A GUN TO INJURE
NINE PEOPLE.
WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED, NO
CHOKEHOLD, NO INJECTIONS.
HE WAS TREATED SO WELL THAT
OFFICERS BROUGHT HIM BURGER
KING.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THAT CASE.
A.G. BARR: YES.
REP. BASS: I RACIST TOO EXAMPLE
TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT MY
COLLEAGUE FROM TEXAS HIGHLIGHTED
EARLIER.
THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT DOING
ENOUGH TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF
RACISM, BIAS, AND BRUTALITY IN
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
WHEN SOMEONE WHO COMMITS MASS
MURDER IS CALMLY ARRESTED WHILE
A YOUNG MAN WALKING DOWN THE
STREET IS PLACED IN A CHOKEHOLD
AND INJECTED WITH KETAMINE.
YOU SET UNDER THE EXECUTIVE
ORDER THE ADMINISTRATION IS
LOOKING AT CHOKEHOLD.
WHAT HAVE YOU DETERMINED SO FAR?
A.G. BARR: WE ARE SETTING UP A
SYSTEM OF CERTIFICATION OF
POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
THAT WOULD INCLUDE LIMITATIONS
ON USE OF FORCE.
REP. BASS: PART OF THAT ACT
CALLED FOR A NATIONAL REGISTRY
OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
TAMIR RICE MIGHT BE ALIVE TODAY
IF THE POLICE CHIEF WHO HIRED
THAT OFFICER HAD KNOWN THAT THE
OFFICER HAD BEEN FIRED FROM
ANOTHER DEPARTMENT.
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF A NATIONAL
REGISTRY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICERS?
A.G. BARR: THE SECOND ASPECT OF
THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER
IS TO SET UP A DATABASE.
IF POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE NOT
REPORTING THAT INFORMATION, THEY
WITHOUT THE CERTIFIED.
REP. BASS: THANK YOU.
I WANT TO COMMENT ON PART OF
YOUR OPENING STATEMENT WHEN YOU
SAID AFTER THE JIM CROW.
THAT OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS
EQUAL.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT.
A.G. BARR: I SET THE LAWS WERE
MADE EQUAL.
REP. BASS: THEY ARE CERTAINLY
NOT APPLIED EQUALLY.
WE HAVE SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS IN OUR
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
2.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE U.S.
ARE INCARCERATED.
34% ARE BLACK.
WHILE AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE JUST
13% OF THE U.S. POPULATION.
IT IS NOT THE NUMBERS, IT IS THE
PERCENTAGE.
REP. GAETZ: YOU DESCRIBED THE
PROSECUTION OF ROGER STONE AS
RIGHTEOUS.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT UNCOVERING
THE CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY THAT
EXISTS WHERE PEOPLE IN OUR OWN
GOVERNMENT ARE TRYING TO
CONVINCE INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES
AROUND THE WORLD TO DESTABILIZE
OUR ELECTION AND DISCREDIT OUR
PRESIDENT WOULD BE MORE
RIGHTEOUS.
I DON'T THINK ANY OF THOSE OTHER
FOLKS ARE KILLING ANYONE OR
BURNING DOWN OUR BUILDINGS.
I WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS OUR
EFFORTS.
YOU SAID ANTIFA IS A TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION.
WHAT IS YOUR BASIS FOR THAT
BELIEF?
A.G. BARR: I'M NOT SURE I SAID
TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.
I SAID WE ARE INVESTIGATING AS
OF TERRORISM.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF VIOLENT
EXTREME GROUPS IN THE U.S. AND
THEY ARE ACROSS THE SPECTRUM.
ANTIFA IS HEAVILY REPRESENTED IN
THE RECENT RIOTS.
THEY HAVE 10 IDENTIFIED AS BEING
INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF VIOLENT
MOB ACTIONS.
REP. GAETZ: SOME SAY ANTIFA IS A
MYTH.
THAT THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THIS
VIOLENCE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT
ISRAEL.
WHAT IS YOUR REACTION?
A.G. BARR: I DON'T THINK IT IS A
MYTH.
ANTIFA CAN BE BEST THOUGHT OF AS
AN UMBRELLA TERM FOR WHAT IS
ESSENTIALLY A MOVEMENT COMPRISED
OF LOOSELY ORGANIZED GROUPS
AROUND THE COUNTRY.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF GROUPS AND
CENTERS OF ACTIVITY.
THE GROUPS ARE LOOSELY ORGANIZED
BUT THEY ARE DEFINITELY
ORGANIZED.
THEY DO NOT GET ALONG VERY WELL.
THEY TEND TO GET ORGANIZED FOR
AN EVENT.
THERE IS A LOT OF ORGANIZATION
RIGHT BEFORE AN EVENT OCCURS.
REP. GAETZ: THAT IS A REALLY
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION WHEN
CONSIDERING HOW TO APPLY OUR
RICO LAWS TO SOMETHING LIKE
THIS.
THAT STRIKES ME AS LEGALLY
DISTINCT.
I WONDER IF THERE IS A RISK IF
THIS WILL METASTASIZE TO OTHER
PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
A.G. BARR: WE ARE CONCERNED
ABOUT THIS.
WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE TO, AND A
PLACE LIKE PORTLAND, OR EVEN
WHERE WE DO NOT HAVE THE SUPPORT
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT OR LOCAL
GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE TO TAKE A
STAND AND DEFENDS FEDERAL
PROPERTY.
WE CANNOT GET TO A LEVEL WHERE
WE WILL ACCEPT THESE KINDS OF
VIOLENCE.
REP. GAETZ: IF YOU DID WHAT MY
DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES WERE
ASKING, IF YOU ABANDON THAT
FEDERAL PROPERTY AND ALLOW
PEOPLE INSIDE TO BE HARMED, IS
IT YOUR VIEW THAT ANTIFA AND
OTHER VIOLENT PEOPLE WOULD
CIVILLY STOP AND ACCEPT THAT AS
THEIR SOLE VICTORY?
OR IS IT YOUR EXPERT OPINION
THAT THEY WOULD NOT STOP?
A.G. BARR: THERE IS NO DOUBT IN
MY MIND IT WOULD SPREAD.
REP. GAETZ: WHAT COMFORT CAN YOU
GIVE AMERICANS IN MY DISTRICT
AND AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT YOU
WILL STOP THE BURNING?
THAT YOU WILL GIVE CONFIDENCE TO
REGULAR AMERICANS THAT THEY CAN
GO OUT IN THE STREETS?
A.G. BARR: AS YOU CAN SEE IN
PORTLAND, WE HAVE A SMALL NUMBER
OF FEDERAL OFFICERS.
IT IS A GREAT STRAIN BUT WE
CANNOT STAND ASIDE AND ALLOW
FEDERAL COURT TO BE DESTROYED.
REP. GAETZ: THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE AND YOUR GREAT WORK.
>> THANK YOU.
STARTED WITH ELOQUENT WORDS
ABOUT JOHN LEWIS.
WHEN YOU CAME HERE AND BROUGHT
YOUR TOP STAFF, YOU BROUGHT NO
BLACK PEOPLE.
THAT IS SYSTEMATIC RACISM.
THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT JOHN LEWIS
SPENT HIS LIFE FIGHTING.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT ACTIONS
SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.
YOU REALLY SHOULD KEEP THE NAME
OF JOHN LEWIS OUT OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE'S MOUTH.
LET ME ALSO SAY, YOU TALKED
ABOUT THE BOGUS RUSSIA
INVESTIGATION.
IS RUSSIA ATTEMPTING TO
INTERFERE IN THE 2020 PRESIDENT
ELECTION?
A.G. BARR: I THINK WE HAVE TO
ASSUME THEY ARE.
>> THANK YOU.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE INTEGRITY
OF THE ELECTION, WHICH IS ALSO
SOMETHING CONGRESSMAN LEWIS
FOUGHT FOR.
KENNY SITTING U.S. PRESIDENT
MOVE AND ELECTION DATE?
A.G. BARR: I HAVE NOT LOOKED
UNDER THAT IN THE CONSTITUTION.
>> IF YOU TAKE THAT AS THE
CORRECT STATUE, IS THERE ANY
EXECUTIVE ACTION?
A.G. BARR: I HAVE NEVER LOOKED
INTO IT.
>> DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS 2020
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WILL BE
RIGGED?
A.G. BARR: I HAVE NO REASON TO
THINK IT WILL BE.
>> PRESIDENT TRUMP TWEETED THAT
THE ELECTION WILL BE RIGGED.
BUT HE ALSO TWEETED THAT WHEN HE
WAS LOSING TO HILLARY CLINTON.
I DON'T WANT TO BE TOO
POLITICAL.
DO YOU BELIEVE AS ATTORNEY
GENERAL THAT MAIL-IN VOTING WILL
LEAD TO MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD?
A.G. BARR: I THINK THERE IS A
HIGH RISK THAT IT WILL.
>> DO YOU EVER VOTE BY MAIL-IN
BALLOT?
A.G. BARR: I DID ONCE.
>> WHAT YOU BELIEVE OTHER PEOPLE
VOTING BY MAIL-IN BALLOT COULD
LEAD TO MASSIVE FRAUD?
A.G. BARR: WHAT I HAVE MADE VERY
CLEAR IS I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT
COMPLICATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO
HAVE TO BE OUT OF THE STATE OR
HAVE SOME PARTICULAR NEED OR
INABILITY TO GOING VOTE.
>> YOU DO UNDERSTAND THAT
AFRICAN-AMERICANS
DISPROPORTIONALLY DO NOT SURVIVE
COVID-19?
A.G. BARR: YES, I THINK THAT IS
RIGHT.
>> THIS WOULD NOT BE THE FIRST
TIME THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS
WOULD RISK THEIR LIVES TO VOTE
IN THIS COUNTRY TO PRESERVE ITS
DEMOCRACY.
THE SUGGESTION IS THAT OF THEM
HAVING THE ABILITY TO VOTE BY
MAIL WOULD SOMEHOW LEAD TO
MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD.
A.G. BARR: I DID NOT SAY THAT.
IF YOU HAVE WHOLESALE MAIL-IN
VOTING, IT INCREASES THE RISK OF
FRAUD.
>> CAN A PRESIDENT PROTEST
BECAUSE HE LOST AN ELECTION?
A.G. BARR: PROTEST IN WHAT
SENSE?
>> CAN HE CONTEST AND ELECTION
BECAUSE HE LOSES?
THAT WAS OVER A SLIM VOTER
MARGIN.
IF IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE
PRESIDENT HAS LOST AN ELECTION,
DOES HE HAVE A REMEDY TO
CONTESTED?
A.G. BARR: NOT THAT I AM AWARE
OF.
>> LET ME GO BACK TO WHAT
REPRESENTATIVE BASS MENTIONED.
YOU MENTIONED EIGHT AFTER
MARRYING -- AFTER AMERICANS
KILLED BY THE POLICE.
IF YOU USE THOSE NUMBERS, 85
PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS
WHITE.
42% OF THE DEATHS ARE
AFRICAN-AMERICAN.
THAT IS A GLARING DISPARITY IN
TERMS OF POPULATION.
A.G. BARR: NOT NECESSARILY.
YOU HAVE TO ADJUSTED BY THE RACE
OF THE CRIMINAL PERPETRATOR.
>> I JUST DID THAT FOR YOU.
I'M USING YOUR NUMBER.
I WANTED TO GIVE YOU THAT BASED
ON YOUR NUMBERS.
A.G. BARR: THE STUDIES I HAVE
SEEN HAVE SUGGESTED TWO THINGS.
POLICE ARE LESS LIKELY TO SHOOT
AT A BLACK SUSPECT.
A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKELY TO
SHOOT AT A WHITE SUSPECT.
THE FACT THAT POLICE ARE MORE
INCLINED TO USE NONLETHAL FORCE
AND A CONTACT WITH AN
AFRICAN-AMERICAN SUSPECT.
IN TERMS OF THE STATISTICS, THAT
IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME.
>> IN THE DATA YOU HAVE, THAT IS
INCORRECT.
I AM INTERESTED IN SEEING IT.
SEND ME THE DATA ON
AFRICAN-AMERICANS WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
HOW MANY YOU HAVE IN LEADERSHIP
RANKS.
I YIELD BACK.
REP. NADLER: I WOULD REMIND YOU
TO STOP VIOLATING THE RULES OF
THE COMMITTEE.
STOP VIOLATING THE SAFETY OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.
STOP HOLDING THEMSELVES OUT AS
NOT CARING BY REFUSING TO WEAR
THEIR MASKS.
>> IT IS PERMISSIBLE TO DRINK A
SIP OF COFFEE?
>> THAT IS WHY I TOOK OFF MY
MASK.
REP. NADLER: MR. JORDAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
REP. JORDAN: THE JUDGE AGREED
WITH YOUR SENTENCING?
A.G. BARR: THAT IS RIGHT.
REP. JORDAN: WOULD ST. JOHN'S
CHURCH BE STANDING TODAY IF YOU
HAD NOT TAKEN ACTION?
A.G. BARR: THAT WAS ON SUNDAY
NIGHT.
I THINK LAW ENFORCEMENT DID USE
TEAR GAS.
SO THE FIRETRUCKS COULD GET IN
TO SAVE IT.
REP. JORDAN: SEVEN PEOPLE AT THE
TREASURY DEPARTMENT UNMASKED
MICHAEL FLYNN'S NAME.
THIS IS AN ISSUE YOU'RE LOOKING
INTO?
A.G. BARR: I ASKED ANOTHER U.S.
ATTORNEY TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE
OF UNMASKING.
BECAUSE OF THE HIGH NUMBER OF
UNMASKING'S AND SOME THAT DO NOT
READILY APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN IN
THE LINE OF NORMAL BUSINESS.
REP. JORDAN: THERE IS ANOTHER
INVESTIGATION GOING ON?
A.G. BARR: YES.
REP. JORDAN: THAT IS GREAT.
HE IS LOOKING AT HOW THIS
STARTED.
REP. JORDAN: 38 PEOPLE 49 TIMES
UNMASKED HIS NAME.
THAT WAS IN THE FINAL DAYS OF
THE OBAMA-BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.
A.G. BARR: OVER A MUCH LONGER
TIME.
REP. JORDAN: EVEN BEFORE THAT.
I APPRECIATE THAT.
OUR PEACEFUL PROTESTS VIOLENT?
A.G. BARR: NO.
REP. JORDAN: DO THEY DESTROY
BUSINESSES?
A.G. BARR: NO.
REP. JORDAN: TO THE INJURE
OFFICERS?
A.G. BARR: NO.
REP. JORDAN: TODAY ATTACK
CIVILIANS?
A.G. BARR: NO.
REP. JORDAN: TO THE BURNED DOWN
BUILDINGS?
A.G. BARR: NO.
REP. JORDAN: THE VIDEO WE PLAY,
IT IS REALLY HARD TO WATCH.
TO SEE THAT HAPPENING IN OUR
GREAT COUNTRY.
THE START OF IT WAS ALMOST
LAUGHABLE WHERE YOU HAVE THE
REPORTER SAYING, AS A BUILDING
IS BURNING BEHIND HIM, IT IS NOT
AN UNRULY PROTEST.
HE SAID IS IT'S A PEACEFUL
BURNING BUILDING.
IS DEFUNDING THE POLICE A
RATIONAL POLICY?
A.G. BARR: NO.
IF ANYTHING, I AM MORE CONCERNED
THAT THE POLICE BE ADEQUATELY
FUNDED.
AND GET MORE RESOURCES.
A LOT OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO
DO TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS
PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT MINNEAPOLIS
ARE GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.
ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN OUR
COUNTRY IS WE HAVE 18,000 LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
MOST OF THEM ARE VERY SMALL.
WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY OF
TRAINING AND MAKING SURE THE
TRAINING IS BEING PUSHED OUT.
REP. JORDAN: IS IT DANGEROUS TO
DEFUND THE POLICE?
A.G. BARR: EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
REP. JORDAN: ARE YOU FAMILIAR
WITH THE LETTER THAT THE CHIEF
OF POLICE OF SEATTLE SINCE TWO
BUSINESS OWNERS AND RESIDENTS?
A.G. BARR: YES.
SHE SAID SHE CANNOT PROTECT AND
DO HER JOB.
REP. JORDAN: THAT IS EXACTLY
WHAT SHE SAID.
THE POLICY THEY ARE TRYING TO
PASS GIVES OFFICERS KNOWABILITY.
TO SAFELY INTERCEDE.
SHE ALSO SAID, SHE HAD GIVEN THE
CITIZENS THAT SHE IS SUPPOSED TO
SERVE, I HAVE DONE MY DUE
DILIGENCE.
THIS IS WHY IT IS SO DANGEROUS.
SHE SAID SEATTLE POLICE WILL
HAVE AN ADJUSTED DEPLOYMENT.
THAT IS A NICE WAY OF SAYING,
YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.
WE CANNOT HELP YOU.
HERE'S THE KICKER.
THAT IS HOW RIDICULOUS THIS IS.
I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.
I YIELD BACK.
>> THE JOB THAT THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL IS TO DEFEND THE BEST
INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE.
YOU HAVE UNDERMINES DEMOCRACY.
UNDERMINE THE CONSTITUTION.
THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AND
WELL-BEING OF THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE.
ALL TO BENEFIT DONALD TRUMP.
YOU TESTIFIED THERE IS NO
MECHANISM FOR A PRESIDENT TO
CONTEST AN ELECTION THAT HAS
RARELY BEEN WON BY THE OPPONENT.
WHAT WILL YOU DO IF DONALD TRUMP
LOSES THE ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3
BUT REFUSES TO LEAVE OFFICE ON
JANUARY 20?
A.G. BARR: IF THE RESULTS ARE
CLEAR, I WOULD LEAVE OFFICE.
>> DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS ANY
BASIS OR LEGITIMACY TO DONALD
TRUMP'S RECENT CLAIMS THAT HE
CANNOT PROVIDE AN ANSWER AS TO
WHETHER HE WOULD LEAVE OFFICE?
A.G. BARR: I AM NOT FAMILIAR
WITH THESE COMMENTS.
I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE COMMENTARY
ON THEM.
>> YOU PRAISED PRESIDENT TRUMP'S
CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE IS SUPERB.
OVER 150,000 AMERICANS HAVE
DIED.
MORE THAN 4 MILLION AMERICANS
HAVE BEEN INFECTED.
MORE THAN 5 MILLION HAVE LOST
THEIR HEALTH CARE.
1000 SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE
PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
50 MILLION AMERICANS ARE OUT OF
WORK.
LET'S EXPLORE.
A.G. BARR: I DISAGREE WITH THAT.
>> THAT WAS NOT A QUESTION.
FALSE -- TRUMP FALSELY CLAIMS
THAT THE NUMBER OF CORONAVIRUS
CASES WOULD GO TO ZERO IN A FEW
DAYS WAS THAT SUPERB?
A.G. BARR: I WOULD HAVE TO SEE
THE CONTEXT IN WHICH IT WAS
SAID.
>> HERE IS THE CONTEXT.
THE CASES DID NOT GO DOWN TO
ZERO.
IT IS OVER 4 MILLION.
IN MARCH, PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID
HE TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY AT
ALL FOR THE FAILURE IN TESTING.
WAS THAT SUPERB?
A.G. BARR: IT WAS ACCURATE.
THE PROBLEM WITH THE TESTING
SYSTEM WAS A FUNCTION OF
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S MISHANDLING OF
THE CDC.
HIS EFFORTS TO CENTRALIZE
EVERYTHING IN THE CDC.
A.G. BARR: THAT IS INACCURATE.
THAT IS A MYTH.
>> IN APRIL, PRESIDENT TRUMP
SUGGESTED THAT THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE INJECT THEMSELVES WITH
BLEACH.
WAS THAT SUPERB?
A.G. BARR: THAT IS NOT WHAT I
HEARD.
>> THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID.
THAT IS WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
HEARD.
YOU KNOW IT AND YOU CANNOT
DEFEND IT.
LET'S MOVE ONTO MAY.
ON NATIONAL NURSES DAY,
PRESIDENT TRUMP FALSELY CALLED
PPP SHORTAGES FAKE NEWS.
WHILE NURSES AND OTHER HEALTH
CORE -- HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONALS RESORTED TO
WEARING TRASH BAGS AND SKI
GOGGLES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.
WAS THAT SUPERB?
A.G. BARR: I THINK THE
ADMINISTRATION DID A GOOD JOB OF
MUSTERING PPE.
THE NATIONAL SUPPLY WAS RUN DOWN
DURING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.
A.G. BARR: THE ANSWER IS NO, IT
WAS NOT SUPERB.
BY JUNE, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD
CONSTANTLY CONTINUED TO REFUSE
TO WEAR A MASK.
DESPITE THE PUBLIC HEALTH
GUIDELINES FROM HIS OWN EXPERTS.
WAS THAT SUPERB?
A.G. BARR: WHICH GUIDANCE?
THE EARLIER GUIDANCE THAT THE
MASKS WOULDN'T WORK.
>> YOU KNOW EXACTLY THE GUIDANCE
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
THE CDC IN APRIL RECOMMENDED
THAT AMERICAN PEOPLE WEAR MASKS.
BUT DONALD TRUMP HAD TO BECOME
THE PAST -- POSTER BOY FOR SNS
BUSINESS.
THE ANSWER IS THE REFUSAL TO
WEAR MASKS NOT HER IN JULY,
PRESIDENT TRUMP FALSELY CLAIMED
THAT 99% OF COVID-19 CASES ARE
TOTALLY HARMLESS.
WITH THAT SUPERB?
A.G. BARR: I THINK ESSENTIALLY
WHAT HE WAS SAYING IS THAT THE
METALLIC THESE ARE VERY LOW.
-- FATALITIES ARE VERY LOW.
>> 150,000 AMERICANS ARE DEAD.
IT HAS BEEN A FAILURE OF EPIC
PROPORTIONS.
HIS RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS
PANDEMIC HAS BEEN THE WORST
FAILURE OF ANY PRESIDENT IN
AMERICAN HISTORY.
AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE
PAID THE PRICE.
I YIELD BACK.
REP. NADLER: WHO SEEKS
RECOGNITION?
>> I GUESS I DO.
I THINK IT IS MY TURN TO SPEAK.
REP. NADLER: THE GENTLEMAN IS
RECOGNIZED.
>> CHAIRMAN NADLER OPENED UP HIS
STATEMENT BY SAYING YOU CAN NO
LONGER HIDE BEHIND THE LEGAL
FICTION.
THAT CAUSED ME SOME
CONSTERNATION.
YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT HE IS
TALKING ABOUT?
A.G. BARR: I DON'T RECALL THAT
PHRASE IN WHAT CONTEXT IT WAS
IN.
>> WHO KNOWS WHAT CONTEXT.
HE WAS JUST KIND OF RATTLING ON.
HE WAS ATTACKING YOU AND YOUR
PERFORMANCE IN EVERYTHING YOU
COULD.
THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA
REFERRED TO CIVILIAN AGENTS AS
CIVILIAN TROOPS.
INTIMATING THAT PORTLAND WAS
PEACEABLE UNTIL FEDERAL AGENTS
ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.
ESSENTIALLY, IT IS LIKE BLAMING
A FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR SHOWING UP
TO PUT OUT A FIRE AND THEN BEING
BLAMED FOR THE FIRE.
WAS THERE VIOLENCE AND ATTEMPTS
TO BURN DOWN AND VANDALIZE THE
BUILDING AND ATTACK CIVILIAN
EMPLOYEES OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT PRIOR TO ANY OF THE
FEDERAL AGENTS IN PORTLAND?
A.G. BARR: MY RECOLLECTION IS
OUR MAIN ATTEMPTS TO REINFORCE
THEM AROUND THE FOURTH OF JULY.
>> TALK ABOUT LAFAYETTE SQUARE.
YOU HAD VIOLENT MOBS DISOBEYING
CURFEWS.
THEY BURNED AMERICAN FLAGS AND
SET FIRE TO ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL
CHURCH NEAR LAFAYETTE SQUARE.
SECRET SERVICE AND PARK POLICE
USE OF FORCE CLEARED THAT UP.
51 U.S. PARK POLICE OFFICERS
WERE INJURED DURING THE
PERIMETER EXPANSION.
DO YOU WANT TO EXPAND ON THE
ACTIONS?
A.G. BARR: FOR THOSE DAYS THERE
WAS UNPRECEDENTED RIDING RIGHT
AROUND THE WHITE HOUSE.
AROUND 90 OFFICERS WERE INJURED.
IT HAS BEEN SO BAD THAT IT WAS
REPORTED THAT THE SECRET SERVICE
RECOMMENDED THE PRESIDENT GO
INTO SHELTER.
WE HAD A BREACH OF THE TREASURY
DEPARTMENT.
ST. JOHN'S WAS ON FIRE.
BRICKS WERE THROWN AT THE POLICE
REPEATEDLY.
THEY TOOK CROWBARS TO LAFAYETTE
PARK AND THROUGH THEM AT THE
POLICE.
BALLOONS OF CAUSTIC LIQUID WERE
THROWN AT THE POLICE.
THERE WAS TOTAL CONSENSUS THAT
WE COULD NOT ALLOW THAT TO
HAPPEN.
THAT KIND OF RIOTING.
WE HAD TO MOVE THE PERIMETER OUT
ONE BLOCK AND PUSH IT UP TOWARD
ANOTHER STREET.
THERE WAS A PLAN AND BEING THAT
THE PARK POLICE AND SECRET
SERVICE HAVE WORKED OUT THE
NIGHT BEFORE.
TO PUT THE PERIMETER FURTHER
AWAY AND GIVE THEM TIME TO PUT A
NON-SCALABLE FENCE AROUND THE
NORTHERN PART OF THE PART.
THERE WERE ENOUGH UNITS IN PLACE
TO PERFORM IT.
WHEN THOSE THINGS WERE
ACCOMPLISHED, THE TACTICAL
COMMANDER IN CHARGE OF THE PARK
POLICE PRECEDED WITH THE
MOVEMENT OF PUSHING THE
PERIMETER.
THIS WAS CONCEIVED OF LONG
BEFORE AND DID NOT TURN TO THE
NATURE OF THE CROWD, ALTHOUGH I
WOULD SAY THE CROWD WAS UNRULY.
WHILE TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
WERE MADE BY THE PARK POLICE,
THEY TRIED TO RESPOND TO THE
SITUATION, TO SAY THIS HAD TO DO
WITH THE PHOTO OP, AND I DO NOT
NEED TO COMPARE THIS TO A
MILITARY OPERATION, BUT IT IS A
CAN TO SING WE INVADED THE
PHILIPPINES DURING WORLD WAR II
SO DOUGLAS MUST DARKER JUST SO
DOUGLAS MACARTHUR COULD WALK THE
BEACH.
>> THANK YOU.
YIELD.
>> GENTLEMEN YELLED BACK.
>> MR. BARR, DID YOU EVER
INTERVENE OTHER THAN TO GET THE
PRESIDENT'S FRIEND A REDUCED
SENTENCE?
A.G. BARR: A SENTENCING
RECOMMENDATION?
>> YEAH, DID YOU EVER INTERVENE,
OTHER THAN THAT CASE?
A.G. BARR: NOT THAT I RECALL.
I CANNOT REALLY REMEMBER MY
FIRST, IF YOU LET ME FINISH MY
QUESTION, 30 YEARS AGO I WAS
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
>> AS ATTORNEY GENERAL NOW?
A.G. BARR: NO, I DIDN'T.
ISSUES COME UP WITH A DISPUTE,
AND I NEVER HEARD OF A DISPUTE
IN THE DEPARTMENT.
WHEN MY PROSECUTOR STARTED TO
QUIT --
>> BECAUSE OF A -- MR. BARR,
AMERICANS FROM BOTH PARTIES ARE
CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE TWO
SYSTEMS, ONE FOR MR. TRUMP AND
HIS CRONIES AND ANOTHER FOR THE
REST OF US.
BUT THAT CAN ONLY HAPPEN IF YOU
ENABLE IT.
AT YOUR CONFIRMATION HEARING,
YOU ARE ASKED, DO YOU BELIEVE A
PRESIDENT COULD LAWFULLY ISSUE A
PARDON IN EXCHANGE FOR THE
RECIPIENT'S PROMISE NOT TO
INCRIMINATE HIM?
AND YOU SAID THAT WOULD BE A
CRIME.
YOU ARE ASKED, COULD A PRESIDENT
ISSUE A PARDON IN EXCHANGE FOR
THE RECIPIENT'S PROMISE TO NOT
INCRIMINATE HIM?
HE RESPONDED, NO, THAT WOULD BE
A CRIME.
CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: YES, I SAID THAT.
>> YOU SAID IT WOULD BE A CRIME.
AND WHEN HE SAID THAT, THAT A
PRESIDENT SWAPPING A PARDON TO
SILENCE A WITNESS WOULD BE A
CRIME, YOU ARE PROMISING THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT IF YOU SAW
THAT, YOU WOULD DO SOMETHING
ABOUT THAT.
IS THAT RIGHT?
A.G. BARR: THAT IS RIGHT.
>> ARE YOU INVESTIGATING DONALD
TRUMP FOR COMMUTING THE PRISON
SENTENCE OF LONGTIME FRIEND AND
POLITICAL ADVISOR ROGER STONE?
A.G. BARR: NO.
>> WHY NOT?
A.G. BARR: WHY SHOULD I?
>> HE WAS CONVICTED ON SEVEN
COUNTS DURING THE RUSSIAN
INVESTIGATION, AND HE LIED.
WHY WOULD HE LIKE?
IT WAS SAID HE LIED BECAUSE THE
TRUTH LOOK BAD FOR DONALD TRUMP.
DONALD TRUMP NOT GIVE -- IN
WRITTEN ANSWERS, THAT HE TALKED
TO ROGER STONE DURING A RUSSIAN
INFLUENCE OPERATION.
THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT TRUMP AND
STONE DID TALK DURING THAT TIME.
YOU WOULD AGREE THAT IT IS A
FEDERAL AGREE TO LIE UNDER OATH,
RIGHT?
A.G. BARR: YES.
>> A CRIME FOR YOU, A CRY FOR ME
COMMENSURATELY FOR THE PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES.
IS THAT RIGHT?
>> YES.
>> A DONALD TRUMP LIED TO THE
INVESTIGATORS, WOULD YOU AGREE
WAS A CRIME, DONALD TRUMP WOULD
BE IN THE POSITION TO EXPOSE THE
LAW.
DONALD TRUMP SAID ROGER STONE
HAD SHOWN GUTS ON TWITTER BY NOT
TESTIFYING AGAINST HIM.
A.G. BARR: I AM NOT AWARE OF
THAT.
>> DO YOU READ THE PRESIDENT'S
TWEETS?
A.G. BARR: NO.
>> THEY SAY A LOT, AND I THINK
YOU SHOULD START READING THEM HE
SAID ROGER STONE HAD GUTS.
THIS THAT I HAD 29 OR 30
CONVERSATIONS WITH TRUMP DURING
THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, AND TRUMP
KNOWS I WAS UNDER ENORMOUS RUSH
HER TO TURN ON HIM.
IT WOULD HAVE EASED MY SITUATION
CONSIDERABLY, BUT I DID NOT THE
PROSECUTORS WANTED ME TO PLAY
JUDAS, BUT I DID NOT.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THAT?
A.G. BARR: ACTUALLY, I AM NOT.
>> HOW CAN YOU SAY, WHY SHOULD I
INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES IF YOU'RE NOT EVEN
AWARE OF THE FACTS CONCERNING
THE PRESIDENT USING THE
COMMUTATION POWER TO SWAP THE
SIGNS OF A WITNESS?
A.G. BARR: BECAUSE WE REQUIRE A
RELIABLE PREDICATE BEFORE WE
OPEN A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.
>> I JUST GAVE TO YOU, SIR --
A.G. BARR: I DO NOT CONSIDER IT.
I CONSIDER IT A THEORY THAT YOU
HAVE.
>> IT SOUNDS LIKE --
A.G. BARR: THERE WOULD BE A LOT
MORE PEOPLE UNDER INVESTIGATION.
>> THE SAME DAY ROGER STONE SAID
THAT, DONALD TRUMP --
A.G. BARR: THE STANDARDS OF
JUSTICE WERE DURING THE TAIL END
OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.
>> ARE YOU AWARE THAT MICHAEL:
COME AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM
PRISON, WAS ASKED TO NOT ENGAGE
WITH THE MEDIA, INCLUDING TO
WRITE A BOOK?
WERE YOU AWARE THAT WAS ASKED OF
HIM?
A.G. BARR: WAS I AWARE?
NO.
>> DO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE IN
YOUR DEPARTMENT WAS AWARE?
A.G. BARR: MAYBE I SHOULD TELL
YOU WHAT HAPPENED.
HE WAS FURLOUGHED FROM THE
BUREAU OF PRISONS.
>> NO, TELL US WHAT HE WAS ASKED
--
A.G. BARR: I WILL TELL YOU.
SOMETHING PEOPLE DO NOT SEEM TO
UNDERSTAND WAS AT HIS HOME
CONFINEMENT WAS NOT BEING
SUPERVISED BY THE BUREAU OF
PRISONS.
IT WAS BEING SUPERVISED BY THE
PROBATION OFFICE, WHICH IS PART
OF THE U.S. COURT SYSTEM.
AND THE U.S. COURT SYSTEM HAD
THE REQUIREMENTS OF THAT --
>> THAT U.S. COURT SYSTEM CALL
YOUR ACTIONS RETALIATORY.
DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?
A.G. BARR: WHAT I KNOW IS WHAT
HAS BEEN SAID IN COURT BEFORE
THE JUDGE ON THE RECORD, WHICH
IS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WAS THEN
CALLED BY THE U.S. COURT SYSTEM
SAYING THAT THIS GUY COHEN'S AND
COMFORT -- UNCOOPERATIVE AND NOT
AGREEING TO THE POSITIONS, AND
AT THAT POINT THE BUREAU OF
PRISONS PERSON MADE THE DECISION
HE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR
HOME CONFINEMENT.
>> A JUDGE SAID NO OTHER INMATE
HAD EVER BEEN ASKED OF, IN HIS
EXPERIENCE.
YOU TOLD ABC NEWS THAT THE
PRESIDENT'S TWEETS SOMETIMES
MAKE YOUR JOB IMPOSSIBLE.
SIR, YOUR JOB IS ONLY IMPOSSIBLE
IF YOU ENABLE THE PRESIDENT'S
CORRUPT SCHEMES.
I YELLED BACK.
-- YIELD BACK.
>> THE CONSTITUTION SAYS THE
PRESIDENT SHALL HAVE THE POWER
TO GRANT REPRIEVES AND PARDONS
FOR OFFENSES AGAINST THE UNITED
STATES EXCEPT FOR CASES OF
IMPEACHMENT.
DO YOU KNOW ANY OTHER
LIMITATIONS ON THE PRESIDENT'S
POWER TO PARDON?
A.G. BARR: NO.
>> HAS A PRESIDENT EXCEEDED THAT
POWER?
A.G. BARR: NO.
>> MY COLLEAGUES IMPLIED THAT IN
CHALLENGING THE SENTENCING
IMITATION OF ROGER STONE, YOU
WERE DOING THE BIDDING OF THE
PRESIDENT.
HE DID NOT WANT TO HEAR YOUR
RESPONSE.
I WOULD.
A.G. BARR: NO, ROGER STONE, I
NEVER DISCUSSED OUR SENTENCING
RECOMMENDATION WITH ANYONE
OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE.
IT WAS A VERY CONDENSED PERIOD
OF TIME.
I MADE THE DECISION THAT WE
SHOULD NOT TAKE A POSITION AS TO
THE PRECISE SENTENCE BUT SHOULD
LEAVE IT UP TO THE JUDGE, AND WE
SHOULD NOT AFFIRMATIVELY
ADVOCATE FOR SEVEN TO NINE
YEARS, AND I MADE THAT ON
MONDAY, THE 10TH, AND THAT NIGHT
WE FILED, THE DEPARTMENT FILED,
AND IT DID NOT REFLECT WHAT I
HAD CITED, SO THAT NIGHT I TOLD
PEOPLE WE HAD TO FIX IT FIRST
THING IN THE MORNING.
SO WE DID AS SOON AS I GOT IN.
WE WENT FORWARD WITH A PLAN TO
FILE.
AT THAT POINT I LEARNED ABOUT
THE PRESIDENT'S TWEETS BECAUSE I
DO NOT MONITOR THE PRESIDENT'S
TWEETS, AND I HESITATED BECAUSE
I KNEW THAT I WOULD BE ATTACKED
FOR DOING IT.
PEOPLE WOULD ARGUE THAT I DID IT
BECAUSE OF THE TWEET.
BUT I FELT, AT THE END OF THE
DAY, I REALLY HAD TO GO FORWARD
WITH OUR FILING BECAUSE IT WAS
THE RIGHT THING TO DO, AND I AM
GLAD THE JUDGE AGREED WITH IT.
>> WE'RE LEARNING MORE AND MORE
ABOUT THE TARGETING PROSECUTION
AND EXTORTION F MICHAEL FLYNN I
PARTISAN OFFICIALS OF THE FBI.
NO ONE HAS BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE
FOR THIS GROTESQUE ABUSE OF
POWER.
KNOWING THAT AGENTS WITH A
POLITICAL AGENDA CAN TAKE
ANYTHING THAT SOMEONE SAYS, EDIT
IT, MISREPRESENT IT, PROSECUTE
IT, AND THEN EXTORT CONFESSIONS
BY THREATENING FAMILY MEMBERS
AND DO SO WITH UNITY, WHY WOULD
ANYONE EVER WANT TO TALK TO AN
FBI AGENT AGAIN?
A.G. BARR: I HAVE NOT REACHED
JUDGMENTS AND I'M NOT -- AND I'M
NOT SUGGESTING ALL THE SEXY SET
FORTH ARE TRUE, AND WE HAVE NOT
AT THIS POINT CHALLENGED THE
ACTIONS OF THE PROSECUTORS IN
COURT.
THE ORDER OF BUSINESS RIGHT NOW
IS, KNOWING WHAT WE KNOW NOW, WE
DO NOT THINK ANY OF THE U.S.
ATTORNEYS IN THE DEPARTMENT
WOULD HAVE PROSECUTED THIS CASE,
PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE BEHAVIOR
OF THE FBI BUT ALSO BECAUSE THE
EVIDENCE IS NOT THERE TO PROVE
IT BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.
AND PART OF WHAT I AM TRYING TO
ESTABLISH IS THAT WE WILL USE
THE SAME STANDARDS FOR EVERYBODY
BEFORE WE INDICT ANYBODY, AND
THIS GOES FOR BOTH SIDES.
WE WILL NOT PROSECUTE ANYONE,
ANYBODY, UNLESS THERE IS PROOF
BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT
THEY HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME.
NOT ESOTERIC MADE UP CRIME, BUT 
A CRIME.
>> FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS,
THE MOST POWERFUL AGENCIES IN
OUR GOVERNMENT TOOK INFORMATION
EVER KITTED BY AGENTS OF A
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN THAT IT WAS
FRAUDULENT, USED IT TO LAUNCH AN
INVESTIGATION ALLEGING TREASON
AGAINST A PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATE, THEN LEAKED THE
EXISTENCE OF THAT INVESTIGATION
IN MANNER THAT WAS CALCULATED TO
AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THE
ELECTION.
AND THEN USED IT IN A LARGELY
SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO OBSTRUCT
THE DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT.
ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO
RIGHT THIS WRONG BEFORE IT
BECOMES A PRECEDENT FOR FUTURE
ELECTION INTERFERENCE BY CORRUPT
OFFICIALS IN OUR JUSTICE AND
INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES?
A.G. BARR: NO, I REALLY CANNOT
PREDICT THAT.
AS YOU KNOW, THESE MATTERS ARE
BEING LOOKED INTO.
COVID DID DELAY THAT ACTION FOR
A WHILE.
BUT HE IS WORKING DILIGENTLY,
AND JUSTICE IS NOT SOMETHING YOU
ORDER UP ON A SCHEDULE LIKE
ORDERING A PIZZA.
>> THERE IS CONCERN THAT IF YOU
WERE SUCCEEDED WHY SOMEONE LIKE
KEITH ELLISON AS ATTORNEY
GENERAL, THIS WILL BECOME AN
INSTITUTIONALIZED PRACTICE IN
THE INVESTIGATION WILL SIMPLY GO
AWAY.
A.G. BARR: I UNDERSTAND YOUR
CONCERN.
>> ONE MORE THING, THE TERM WE
KEEP HEARING FROM THE LEFT IS,
THESE ARE MOSTLY PEACEFUL
PROTESTS MOSTLY PEACEFUL.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU EITHER
ARE OR YOU ARE NOT.
CALLING WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR
CITIES MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS
IS A LOT LIKE CALLING SCOT
PETERSON A MOSTLY FAITHFUL
HUSBAND OR AL CAPONE A MOSTLY
LAW-ABIDING BUSINESSMAN.
THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT
TO PEACEABLY ASSEMBLE.
WHERE DOES THAT RIGHT TO STOP?
A.G. BARR: WHEN IT BECOMES
VIOLENT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
THAT IS THE CHALLENGE HERE.
I MEAN, YOU HAVE HONEST PEOPLE
OUT PROTESTING AND DEMONSTRATING
AND THAT IS IMPORTANT FIRST
AMENDMENT ACTIVITY THAT WE
BELIEVE STRONGLY IN AND TRY TO
PROTECT.
AND THE PARTICULAR VIOLENT
OPPORTUNISTS THAT ARE INVOLVED
HERE GET INTO THOSE CROWDS AND
THEN START ENGAGING IN VERY
VIOLENT ACTIVITY AND HIJACK IT.
A LOT OF PROTESTERS HAVE BEEN
TELLING LAW ENFORCEMENT,
PROVIDING INFORMATION TO US,
ABOUT THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT
WITH THEM, NOT DEMONSTRATORS,
BUT THEY'RE COMING IN, AND A LOT
OF DEMONSTRATORS LEAVE WHEN THAT
HAPPENS BECAUSE THEY SEE WHAT IS
HAPPENING THEMSELVES.
>> WOULD YOU CALL THAT BALANCE A
MYTH?
>> THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.
MR. WU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
THANK YOU, MR. BARR, FOR BEING
HERE TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK SOME
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REGAL
STANDARD FOR SEIZING INTERESTING
PROTESTERS.
UNDER AN AMENDMENT, IT REQUIRES
PROBABLE CAUSE BEFORE YOU CAN
SEIZE AND ARREST A PROTESTER,
CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: YES.
YES.
>> OK, AND THE PROBABLE CAUSE
HAS TO BE PARTICULARIZED TO A
PARTICULAR PERSON, SO IF A
PROTESTER WAS MERELY STANDING
AROUND IN A CROWD AND SOMEONE
ELSE WAS SUSPECTED OF CRIMINAL
ACTIVITY, YOU CANNOT ARREST THAT
PEACEFUL PROTEST ARE.
IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS NO SUCH
THING AS PROBABLE CAUSE BY MERE
ASSOCIATION, CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: NOT STRICT LIKE, BUT
I DO SAY YOU DO NEED TO
PARTICULARIZED PROBABLE CAUSE.
>> AND IF THERE IS NO PROBABLE
CAUSE --
A.G. BARR: IF SOMEBODY JUMPED
INTO A GETAWAY CAR AND THERE ARE
THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE, THAT MIGHT
BE ENOUGH FOR PROBABLE CAUSE
BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
>> IF THERE IS NO PROBABLE
CAUSE, YOU CANNOT ARREST A
PROTESTER, CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: I SAID AT THE
BEGINNING, I REST HAS TO BE
PREDICATED ON PROBABLE CAUSE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
AN ARREST CAN ALSO OCCUR WHETHER
OR NOT A FEDERAL OFFICIAL SAYS
IT IS INTEREST.
FOR EXAMPLE, A FEDERAL OFFICER
TAKES A PROTESTER INTO CUSTODY,
TRANSPORTS THE PROTESTER TO A
FEDERAL BUILDING, DETAINS THE
PERSON FOR QUESTIONING, THAT
WOULD CONSTITUTE INTEREST
WHETHER OR NOT THE FEDERAL
OFFICIAL SAYS THE PERSON IS
UNDER ARREST, CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: THAT WOULD REQUIRE
THEIR INTENT TO REVIEW OF ALL
THE SPECIFICS INVOLVED.
>> ACTUALLY, IT WOULD NOT.
IN A CASE OF OVER 40 YEARS, THE
COURT SHOWS POLICE VOTED THE
FOURTH AND 15TH AMENDMENTS
WITHOUT PROBABLE CAUSE ARREST
AND THEY TOOK SOMEONE INTO
CUSTODY, TRANSPORTED HIM TO A
POLICE STATION, AND DETAINED
HIM.
THE ANSWER IS YES.
A.G. BARR: KNOW, THE ANSWER IS
THE FOURTH AMENDMENT IS
ULTIMATELY GOVERNED BY
REASONABLENESS, AND THERE CANNOT
BE CIRCUMSTANCES THE QUESTION
SOMETIMES IS WHEN SOMETHING
BECOMES CRIME.
>> THIS IS NOT A TRICK QUESTION,
MR. BARR.
I AM JUST TELLING YOU WHAT THE
SUPREME COURT SAID.
HERE'S THE PROBLEM, UNDER THE
STANDARD BLACK LETTER LAW WHICH
HAS BEEN IN EFFECT OVER 40
YEARS, BUT THE FEDERAL COURT DID
WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
FEDERAL FORCES IN FULL COMBAT
GEAR IN THE DARK OF NIGHT
GRABBED A PROTESTER HE WAS
PEACEABLY STANDING THERE, FORCED
THEM INTO AN UNMARKED VAN, DROVE
HIM TO A SEPARATE LOCATION,
SEARCHED HIM, DETAINED HIM, AND
QUESTIONED HIM.
THAT IS WHAT AUTHORITARIAN
REGIMES DO.
A.G. BARR: I DO NOT THINK THOSE
ARE THE FACTS.
>> I HAVE NOT ASKED THE QUESTION
YET, MR. BARR APPEARED WHAT THE
FEDERAL OFFICIALS IT WAS ILLEGAL
BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE PROBABLE
CAUSE.
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT?
BECAUSE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR
ADMITTED IT ON NATIONAL TV.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR KLEIN SAID THE
INDIVIDUAL THEY WERE QUESTIONING
WAS IN THE CROWD AND IN AN AREA
WHERE ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WAS
AIMING A LASER AT THE EYES OF
OFFICERS.
THAT IS GO BY ASSOCIATION THAT
IS WHAT THE FOURTH AMENDMENT
PROHIBITS.
HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE
PROTESTER WAS RELEASED AFTER
FEDERAL OFFICIALS CONCLUDED,
"THEY DID NOT HAVE WHAT THEY
NEEDED," WHICH SHOWS NO PROBABLE
CAUSE.
IT APPEARS THAT THE DEPUTY
DIRECTOR APPEARS TO HAVE SAID
THERE WAS NO PROBABLE CAUSE
BECAUSE HE ESSENTIALLY JUSTIFIES
THE ACTION AS SAYING IT WAS NOT
AN ARREST.
HE CALLS IT "A SIMPLE
ENGAGEMENT." I AM A FORMER
PROSECUTOR AND HAVE NEVER HEARD
THAT TERM BECAUSE IT IS A MADE
UP EXCUSE.
WHAT THESE FEDERAL OFFICIALS DID
WAS AN ARREST.
THEY GRABBED A PEACEFUL PROTEST
OR, FORCED HIM INTO THE VAN,
DROVE HIM TO A LOCATION,
QUESTION HIM.
THAT IS WHAT THE SUPREME COURT
PROHIBITED OVER 40 YEARS AGO.
A.G. BARR: I OVERSEE DO NOT KNOW
--
>> I HAVE NOT ASKED YOU A
QUESTION YET.
THERE WAS AN ARTICLE WHERE
FEDERAL AGENTS TOLD A REPORTER
THAT THERE IS NO BASIS FOR THESE
ARRESTS, SAYING, AT TIMES THEY
GRABBED AN INDIVIDUAL AND TAKE
THEM INSIDE THE COURTHOUSE FOR
QUESTIONING BEFORE DETERMINING
THAT THEY HAD NO PROBABLE CAUSE
TO CAUSE WITH ANY CRIME.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID THEY
COORDINATE WITH THE U.S.
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ON ALL THESE
ARRESTS.
I URGE YOU TO INSTRUCT YOUR
FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO COMPLY WITH
THE CONSTITUTION, AND I ASK YOU
TO INVESTIGATE THESE ARRESTS
BECAUSE MANY ARE IN VIOLATION OF
THE FOURTH AMENDMENT.
WE DO NOT LIVE IN A POLICE
STATE.
WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT.
I YIELD BACK.
>> GENTLE MAN YIELDS BACK.
>> THANK YOU.
SINCE THE REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT
ALLOW YOU ANY TIME TO ANSWER HIS
ALLEGATIONS, WOULD YOU CARE TO
ANSWER ANY OF HIS ALLEGATIONS?
A.G. BARR: YES.
OBVIOUSLY I DO NOT KNOW
PARTICULARS OF ANY INDIVIDUAL
CASE, BUT BASED ON MY GENERAL
UNDERSTANDING, WHAT HAD HAPPENED
WAS THAT WHEN THEY TRIED TO
EFFECTUATE ARRESTS OF THE
RINGLEADERS OR THE PEOPLE
ENGAGED IN VIOLENCE OR THAT THEY
SAW WITH LASERS AND SO FORTH AND
THEY WENT OUT, THEY WERE
IMMEDIATELY SWARMED BY PEOPLE IN
BLACK AND THERE WAS A LOT OF
VIOLENCE, SO THEY CANNOT
EFFECTUATE THE ARRESTS.
SO BASED ON SPECIFIC INFORMATION
AS THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE SEEN
DOING THINGS AND IDENTIFIED,
THEY LATER TRIED TO PICK THEM UP
WHEN THERE WAS LESS OF A RISK OF
THIS KIND OF MOB RESPONSE.
THE FACT THAT IF YOU HAVE
INFORMATION THAT SOMEONE HAS A
LASER AND IS USING IT AND LATER
PICK THEM UP AND HE DOES NOT
HAVE IT, IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT
THERE WAS NOT PROBABLE CAUSE.
IT MEANS HE DOES NOT HAVE THE
LASER.
THE QUESTION IS, WAS IT
REASONABLE FOR YOU TO RELY ON
THE INFORMATION THAT YOU HAD IN
THE IDENTIFICATION OF THAT
INDIVIDUAL?
IN SOME CASES IT COULD BE
MISIDENTIFICATION.
IN OTHER CASES, IT COULD BE THE
PERSON DITCHED THE LASER
APPEARED SO THERE IS A
DISTINCTION BETWEEN WHETHER THE
PERSON ULTIMATELY CAN BE SHOWN
TO HAVE VIOLATED THE LAW AND
WHETHER THERE WAS PROBABLE CAUSE
FOR THE POLICE TO MAKE THE
INQUIRY AND INTERROGATE THEM OR
ASK THEM QUESTIONS, AT LEAST.
>> THANK YOU, MR. ATTORNEY
GENERAL.
I HAVE TO TELL YOU, YOU PROBABLY
KNOW THIS, MY CONSTITUENTS ARE
SCARED.
AMERICANS ARE SCARED.
I MEAN, THEY WATCH THE TV AND
SEE ALL THIS RIOTING, LOOTING
GOING ON, STATUES BEING TORN
DOWN.
IN ARIZONA, WHERE I AM FROM,
MORE GUNS ARE BEING SOLD THAN
EVER.
I THINK THERE IS MORE NEW GUN
OWNERS THAN EVER.
AND THIS HAS TO STOP.
AND I THINK THAT IT IS REALLY
IMPORTANT, AS THE SAYING GOES,
THAT IN ORDER TO SOLVE A
PROBLEM, THE FIRST STEP IS TO
REALIZE THERE IS A PROBLEM.
SO I FIND IT VERY DISTURBING,
SHOULD I SAY, THAT CHAIRMAN
NADLER DENIES THAT ANTIFA EVEN
EXISTS.
HE SAID IT TO A REPORTER.
HE SAID IT ON THE FLOOR OF THE
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES THAT IT WAS A
FANTASY, A MADE UP FANTASY, AND
THEN IN THIS VERY ROOM JUST
RECENTLY, CONGRESSWOMAN JAYAPAL
WHO REPRESENTS THE SEATTLE AREA
SAID, WHEN I WAS TALKING ABOUT
THE AUTONOMOUS ZONE AND THE
TAKEOVER, SHE SAID THE AREA IS
JUST A A FEW MILES FROM WHERE I
SIT RIGHT NOW AND THERE IS NO
TAKEOVER.
THERE IS NO TAKEOVER.
SHE ALSO SAID LIES ARE BEING
SPREAD BY MY COLLEAGUES IN THE
COMMITTEE, THIS AREA IS
PERFECTLY PEACEFUL.
SHE ALSO SAID, MY REPUBLICAN
COLLEAGUES KEEP SAYING THE
SEATTLE POLICE PRECINCT WAS
TAKEN OVER BY PROTESTERS, THIS
IS INCORRECT, INCORRECT.
NO ONE HAS TAKEN OVER THAT
BUILDING.
MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL, IS THAT
YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT
HAPPENED THERE?
DO YOU AGREE WITH HER THAT
THERE WAS NO TAKEOVER?
>> IF YOU'RE GOING TO SAY MY
NAME, PLEASE SAY IT RIGHT.
>> WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT?
ALSO, WHY DO YOU THINK THESE
AUTONOMOUS ZONES IN DEMOCRAT-LED
CITIES ARE DANGEROUS TO AMERICA?
A.G. BARR: THEY ARE DANGEROUS
BECAUSE THEY ARE PURPORTING TO
KEEP ON THE OUTSIDE DULY
CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY OF THE
GOVERNMENT.
THEY ARE ALSO, TO MAKE HIM
OUTRAGEOUS BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE
WHO ARE LIVING NOW UNDER THIS
AUTONOMOUS ZONE HAVE NOT
SELECTED A GOVERNMENT.
THEY HAVE SELECTED THE DULY
AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT OF THE
CITY AND THE STATE.
SO IT IS QUITE AN OUTRAGE THAT
PEOPLE WOULD USE FORCE TO TAKE
OVER AN AREA.
BUT WHAT MAKES ME CONCERN FOR
THE COUNTRY IS, THIS IS THE
FIRST TIME IN MY MEMORY THAT THE
LEADERS OF ONE OF OUR GREAT TWO
POLITICAL PARTIES, THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY, ARE NOT COMING
OUT AND CONDEMNING MOB VIOLENCE
AND THE ATTACK ON FEDERAL
COURTS.
WHY CAN'T WE JUST SAY, YOU KNOW,
VIOLENCE AGAINST FEDERAL COURTS
HAS STOPPED?
CAN WE HEAR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
>> MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL, I
TOTALLY AGREE.
I SUPPORT WHAT YOU ARE DOING,
AND I SUPPORT WHAT PRESIDENT
TRUMP IS DOING FOR LAW AND ORDER
IN OUR COUNTRY, AND I YIELD BACK
.
>> THE COMMITTEE WILL STAND IN
RECESS FOR FIVE MINUTES.
[INDISCERNIBLE CHATTER]
>> THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
HEARING FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL
WILLIAM BARR, AN OVERSIGHT
HEARING TAKING A FIVE-MINUTE
BREAK.
IN CASE YOU MISSED ANY OF THE
HEARING, WE WILL HAVE IT ALL
LATER ONLINE AT C-SPAN.ORG.
WE WILL REAR THE HEARING IN ITS
ENTIRETY TONIGHT BEGINNING AT
8:00 EASTERN.
OUR OTHER LIVE COVERAGE TODAY
INCLUDES THE PRESIDENT, A NEWS
CONFERENCE SET FOR 5:00 A.M.
EASTERN.
WE WILL HAVE THAT LIVE HERE ON
C-SPAN.
>> THE COMMITTEE WILL RESUME
WITH THIS MEETING.
SIR, IN YOUR OPENING STATEMENT,
YOU CONTINUED YOUR ASSISTING
EFFORT TO UNDERMINE THE FINDING
OF RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN OUR
ELECTION.
IN MARCH 2019, HE SENT A LETTER
TO THE COMMITTEE
MISCHARACTERIZING ROBERT
KOEHLER'S FINDING THAT VLADIMIR
PUTIN INTERFERED IN THE 2016
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN
SWEEPING AND SYSTEMATIC FASHION
TO BENEFIT DONALD TRUMP.
MR. ROBERT MUELLER PROMPTLY
CALLED YOU UP FOR YOUR
MISCHARACTERIZATION IN A LETTER
YOU NEVER CORRECTED IT.
YOU THEN DELAY THE FULL REPORT,
LEAVING AMERICA IN PEOPLE'S
DOING WITH THEIR MISLEADING
SUMMARY OF SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT
TRUMP'S BOGUS CLAIMS THAT THERE
WAS NO COLLUSION OR OBSTRUCTION.
YOU REPEAT THE CLAIMS TODAY THAT
THERE WAS NO BASIS TO THE
INVESTIGATION AND IT WAS
POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AND
CALLING IT THE RUSSIA-GATE
SCANDAL.
IN DECEMBER 2019, THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT'S OWN INSPECTOR
GENERAL, MICHAEL HOROWITZ, FOUND
IT HAD BEEN INITIATED WITHOUT
POLITICAL BIAS AND
APPROPRIATELY.
A.G. BARR: NO.
>> THAT WAS NOT MR. HORWITZ'S
FINDING?
A.G. BARR: NO.
>> YOU ARE WRONG.
A.G. BARR: HE SAID HE FOUND --
>> RECLAIMING MY TIME, WITHOUT
POLITICAL BIAS.
RECLAIMING MY TIME, IN APRIL OF
THIS YEAR, THE REPUBLICAN-LED
SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE
UNANIMOUSLY FOUND THAT RUSSIA
INTERFERED WITH OUR ELECTIONS
AND ATTEMPTED TO UNDERMINE
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, CORRECT
CUSTOMER -- CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: I SAID SO, TOO.
>> IS IT EVER APPROPRIATE FOR A
PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT FOREIGN
ASSISTANCE IN AN ELECTION?
A.G. BARR: IT DEPENDS ON THE
ASSISTANCE.
>> IS IT EVER APPROPRIATE FOR
THE PRESIDENT PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATE EXCEPT OR SOLICIT
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE OF ANY KIND
IN HIS OR HER ELECTION?
A.G. BARR: NO, IT IS NOT
APPROPRIATE.
>> I SAW YOU HAD TO STRUGGLE
WITH THAT ONE, MR. ATTORNEY
GENERAL.
LET'S TURN TO THE FIRST
AMENDMENT.
AMERICANS HAVE BEEN EXERCISING
THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS
PEACEFULLY PROTEST POLICE
BRUTALITY AGAINST BLACK PEOPLE.
I LISTEN TO YOU THIS MORNING AND
READ YOUR STATEMENT, AND WE ARE
AWARE OF INDIVIDUALS ENGAGING IN
VIOLENT ACTS.
WE AGREE THAT IS WRONG, BUT
THERE WAS A LOT MISSING FROM
YOUR STATEMENT.
AS YOU HAVE SEEN, A VAST
MAJORITY OF PROTESTERS ARE
PEACEFUL, AND DESPITE THAT,
UNIDENTIFIED FEDERAL AGENTS HAVE
ATTEMPTED TO PREVENT PEACEFUL
AMERICANS FROM EXERCISING THE
FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, EVEN
USING UNMARKED VEHICLES TO GRAB
PROTESTERS OFF THE STREET AND
USING TEARGAS AMMUNITIONS
AGAINST THEM.
YOU FORCEFULLY CONDEMNED
PROTESTERS THIS MORNING.
LET ME ASK YOU, I HAVE YOU NOT
CONDEMNED THE FEDERAL OFFICERS
STANDING IN THE CITIES WITHOUT
PROPER TRAINING FOR ATTEMPTING
TO TAKE AWAY THE CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHTS OF AMERICANS PEACEFULLY
PROTESTING?
A.G. BARR: I HAVE NOT CONDEMNED
PROTESTERS.
PROTESTERS ARE GOOD.
.
THEY ARE PART OF THE FIRST
AMENDMENT.
WHAT I AM CONDEMNING IS PEOPLE
COMMITTING CRIMES.
>> WE AGREE.
DO YOU THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE
FOR OFFICERS TO USE FORCE
AGAINST PEACEFUL PROTESTERS, YES
OR NO?
A.G. BARR: NOT AGAINST PEACEFUL
PROTESTERS.
>> YOU ALSO DO NOT MENTION IN
YOUR TESTIMONY THAT UNDERWROTE
OFFICERS HAVE EVEN TEAR GRASSED
ELECTIVE REPRESENTATIVE --
TEARGAS ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES.
ONEWEST TEARGAS BY A FEDERAL
OCCUPYING FORCE.
THEY SAW THEM THROW CANISTERS OF
POISON IN A NONVIOLENT CROWD,
INCLUDING ELDERS AND THE
VULNERABLE.
ON JULY 23, MAYOR WHEELER SAID
HE WAS TEARGAS AND CALLS THEIR
ACTS ABOARD.
THESE ARE ELECTED
REPRESENTATIVES WITH GRAVE
CONCERNS THAT OFFICERS ARE USING
THESE TACTICS, INCLUDING
TEAR-GASSING NONVIOLENT, ELDERLY
AMERICAN.
DO YOU EVER THINK IT IS
APPROPRIATE TO USE TEARGAS ON
PEACEFUL PROTESTERS, YES OR NO?
A.G. BARR: THE PROBLEM IN THESE
THINGS SOMETIMES OCCURS BECAUSE
IT IS HARD TO SEPARATE --
>> MY QUESTION IS SPECIFIC.
DO YOU EVERYTHING IT IS
APPROPRIATE TO USE TEARGAS ON
PEACEFUL PROTESTERS, YES OR NO?
A.G. BARR: IT IS APPROPRIATE TO
USE TEARGAS WHEN IT IS INDICATED
--
>> ON PEACEFUL PROTESTERS?
A.G. BARR: AN UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY
AND UNFORTUNATELY, PEACEFUL
PROTESTERS ARE AFFECTED BY IT.
>> THERE IS VIDEO EVIDENCE, AS
WELL.
I WILL ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THIS
VIDEO.
[VIDEO CLIP]
>> THIS IS THE VIDEO CAPTURING
THE NATION'S ATTENTION THIS
WEEKEND.
>> THAT VIDEO IS OF SUPER DAVID,
A NAVY VETERAN, BEING BEATEN AND
TEAR GASSED BY OFFICERS.
DO YOU THINK THAT WAS
APPROPRIATE?
A.G. BARR: I DID NOT SEE THE
TEARGAS.
THERE SEEMS TO BE GAS IN THE
AREA.
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT KIND OF GAS
AND I DO NOT KNOW IT WAS
DIRECTED AT HIM.
>> DO YOU THINK IT WAS
APPROPRIATE?
A.G. BARR: THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
IS REVIEWING THAT.
>> DO YOU THINK YOU DESERVE TO
GET PEPPER SPRAY AND BEATEN
TO THE POINT OF BROKEN BONES?
A.G. BARR: THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
WILL REVIEW THE INCIDENT.
>> AS THE TOP LAW-ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIAL IN OUR COUNTRY, DO YOU
THINK PEACEFUL AMERICAN
PROTESTERS DESERVE TO BE BEATEN,
PEPPER SPRAY AND HAVE THEIR
BONES BROKEN BY FEDERAL
OFFICERS?
A.G. BARR: I DO NOT THINK WHAT
WAS HAPPENING IMMEDIATELY AROUND
THE COURTHOUSE WAS A PEACEFUL
PROTEST.
>> THAT IS NOT MY QUESTION.
MY QUESTION IS, -- RECLAIMING MY
TIME.
RECLAIMING MY TIME, MR. BARR.
DO YOU THINK AS THE TOP LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL IN THIS
COUNTRY, THAT AMERICANS WHO SHOW
UP EASILY PROTEST SHOULD BE
EXPECTED TO BE BEATEN, AND HAVE
THEIR BONES BROKEN BY FEDERAL
OFFICIALS AND PEPPER SPRAY?
A.G. BARR: I DO NOT THINK
PEACEFUL PROTESTERS SHOULD FACE
THAT.
>> IS THIS DETECTING THE FIRST
AMENDMENT OF FREEDOM FOR
AMERICANS AT LEAST AS IMPORTANT
AS PROTECTING A BUILDING FROM
VANDALISM -- I HAVE NOT CLOSED
THE QUESTION.
YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE IT
AWAY AND WHAT IS WORSE IS FOR
THE SOLE PURPOSE OF FURTHERING
THE PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL
AGENDA.
THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING THE
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOR
AMERICANS AND NOT TO SERVE AS
THE PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL BULLY.
IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING EVERY
SEPARATE JET AND PERSON WHO
MARCHED TO END CHILD LABOR AND
ABOLITIONIST WHO MARCHED TO AND
SLAVERY WAS A PROTESTER.
IT TRANSFORMED US FROM COLONISTS
INTO A NATION OF PROTESTERS.
THEY ARE DEEP AMERICAN EXAMPLES
OF VALUES, AND A DESIRE FOR THE
COUNTRY TO BE AT ITS BEST SELF.
ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST BELOVED
AND EFFECTIVE PROTESTERS, JOHN
LEWIS, LIES IN STATE 1008 FROM
HERE IN A DESERVED RACE OF
HONOR.
SIR, YOUR FAILURE TO RESPECT
PEACEFUL PROTESTERS IN THIS
COUNTRY IS A DISGRACE, AND
AMERICAN IN, AND IT IS IMPORTANT
TO REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE ABOUT,
BLACK LIVES MATTER.
ABUSE AT THE HANDS OF POLICE ON
BLACK AMERICANS.
ONE TO YOU TO SEE A VIDEO THAT
FAIRLY REPRESENTS PEACEFUL
PROTESTS HAPPENING ACROSS
AMERICA THAT YOU CONVENIENTLY
OMITTED YOUR TESTIMONY AND
STATEMENT.
THERE WAS A NINE MINUTE VIDEO
SHOWN BY THE OTHER SIDE.
IT IS NOT ONLINE, ONLY PART OF
IT.
[VIDEO CLIP]
♪
>> HANDS UP, PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT
ME.
♪
>> ♪ HANDS UP, PLEASE DO NOT
SHOOT ME
HANDS OF, PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT ME
HANDS UP, PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT ME
HANDS UP, PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT ME
HANDS UP, PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT ME
HANDS UP, PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT ME
HANDS UP, PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT ME
HANDS UP, PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT ME
♪ ♪
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, REAL QUICK, I
DO NOT THINK WE HAVE EVER HAD A
HEARING WHERE THE WITNESS WAS
NOT ALLOWED TO RESPOND TO POINTS
MADE, QUESTIONS ASKED, AND
ATTACKS MADE.
NOT JUST IN THIS HEARING OR
COMMITTEE BUT EVERY COMMITTEE I
HAVE IN ON, PARTICULARLY WHEN
YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE
HAVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE
UNITED STATES HERE.
>> THE GENTLEMAN DOES NOT HAVE
TIME.
>> I DO NOT WANT THE TIME BUT I
WENT THERE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO
HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO RESPOND TO
ACCUSATIONS AND RUSSIANS ASKED
OF HIM AND YOU NOT CUT HIM --
AND QUESTIONS ASKED OF HIM AND
NOT YOU CUT HIM OFF.
>> WHAT YOU WANT IS IRRELEVANT
OF THE RULES.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, AM I GOING TO
GET AN ADDITIONAL 2.5 MINUTES
THAT HE HAD?
>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
>> GENERAL BARR, THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND
YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE TO ENSURE
OUR COUNTRY IS SAFE.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO IGNORE THE
MOB.
THESE ATTACKS FROM, KRATZ AND
THE LEFT WING BIASED, MAINSTREAM
MEDIA.
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.
THE MASS MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY
SUPPORTS YOU, SUPPORTS YOU
FROM KEEPING OUR COUNTRY SAFE
FROM RIOTERS, NUDISTS AND
ANARCHISTS.
I AM HAPPY -- LOOTERS, AND
ANARCHISTS.
I AM HAPPY YOU ARE AT THE HEAD.
I WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS ON THE OF
FACT OF THE REPORT ON THE FBI'S
UNLAWFUL SURVEILLANCE OF TRIM
CAMPAIGN -- TRUMP CAMPAIGN
ASSOCIATES.
ISN'T IT TRUE THAT THEY FOUND
UNDER THE OBAMA-WRITING
ADMINISTRATION MADE 17
SIGNIFICANT ERRORS IN PHIS
APPLICATIONS ARE SO REAL TRUMP'S
TRUMP CAMPAIGN ASSOCIATE CARTER
PAGE?
A.G. BARR: I THINK THAT IS
RIGHT.
>> HOW MANY ERRORS ARE
ACCEPTABLE WHEN THE FBI TARGETS
AMERICANS?
A.G. BARR: NONE ARE ACCEPTABLE.
>> THEN THERE WAS THE COMPLETE
FILE FAILURE THE FBI OPERATED
UNDER THE OBAMA-BITING
ADMINISTRATION.
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FOUND 51
ASSERTIONS IN THE FIVE
APPLICATIONS FOR THE
SURVEILLANCE PAGE.
ONE A SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
LACKING, TWO, IT DID NOT SUPPORT
THE FACTUAL ASSERTION, OR THREE,
IT SHOWED THE FACTUAL ASSERTION
WAS INACCURATE.
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL TESTIFIED
THERE SHOULD NOT HAVE EVEN BEEN
ONE ERROR, YET, HE FOUND 51.
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR
SURVEILLANCE TARGETING AMERICANS
TO BE INTACT?
A.G. BARR: ESPECIALLY UNDER FISA
, WHICH IS A COUNTERINTELLIGENCE
TOOL AND IS NOT HAVE THE SAME
BUILT-IN PROTECTIONS THAT THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS WOULD
HAVE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT
BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO BE
SPYING ON AMERICANS THAT YOU
HAVE DEMONSTRATED AN APPROPRIATE
BASIS FOR DOING THAT, AND
THEREFORE, THERE IS AN ON THE
INVESTIGATIVE AGENCY, IN THIS
CASE, THE FBI, TO HAVE ACCURATE
INFORMATION ON THE BASIS OF
THEIR SURVEILLANCE.
I THINK THE BUREAU HAS BEEN
WORKING VERY HARD TO CORRECT
THOSE PROBLEMS AND PUT IN PLACE
A MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE SYSTEM OF
GUARANTEEING THAT THE
INFORMATION IS ACCURATE.
>> IS IT TRUE THE FBI UNDER THE
OBAMA-BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAD
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO OBTAIN
A PFIZER WARRANT AND DID NOT
LOOK AT FACTS ON PROBABLE CAUSE?
A.G. BARR: I DO NOT WANT TO
CHARACTERIZE IT.
THIS IS PART OF WHAT IS UNDER
REVIEW.
SOME EXCULPATORY INFORMATION WAS
NOT PASSED ALONG TO THE COURT,
LET ME PUT IT THAT WAY.
THAT WAS EVIDENT IN THE
INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT.
>> I WILL YIELD THE REMAINDER OF
MY TIME TO MR. JORDAN.
>> THANK YOU FOR YIELDING.
DO YOU DEPLOY FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT TO ENFORCE FEDERAL
LAW?
A.G. BARR: YES.
>> DO YOU APPLY FEDERAL
LAW-ENFORCEMENT TO PROTECT A
DUAL PROPERTY?
A.G. BARR: YES.
>> FOR THE FEDERAL BUILDING IN
PORTLAND BE STANDING TODAY VIEW
DID NOT DEPLOY FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT?
A.G. BARR: I DO NOT THINK SO.
TO HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS
TO SET IT AFIRE.
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A SMALL
CONTINGENT OF MARSHALS INSIDE
THE COURT POSES A THREAT TO
ANYBODY'S FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT.
THEY SET UP A FENCE ON FEDERAL
PROPERTY, I AM TOLD, AROUND THE
COURT, AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE
ARRESTED, IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE
TRYING TO COME INTO THE FENCE.
THESE ARE NOT PEACEFUL
PROTESTERS.
THEY BRING POWER TOOLS TO CUT
THE WIRE AND SO FORTH TO GET IN.
THIS IS A STRANGE OCCUPATION
WHEN YOU HAVE 100, 120 FEDERAL
PEOPLE BEHIND THE FENCE TRYING
TO PROTECT THE BUILDING AND ALL
THESE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO CUT
THEIR WAY IN.
THAT IS THE OCCUPATION OF THE
CITY?
>> THANK YOU.
DID THE CHICAGO FRATERNAL ORDER
OF POLICE OR PRESIDENT ASKED FOR
YOUR HELP?
A.G. BARR: DUDE WHO ASKED?
>> THE HEAD OF THE FOP -- DAVID
WHO ASKED FOR MY HELP -- DID WHO
ASKED FOR MY HELP QUESTION ARE
A.G. BARR: THE FOP IN CHICAGO?
A.G. BARR: I THINK HE DID.
>> IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD
LIKE TO ADD TO MR. HORWITZ'S
REPORT?
>> MY UNDERSTANDING --
A.G. BARR: MY UNDERSTANDING OF
THE RECOLLECTION IS IT DID NOT
NINE BIAS, AND HE MADE THAT
CLEAR AND SUBSEQUENT TESTIMONY.
HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIND A
DOCUMENT OR EVIDENCE
DEMONSTRATING BIAS.
>> WOULD IT BE HELPFUL IF MR.
HORWITZ CAME IN FRONT OF THE
COMMITTEE AND THE INDIVIDUAL WHO
RAISED CONCERN COULD ASK HIM
HIMSELF ABOUT WHAT HE FOUND IN
THE REPORTS THAT WE HAVE NOT YET
HAD A HEARING ON.
>> THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS
EXPIRED.
THANK YOU.
SIR, DID I HEAR YOU CORRECTLY
SAY THAT THE PURPOSE OF
UNLEASHING THIS FEDERAL AGENT
ASSAULT WITH TEAR GAS AND RUBBER
BULLETS AND PEPPER SPRAY ON 2000
NONVIOLENT PROTESTERS IN
LAFAYETTE SQUARE WAS SECURE AND
DEFEND THE ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL
CHURCH?
WAS THAT THE PURPOSE?
A.G. BARR: I DID NOT SAY THAT.
THE PURPOSE WAS TO MOVE THE
PERIMETER, WHICH HAD BEEN THE
PLAN ALL DAY, AS FAR AS I AM
AWARE OF.
>> SO IT WAS LEGITIMATE --
A.G. BARR: WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
THE JUNE 1?
>> THERE JUNE 1 ALL SALT --
ASSAULT, INCLUDING MY
CONSTITUENTS.
A.G. BARR: I DO NOT THINK IT WAS
AN ASSAULT.
THEY WERE TOLD BY THE SPEAKER
THAT THE PARK POLICE WERE
PREPARING TO CLEAR A STREET AND
COULD THEY MOVE OFF?
>> I THINK YOU SAID THAT ST.
JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOULD
HAVE BEEN OPEN.
A.G. BARR: ON SUNDAY NIGHT I
BELIEVE.
>> ARE YOU AWARE THAT THE RECORD
OF THE CHURCH AT THE EPISCOPAL
CHURCH PROCESS BISHOP, ALONG
WITH THE CATHOLIC SHIP OF THE
ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON
DENOUNCED THIS POLICE ASSAULT ON
THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES
OF THE PEOPLE?
A.G. BARR: DID THEY DO THAT
BEFORE OR AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT
OUT?
>> ALL THAT I KNOW IS THEY'D
ANNOUNCED WHAT YOU DID, AND IF
YOU READ WHAT THE ARCHBISHOP,
THE EPISCOPAL ARCHBISHOP OF
WASHINGTON WROTE SAID THAT USING
POLICE FORCE TO CLEAR NONVIOLENT
PROTESTERS WITHOUT NOTICE IN
ORDER TO CONDUCT THIS GROTESQUE
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WAS
ANTITHETICAL TO THE PRINCIPLES
OF CHRISTIANITY.
WHAT I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT
WAS COVID-19 BECAUSE WE NOW LEAD
THE WORLD IN COVID-19 DEATH AND
CASE COUNT.
PRESIDENT TRUMP PROMISED THE
DISEASE WOULD MAGICALLY
DISAPPEAR.
HE TOLD HIS PEOPLE TO SLOW DOWN
THE TESTING AND REFUSED FOR
MONTHS TO WEAR A MASK.
LAST NIGHT, HE RE-TWEETED A
NUMBER OF MESSAGES THAT DR.
FAUCI MISLED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
BY LISTING AT OXO CORK AND AS A
CURE, AND NOW WE HAVE 150,000
DEAD AMERICANS AND 4 MILLION
INFECTED -- HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE
AS A CURE, AND NOW WE HAVE 150
THOUSAND DEAD AMERICANS AND 4
MILLION INFECTED, AND YOU
THROUGH THE WEIGHT OF THE
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT BEHIND HIS
CAMPAIGN TO SHUT DOWN SAFE
PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS IN MARCH
AND APRIL.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE SCREEN, YOU
WILL SEE TWO TWEETS FROM THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
"LIBERATE MICHIGAN, LIBERATE
VIRGINIA."
ON APRIL 17, HE RE-TWEETED THE
SLOGANS OF RIGHT-WING PROTESTERS
WERE BLOCKING ACCESS TO
HOSPITALS I'M TRYING TO
OVERTHROW THOSE STATES.
YOU SNAPPED ATTENTION ON APRIL
27 BY DESIGNATING A PROSECUTOR
TO TRY AND BRING DOWN THOSE
PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS IN MICHIGAN
AND VIRGINIA.
TWO DAYS LATER, ARMED RIGHT-WING
PROTESTERS AND WHITE'S
APPRENTICE DISRUPTED THE
MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE, LEVELING
DEATH THREATS, CONFRONTING
POLICE, TONTINE LAWMAKERS, AND
FORCING THE LEGISLATURE TO SHUT
DOWN AS THEY BRANDISH THEIR LONG
GUNS AND SHOUTED IN THE FACES OF
POLICE OFFICERS, BUT YOU DO NOT
SEND IN A SECRET POLICE FORCE ON
HORSEBACK TO UNLEASH TEAR GAS,
PEPPER SPRAY AND RUBBER BULLETS
AGAINST THESE PROTESTERS
STORMING THE STATE CAPITAL OF
MICHIGAN, NO.
YOU EMBRACED IT BY JOINING
LITIGATION AGAINST THE GOVERNORS
OF MICHIGAN AND VIRGINIA.
OF COURSE, YOUR SIDE LOST
EMOTIONS FOR EMERGENCY
INJUNCTION, BUT YOU SPREAD THE
TRUMP MESSAGE THAT IT WAS TIME
TO CALL OFF THE STAY-AT-HOME
ORDERS, THE MASKING AND SOCIAL
DISTANCING.
HERE'S IS WHAT YOU SAID ON
NATIONAL TELEVISION IN APRIL
CLAIMING THE CURE WAS WORSE
THEN THE DISEASE "CANNOT KEEP
BEATING THE PATIENT CHEMOTHERAPY
AND SAY, WELL, WE ARE KILLING
THE CANCER BECAUSE WE ARE
GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE WE
ARE KILLING THE PATIENT."
DO YOU REMEMBER THAT?
A.G. BARR: YES.
>> WHAT DID YOU MEAN?
A.G. BARR: EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS,
YOU HAVE TO BALANCE THE CURE
WITH THE DANGER, WHICH RELIEVED
THE GOVERNORS.
I KNOW EVERYONE LIKES TO LAY --
THIS IS A FEDERAL REPUBLIC AND
THE PRESENT PERSPECTIVE THAT.
THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN LARGELY
RUN BY GOVERNORS.
FOR SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS TO BE SO
CONCERNED ABOUT EXECUTIVE
OVERREACH, I HAVE NOT HEARD
ANYONE TALK ABOUT KEEPING AN EYE
ON WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING.
AND THAT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF --
>> EXCUSE ME.
A.G. BARR: AREA OF RELIGIOUS
LIBERTY.
>> THE SUPREME COURT REJECTED
YOUR POSITION ON RELIGIOUS
LIBERTY 5-4 AND THERE WAS
NOTHING WRONG WITH PUBLIC HEALTH
ORDERS APPLY TO CHURCHES.
A.G. BARR: THAT WAS ON AN
INJUNCTION.
>> DO YOU ACCEPT THAT OR DO NOT
ACCEPT THAT?
A.G. BARR: UMM.
>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT
LATER.WITH NO VACCINE OR CURE
INSIGHT, YOU WORKED TO DISARM
THE STATES OF THE ONLY WEAPON WE
HAVE AGAINST THE DISEASE, THE
PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES.
NOW, WE PAY THE PRICE OF THE
POLICY IN OVERRUN INTENSIVE CARE
UNITS AND MORGUES, A SHORTAGE OF
REFRIGERATED TRUCKS, COFFINS, IN
OUT-OF-CONTROL PANDEMIC, WHICH
MAKES US A GLOBAL PARIAH STATE
WHICH PEOPLE CANNOT ENTER,
INCLUDING CANADA.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT DR. FAUCI WAS
SAYING AT THE SAME TIME THAT YOU
ARE MOVING TO TAKE DOWN THE
PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS?
HERE IS WHAT HE WAS WARNING US
ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO ABOUT THE
PREMATURE ABANDONMENT OF HEALTH
ORDERS.
IF ONLY YOU HAD THE SAME.
HE SAID "I FEEL IF THAT OCCURS,
THERE IS A REAL RISK YOU WILL
TRIGGER AN OUTBREAK AND YOU MAY
NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL IT."
>> WE WERE NOT TAKING --
A.G. BARR: WE WERE NOT TAKING
DOWN PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS.
>> THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME --
>> CAN YOU REINSTATE MY TIME
BECAUSE THIS WITNESS --
>> YOU WENT OVER YOUR TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS EXPIRED.
MR. CHAIRMAN?
THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
>> WE DO HAVE THE GOVERNOR AND
VIRGINIA ENGAGED IN OVERREACH,
PARTICULARLY REGARDING THE CIVIL
RIGHTS OF VIRGINIANS AND THEIR
EXPRESSION OF THEIR RELIGIOUS
FAITH.
I WANT TO GIVE THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL THE OPPORTUNITY TO
RESPOND TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MARYLAND.
A.G. BARR: WE ADOPTED A NARROW
APPROACH OF CALLING TO THE
ATTENTION, USUALLY BY LETTER,
NOT BY LAWSUIT, OF SITUATIONS
WHERE THEY WERE TREATING
RELIGION WORSE THAN THEY WERE
OTHER KINDS OF ORGANIZATIONS AND
GATHERING, AND THE CONSTITUTION
REQUIRES IT BE TREATED THE SAME.
WE WERE CALLING THOSE TO THE
ATTENTION OF THE GOVERNORS, AND
MOST OF THE GOVERNORS
VOLUNTARILY CHANGE THEIR OWN
ORDERS.
THERE WERE A FEW OCCASIONS WE
POINTED OUT THE ANOMALIES AND
REGULATIONS OF BUSINESS AND
MOSTLY THEY WERE VOLUNTARILY
CHANGED BY THE GOVERNORS.
THIS WAS NOT A WHOLESALE ATTACK
ON STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS.
IT WAS JUST THESE ARE BROAD
POWERS THAT HAVE BEEN SEATED,
BASICALLY TELLING EVERYONE TO
STAY-AT-HOME AND ONLY WORK IF
YOU ARE AN ESSENTIAL IS MOST.
THEREFORE, -- ESSENTIAL
BUSINESS.
THEREFORE, SOMEONE HAS TO STAND
BYE-BYE BY THAT.
AT TIMES, THERE WERE CRAZY RULES
IN EFFECT THAT WERE OVERLY
BURDENSOME AND RAISED
CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEMS.
>> THANK YOU FOR RAISING THOSE
POINTS EARLY AND PARTICULARLY
WITH REGARD TO VIRGINIA AND THE
CHURCH ON THE EASTERN SHORE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE AND RETURNING TO LEAD THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND WRITE
THE SHIP AND ROOT OUT THE RANK
PARTISANSHIP AND PARTISANSHIP
THAT HAS CORRUPTED IT FOR YEARS.
THE DEMOCRATS ALLEGE ATTORNEY
BARR HAS POLITICIZED THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT, DOING THE PERSONAL
BIDDING OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.
IT IS NOT ONLY UNFOUNDED BUT
HYPOCRITICAL IN LIFE OF THE
POLITICIZATION THAT OCCURRED
DURING THE OBAMA-BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION AND LED BY
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SELF
PRESCRIBED WINGMEN ERIC HOLDER
THAT THE OBAMA-BIDEN
INVESTIGATION JOURNALIST SHUT
OUT INVESTIGATORS AND SHUT OUT
OVERSIGHT.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK PARTICULARLY
COME OUT OR EVEN PRESIDENT TRUMP
ASSUMED OFFICE, FBI LAWYERS
EXHIBITED BIAS AGAINST TRUMP
WHILE WORKING FOR BOTH MUELLER
AND FBI INVESTIGATION, AND THE
INSPECTOR GENERAL CANNOT RULE
OUT FBI ABUSE, CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: THAT IS MY
UNDERSTANDING.
>> THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FOUND
ONE FBI LAWYER ALTERED EVIDENCE
AND CRIMINALLY REFERRED THIS
LAWYER TO DURHAM FOR PARENTERAL
-- FOR FEDERAL PROSECUTION, THE
SAME LAWYER WHO USED ON HILLARY
CLINTON'S MISUSE, HAD CLASSIFIED
INFORMATION AGAINST PRESIDENT
TRUMP, AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
TESTIFIED HE COULD NOT RULE OUT
THE BIAS.
WHAT WERE THE CONSEQUENCES BE 20
OR JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LAWYERS IF
THEY DOCTORED UNDERLYING
DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT EVIDENCE OF
IT TO A FEDERAL COURT?
A.G. BARR: IN THE ABSTRACT,
TALKING GENERALLY, THAT LAWYER
WOULD BE FIRED.
>> WHEN THEY LIKELY BE
DISBARRED, AS WELL?
A.G. BARR: YES.
>> IS IT TRUE THAT THE IG FOUND
AN EMAIL TO SUPPORT PROBABLE
CAUSE AGAINST TRUMP'S
CAMPAIGNING?
A.G. BARR: I THINK THAT IS
RIGHT.
>> IN THE SAME FBI LAWYER WORKED
ON THE RUSSIA INVESTIGATION
TARGETING CANDIDATE TRUMP'S
CAMPAIGN AND WAS ON THE SPECIAL
COUNSEL ROBERT MUELLER TEAM,
CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: NOT SURE ABOUT THAT.
>> WHILE WORKING ON THE
INVESTIGATIONS, THE INSPECTOR
GENERAL FOUND SEVERAL TEXTS
SHOWING THAT ANIMUS, CORRECT?
A.G. BARR: ON THAT PARTICULAR
LAWYER?
I BELIEVE SO, YES.
I CANNOT REMEMBER THE TIMEFRAME
OF THE TEXT, BUT I KNOW THERE
WERE OTHERS.
>> I WENT TO TALK ABOUT THE -- I
WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE UNMASKING
THAT OCCURRED WHERE A LIST WAS
RELEASED OF 39 OFFICIALS WHO
SUBMITTED A REQUEST TO UNMASK
THE IDENTITY OF GENERAL FLYNN
FROM NOVEMBER 8, 2016 TO JANUARY
31, 2017.
WOODY NINE REQUESTS WERE
SUBMITTED.
IS THAT NORMAL NUMBER?
A.G. BARR: I MEAN, HISTORICALLY,
THAT SEEMS TO BE A HIGH NUMBER.
THE OTHER QUESTION YOU HAVE TO
ASK IS WHY WAS THIS AFTER THE
ELECTION?
>> AND SEVEN TREASURY OFFICIALS,
INCLUDING SECRETARY OF THE
TREASURY AND DEPUTY OF THE
SECRETARY, IS THAT A NORMAL
OCCURRENCE?
A.G. BARR: THERE ARE TIMES WHERE
HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIALS CAN DO IT.
I DO NOT KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE
SPECIFICS.
>> I YIELD THE REMAINDER OF MY
TIME.
>> WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT, GOING
TO CHURCH OR A PROTEST?
A.G. BARR: IT DEPENDS ON THE
INDIVIDUAL.
>> BOTH FALL UNDER THE FIRST
AMENDMENT.
WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT, GOING TO
WORK FOR A PROTEST?
-- OR A PROTEST?
A.G. BARR: AGAIN, IT DEPENDS ON
THE INDIVIDUAL.
WE ARE ALL FREE AND MAKE OUR OWN
CHOICES.
>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
GOVERNMENT AND LIMITS ON THOSE
ACTIVITIES.
WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT,
GOVERNMENT PUTTING LIMITS ON
PROTESTING OR PUTTING A LIMIT ON
ATTENDING CHURCH?
A.G. BARR: THEY ARE BOTH FIRST
AMENDMENTS?
>> EXACTLY, WE SHOULD TREAT THEM
THE SAME.
>> THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS
EXPIRED.
>> MR. BARR, ON JUNE 1, THERE
WERE PROTESTS AGAINST THE MURDER
OF GEORGE FLOYD AND POLICE
BRUTALITY IN LAFAYETTE PARK.
LET THIS NOT BE DISTRACTED BY
YOU OR MY GOP COLLEAGUES AS TO
WHAT THESE POWERFUL AND MASSIVE
PROTESTS WERE ACTUALLY ABOUT.
THEY WERE ABOUT THE PERSISTENT
KILLINGS OF LACK BODIES BY LAW
ENFORCEMENT, ANDFINALLY, AN AWAA
OF THE CONSCIENCE OF OUR
COUNTRY.
YET, YOUR RESPONSE WAS TO DIRECT
FEDERAL OFFICERS TO CLOSE IN ON
PROTESTERS AND USE SHIELDS
OFFENSIVELY AS WEAPONS.
TEAR GAS, PEPPER BALLS,
IRRITANTS, EXPLOSIVE DEVICES,
BATONS AND HORSES TO CLEAR THE
AREA JUST SO THE PRESIDENT COULD
GET A PHOTO OP.
I WANT TO ASK, DO YOU THINK THE
RESPONSE AT LAFAYETTE SQUARE TO
TEARGAS, PEPPER SPRAY --
INTER-AMERICAN CITIZENS --
INJURED AMERICAN CITIZENS WAS
APPROPRIATE?
>> TO MY UNDERSTANDING, NO
TEARGAS WAS USED.
>> MR. BARR, THAT IS A SEMANTIC
DISTINCTION THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN
FALSE.
>> HOW IS IT SEMANTIC?
>> YOU TALKED ABOUT CHEMICAL
IRRITANTS.
IT HAS BEEN PROVEN FALSE BY
REPORTS.
ANSWER THE QUESTION.
DO YOU THINK IT WAS APPROPRIATE
AT LAFAYETTE PARK TO PEPPER
SPRAY, TEAR GAS AND BEAT
PROTESTERS AND ENDURE AMERICAN
CITIZENS?
>> I DO NOT ACCEPT YOUR
CHARACTERIZATION OF WHAT
HAPPENED.
AS I EXPLAINED, THE EFFORT --
>> MR. BARR, YES OR NO?
I AM STARTING TO LOSE MY TEMPER.
ACCORDING TO SWORN TESTIMONY
BEFORE THE HOUSE NATURAL
RESOURCES COMMITTEE BY ARMY --
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OFFICER
DIMARCO WHO WAS THERE, THIS WAS
"AN UNPROVOKED ESCALATION IN USE
OF FORCE AGAINST PEACEFUL
PROTESTERS."
>> I DON'T REMEMBER DIMARCO
BEING --
>> EXCUSE ME, THIS IS MY TIME.
THE PRESIDENT TOLD GOVERNORS ON
A TELEPHONE CALL THAT THE WAY TO
DEAL WITH PROTESTERS OF SYSTEMIC
RACISM LIKE IN LAFAYETTE SQUARE
IS "YOU HAVE TO GET MUCH
TOUGHER.
YOU HAVE TO DOMINATE.
IF YOU DON'T DOMINATE COME
YOU'RE WASTING YOUR TIME."
HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT YOU ON THAT
CALL.
HE SAID, "THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
IS HERE, BILL BARR.
WE WILL ACTIVATE BILL BARR AND
ACTIVATE THEM STRONGLY."
DEAR MEMORY THAT CALL?
>> YES, BUT HE WAS NOT TALKING
ABOUT PROTESTERS.
>> APPARENTLY THE PRESIDENT
BELIEVES YOU CAN BE ACTIVATED TO
IMPLEMENT THE PRESIDENT'S AGENDA
AND DOMINATE AMERICAN PEOPLE
EXERCISING THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT
RIGHTS IF THEY ARE PROTESTING
AGAINST HIM.
LET'S LOOK AT HOW YOU RESPOND
WHEN THE PROTESTERS ARE
SUPPORTERS OF THE PRESIDENT.
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AFTER
PRESIDENT TRUMP TREATED --
TWEETED LIBERATE MICHIGAN COMMIT
TO SUBVERT STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS
TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH OF
PEOPLE, PROTESTERS SWARMED TO
THE MICHIGAN CAPITAL CARRYING
GUNS.
SOME WITH SWASTIKAS, CONFEDERATE
FLAGS AND ONE WITH A DARK HAIRED
DOLL WITH A NOOSE AROUND ITS
NECK.
ARE YOU AWARE THESE PROTESTERS
CALLED FOR THE GOVERNOR TO BE
LYNCHED, SHOT AND BEHEADED?
>> NO.
>> YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF THAT?
MAJOR PROTESTS IN MICHIGAN, YOU
ARE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND YOU
DID NOT KNOW THE PROTESTERS
CALLED FOR THE GOVERNOR TO BE
LYNCHED AND BEHEADED?
OBVIOUSLY YOU COULDN'T BE
CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PROTESTS
AROUND THE UNITED STATES.
>> YOU SEEM TO BE ENGAGING WITH
PROTESTS IN CERTAIN PART OF THE
COUNTRY.
YOU ARE AWARE OF THOSE.
WHEN PROTESTERS WITH GUNS AND
SWASTIKAS --
>> I AM AWARE OF --
>> EXCUSE ME, IT IS MY TIME.
YOU ARE AWARE OF CERTAIN KINDS
OF PROTESTERS, BUT IN MICHIGAN
WHEN PROTESTERS CARRIED GUNS AND
CONTENDER -- CONFEDERATE FLAGS
AND CALLED FOR THE GOVERNOR OF
MICHIGAN TO BE SHOT AND LYNCHED,
SOMEHOW YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF
THAT.
SOMEHOW YOU DID NOT KNOW ABOUT
THAT SO YOU DIDN'T SEND FEDERAL
AGENTS INTO DUE TO THE
PRESIDENT'S SUPPORTERS WHAT YOU
DID TO THE PRESIDENT'S
PROTESTERS.
YOU DIDN'T PUT PEPPER BALLS ON
THOSE PROTESTERS.
THE POINT I AM TRYING TO MAKE,
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTRY
TO UNDERSTAND, THERE IS A
DISCREPANCY IN HOW YOU REACT AS
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHEN WHITE
MEN WITH SWASTIKAS STORM A
GOVERNMENT BUILDING WITH GUNS,
THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE
PRESIDENT TO "ACTIVATE YOU"
BECAUSE THEY'RE GETTING THE
PRESIDENT'S AGENDA DONE.
WHEN BLACK PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OF
COLOR PROTEST POLICE BRUTALITY,
RACISM, AND THE PRESIDENT'S OWN
LACK OF RESPONSE TO THOSE ISSUES
, THEN YOU FORCIBLY REMOVE THEM
WITH ARMED FEDERAL OFFICERS,
PEPPER BALLS, BECAUSE THEY ARE
CONSIDERED TERRORISTS BY THE
PRESIDENT.
YOU TAKE AN AGGRESSIVE APPROACH
TO BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS,
BUT NOT RIGHT-WING EXTREMISTS
THREATENING TO LYNCH A GOVERNOR
IF IT IS FOR THE PRESIDENT'S
BENEFIT.
DID I GET IT RIGHT?
>> I HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE WHITE
HOUSE -- THE WHITE HOUSE IS THE
SEAT --
>> YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT
THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA.
>> MISSION AUTHORITIES CAN
HANDLE --
>> NOT VIOLATE FIRST AMENDMENT
RIGHTS.
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO UPHOLD
DEMOCRACY AND ASSURE EQUAL
JUSTICE UNDER LAW, NOT TO
CERTAIN PROTESTERS BASED ON THE
PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL AGENDA.
>> THE GENTLELADY'S TIME HAS
EXPIRED.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT TO SUBMITTED TO RECORD A
REPORT FOR THE M.I.T. CENTERS
FOR DATA & SLAB THAT SAYS FOR
THE PAST 20 YEARS, 200 -- THE
FRAUD RATE IS .00 6%.
>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
>> THANK YOU AG BARR FOR BEING
HERE TODAY.
I AM SINCERE WHEN I SAY IT IS AN
HONOR.
>> CAN I ASK YOU FOR ONE MINUTE.
>> TO RESPOND?
YES.
>> AS I MADE CLEAR MOVING OUT TO
I STREET HAS A PERIMETER WAS A
DECISION MADE THE DAY BEFORE.
IT WAS JUSTIFIED BY THE EXTREME
WRITING GOING ON AROUND THE
WHITE HOUSE.
I DO NOT REMEMBER CAPTAIN
DIMARCO, THE SAME WHO RAN AS A
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR
CONGRESS IN MARYLAND, EVEN BEING
CLOSE TO THE DISCUSSIONS AS TO
WHAT WAS GOING ON.
THE FACT IS THE MOVEMENT WAS NOT
GEARED TO THE BEHAVIOR OF THAT
PARTICULAR CROWD.
IT WAS GEARED TO THE FACT THAT
WE WERE MOVING THE PERIMETER OUT
SO WE COULD PUT A FENCE ON H
STREET.
IT IS A FACT THAT THE PARK
POLICE REPORTED -- AND I SAW
MYSELF -- PROJECTILES BEING
THROWN FROM THE CROWD.
I DID NOT CONSIDER THEM AT ALL
PEACEFUL PROTESTERS.
THANK YOU.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO TALK
ABOUT THE VIOLENT PROTESTS BEING
SEEN IN SEATTLE AND PORTLAND,
OREGON.
OVER THE COURSE OF JUNE AND
JULY, SEVERAL SHOOTINGS OCCURRED
INSIDE SEATTLE'S POLICE FREE
ZONE INCLUDING THE TRAGIC
MURDERS OF HIS 16-YEAR-OLD AND A
19-YEAR-OLD.
THERE WERE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF
ROBBERIES, ASSAULTS AND PROPERTY
DESTRUCTION.
>> SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES WHELP.
>> DESPITE ALL OF THIS CHAOS, IT
TOOK THE SEATTLE MAYOR WEEKS TO
DECLARE THIS AN UNLAWFUL
GATHERING.
IT TOOK WEEKS BEFORE THE POLICE
WERE ALLOWED TO CLEAR THAT AREA.
IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES IN
PORTLAND, OREGON, IT HAS GONE
THROUGH EIGHT WEEKS OF VIOLENT
RIOTING AS WELL.
RIOTERS CONTINUE TO FIRE
PROJECTILES AND MORTAR STYLE
FIREWORKS AT FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND ARE
USING DANGEROUS LASERS WHICH
HAVE PERMANENTLY BLINDED THREE
FEDERAL OFFICERS.
CHAIRMAN JERRY NADLER TOLD A
REPORTER SUNDAY THE ANARCHY AND
VIOLENCE GOING ON IN PORTLAND,
AND I QUOTE THE CHAIRMAN, "IS A
MYTH THAT IS SPREAD ONLY IN
WASHINGTON, D.C."
IT IS IN FACT COMMIT THEIR -- IT
IS -- IS IT IN FACT A MYTH THAT
THERE IS ANARCHY IN PORTLAND?
>> THERE ARE ANARCHISTS AND
FAR-LEFT GROUPS INVOLVED IN THE
VIOLENCE IN PORTLAND.
I THINK THE CHAIRMAN'S COMMENT
WAS ABOUT ANTIFA.
I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HE
SAID BUT I THOUGHT HE WAS
REFERRING TO ANTIFA.
>> DO YOU THINK IT IS A MYTH
THAT ANTIFA IS INVOLVED IN THIS
ANARCHY?
>> ANTIFA IS INVOLVED IN
PORTLAND.
>> EITHER WAY, THE CHAIRMAN'S
COMMENTS WERE NOT ACCURATE?
>> I DO NOT CONSIDER THEM
ACCURATE.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE AUTONOMOUS
ZONE IN SEATTLE?
CONGRESSMAN -- HAS SAID IT IS A
PEACEFUL PROTEST ZONE.
IS IT A PEACEFUL PROTEST ZONE?
>> NO.
IT IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT PEOPLE SET
THEMSELVES UP OVER A PIECE OF
TERRITORY WHERE THE PEOPLE IN
THERE HAS NOT SELECTED THEM AS A
GOVERNMENT AND TRY TO EXERCISE
SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY.
WE SAW PEOPLE HANDING OUT GUNS
TO KEEP THE PEACE.
IT WAS ANARCHY.
>> YOUR OFFICE HAS ALREADY
CHARGE SEVERAL VIOLENT
PROTESTERS OF FEDERAL CRIMES.
CAN YOU BRIEFLY ELABORATE ON
THOSE CRIMES?
>> THE WHOLE GAMUT.
I THINK WE HAVE HAD 224.
ON THE GAMUT FROM THROWING
MOLOTOV COCKTAILS TO ASSAULTING
A POLICE OFFICER, THAT KIND OF
THING.
>> THANK YOU.
I WANT TO SAY THAT I THINK -- I
DON'T KNOW IF YOU AGREE -- CHAZ
AND PORTLAND ARE POLITICAL
EXPERIMENTS.
THEY SHOW US WHAT WOULD HAPPENED
IF WE FULLY EMBRACE THE RADICAL
IDEOLOGY OF THE SOCIAL JUSTICE
DEMOCRATS.
ACCORDING TO DEMOCRATS IT IS THE
SUMMER OF LOVE.
ACCORDING TO THE CONGRESSWOMAN
THAT REPRESENTS SEATTLE IT IS A
PEACEFUL PROTEST.
IN REALITY, THESE CITIES ARE
EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE, CHAOS AND
ANARCHY.
I THINK THIS POLITICAL
EXPERIMENT HAS SHOWED US THE
LIBERAL SOCIAL JUSTICE DEMOCRATS
STYLE OF GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO COMMENT ON
THAT?
>> WHEN I WAS FIRST GOING
THROUGH CONFIRMATION, I
EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT VIOLENCE
GETTING INTO OUR POLITICAL
SYSTEM.
WE HAVE SEEN THIS INTOLERANCE OF
ATTACKING PEOPLE AND I WAS
WORRIED ABOUT THAT.
WE HAVE SEEN IT SWEEPING THROUGH
THE COUNTRY LIKE THIS.
I HOPE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
TAKES A STAND AGAINST THE
VIOLENCE.
>> I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
MS. DEMINGS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH MR.
CHAIRMAN.
MR. BARR, OVER HERE.
>> I'M SORRY.
[LAUGHTER]
>> EARLIER DURING YOUR TESTIMONY
YOU TALKED ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE
AND ASKED WHAT ABOUT THOSE
LIVES?
YES, THOSE LIVES DO MATTER.
DID YOU BELIEVE THAT POLICE
OFFICERS SHOULD BE HELD TO A
HIGHER STANDARD?
>> YES.
SOMEONE MENTIONED MY COMMENT
ABOUT WE SHOULD NOT PERMIT
RESISTANCE, BUT I NEVER
SUGGESTED THAT JUST BECAUSE
SOMEONE RESISTS MEANS IT
JUSTIFIES WHATEVER IS DONE.
>> GOOD POLICE OFFICERS ALSO
BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE HELD TO A
HIGHER STANDARD.
I AM GLAD TO HEAR YOU STAY THAT
-- SAY THAT.
AS A FORMER POLICE DEPARTMENT --
POLICE OFFICER, THERE IS AN
ALARMING PATTERN DEVELOPING.
IT APPEARS EVERY TIME A U.S.
ATTORNEY INVESTIGATES THE
PRESIDENT OR THOSE CLOSE TO HIM,
HE OR SHE IS REMOVED AND
REPLACED BY ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS.
YOU HAVE REMOVED U.S. ATTORNEYS
IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW
YORK, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS.
JUNE 19, YOU ANNOUNCED MR.
BERMAN WOULD BE STEPPING DOWN.
WHEN YOU TOLD AMERICA THAT MR.
BERMAN WAS STEPPING DOWN, DID
MR. BERMAN TELL YOU HE WAS
STEPPING DOWN?
>> NO.
STEPPING DOWN IS THE LANGUAGE
THAT, I AM TOLD --
>> HE DID NOT TELL YOU THAT?
>> NO, BUT IT IS LANGUAGE WE USE
TO LEAVE FLEXIBILITY AS TO
WHETHER THE PERSON IS --
>> JUNE 20, WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE
BASIS OF MR. BERMAN'S REMOVAL
COME ON THE VERY DAY YOU
ANNOUNCED HE WAS BEING FIRED,
MR. GIULIANI SUGGESTED THAT "THE
REASON MAY LIE IN THE FACT THAT
BERMAN'S OFFICE GOT INVOLVED IN
BASELESS INVESTIGATIONS."
IF THAT WAS NOT TRUE, IF YOU DID
NOT REMOVE BERMAN BECAUSE HE WAS
OVERSEEING INVESTIGATIONS OF THE
PRESIDENT, WHY WOULD THE
PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL ATTORNEY
THINK THAT?
>> WHAT DO YOU SAY?
>> MR. GIULIANI SUGGESTS --
>> WHEN?
>> JUNE 20, THAT HE MAY HAVE
BEEN FIRED BECAUSE HE WAS
INVESTIGATING BASELESS
INVESTIGATIONS.
>> IF HE SAID THAT, THAT IS
NONSENSE.
ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WOULD SAY
REMOVING A COMPONENT HEAD IS NOT
GOING TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON
INVESTIGATIONS.
>> I KNOW YOU ARE RARE THAT YOU
ARE AWARE --
HIS CURRENT PERSONAL ATTORNEY'S
ASSOCIATES AND HIS PRESIDENTIAL
INAUGURATION.
>> YOU DON'T MEAN TO SUGGEST
THAT BY MY SILENCE I'M
CONFIRMING THAT?
THAT SEEMS TO BE YOUR OPINION.
>> HAVE YOU IN ANYWAY ATTEMPTED
TO INFLUENCE OR INTERFERE IN ANY
INVESTIGATION IN THE SOUTHERN
DISTRICT INCLUDING THE
INVESTIGATIONS I MENTIONED?
MR. BARR: I HAVE NOT INTERFERED
IN ANY INVESTIGATION.
I HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT
CERTAIN MATTERS, BUT AS FAR AS I
AM AWARE,  THE OFFICE WAS
SATISFIED WITH THE RESOLUTION.
>> YOUR EFFORTS TO REMOVE HIM
BYPASSED THE NORMAL OPERATION OF
LAW.
>> NO THEY DIDN'T.
>> A SITTING PRESIDENT CANNOT BE
INDICTED OR CRIMINALLY
PROSECUTED.
BECAUSE YOU MADE SURE PRESIDENT
TRUMP UNDERSTOOD THAT IN YOUR 19
PAGE APPLICATION.
HOWEVER, YOU ARE AWARE THAT
SPECIAL COUNSEL CONFIRMED A
SITTING PRESIDENT CAN BE
INVESTIGATED?
YOU DID READ THAT IN THE SPECIAL
COUNSEL REPORT, CORRECT?
>> YES.
GIVEN
TEST
--
>> THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT WOULD
HAVE DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY
ON WHETHER TO INVESTIGATE THE
PRESIDENT.
YOU REMOVED HIM.
MR. BARR: I HAVE EXPLAINED WHY I
REMOVED HIM.
>> SITTING HERE TODAY UNDER
PENALTY OF PERJURY, DO YOU
MAINTAIN AS YOU STATED IN A
FEBRUARY 13 INTERVIEW THAT THE
PRESIDENT HAS NEVER ASKED TO DO
ANYTHING IN A CRIMINAL CASE?
YES OR NO?
MR. BARR: YET -- NO.
WHAT I CONFIRM IT?
>> DO YOU STAND BY YOUR
TESTIMONY?
MR. BARR: HE NEVER ASKED ME,
DIRECTED ME, PRESSURED ME TO DO
ANYTHING IN A CRIMINAL CASE.
>> I THINK YOU HAD THIS
CONVERSATION EARLIER WITH ONE OF
MY COLLEAGUES THAT MR. COHEN WAS
RELEASED EARLY FROM PRISON DUE
TO CONCERNS OF COVID-19?
>> YES.
>> WHY DID YOU SUPPORT THE
DECISION TO SEND MR. COHEN BACK
TO PRISON?
MR. BARR: I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE
DECISION.
>> DID YOU SUPPORT IT?
MR. BARR: I HAVE NOT LOOKED INTO
IT.
MY UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE --
>> MR. BARR, AS A FORMER --
>> THE GENTLEWOMAN'S TIME IS
EXPIRED.
>> THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE A MARK
-- A MOCKERY OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE.
AS THE NATION'S TOP COP, NO ONE
SHOULD CARE MORE ABOUT THAT THAN
YOU.
>> THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.
10 YEARS AGO IN JULY, MY HOME
DOWN WAS A BEAUTIFUL -- MY
HOMETOWN WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY.
EVERYONE WAS PLAYING BASEBALL.
A PERFECT SUNNY SUMMER DAY IN
DICKINSON, NORTH DAKOTA.
IN THE SPAN OF EIGHT MINUTES
COMMEDIA TORNADO CAME THROUGH
AND CAUSE UNBELIEVABLE ECONOMIC
DEVASTATION.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE SAID IT WAS
A PEACEFUL DAY.
I WANT TO TALK SPECIFICALLY
ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN
PORTLAND.
FOR 61 NIGHTS, THE FEDERAL
COURTHOUSE IS UNDER SIEGE.
FEDERAL AGENTS ARE UNDER SIEGE.
YOU HAVE MEN AND WOMEN THERE
PROTECTING THAT COURTHOUSE.
I HAVE NO DOUBT IF THEY WERE NOT
THERE, THE COURTHOUSE WOULD NOT
BE STANDING, WOULD YOU AGREE?
MR. BARR: ABSOLUTELY.
>> OUR PROBLEM IS HOW THIS IS
COVERED VERSUS WHAT IS ACTUALLY
GOING ON AT THAT COURTHOUSE.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOUR
OFFICERS ARE GOING THROUGH?
MR. BARR: I AM TALKING ABOUT THE
U.S. MARSHALS WHO ARE IN THE
COURTHOUSE.
THEY INITIALLY TRIED TO CONTAIN
THEMSELVES IN THE COURTHOUSE.
THERE HAVE BEEN EFFORTS TO PUSH
THROUGH THE MAIN DOOR.
PEOPLE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN
BREACHING THE COURTHOUSE, THROWN
KEROSENE AND FIREWORKS AND
STARTED FIRES.
THE EFFORT WAS TO MAKE SURE THEY
CANNOT BREACH.
THERE STILL HAVE BEEN BREACHES
IN THE COURTHOUSE.
THEY TRY TO REMAIN IN THEIR.
-- THEY TRIED TO REMAIN IN
THERE.
STARTING THE FOURTH, THEY TRIED
TO ARREST PEOPLE DIRECTING
FIREWORKS.
THEY WOULD CLIMB UP AND BREAK
WINDOWS AND SHOOT FIREWORKS.
WHENEVER THE MARSHALS CAME OUT
TO TRY TO PUT AN END TO THAT,
THEY WERE SHOT AT WITH
SLINGSHOTS.
LASERS WERE BEING PUT INTO THEIR
EYES.
THERE IS A GOOD DESCRIPTION OF
IT IN AN AP SUMMARY.
.
>> I WAS ABOUT TO QUOTE THAT.
I WATCHED AS INJURED OFFICERS
WERE HAULED INSIDE.
IN ONE CASE, A COMMERCIAL
FIREWORKS CAME OVER SO FAST THE
OFFICER DID NOT HAVE TIME TO
RESPOND.
IT BURNED THROUGH HIS SLEEVE AND
HE HAD BLOODY GASHES.
ANOTHER HAD A CONCUSSION FROM
BEING HIT IN THE HEAD WITH A
MORTAR.
MR. BARR: THAT'S RIGHT.
WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF INJURIES
THERE.
THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO THIS
CONGRESS HAS CHARGED WITH
PROTECTING FEDERAL COURTS.
THEY ARE DIRECTED TO PROTECT
FEDERAL COURTS.
THEY ARE UNDER ATTACK.
THEY ARE INJURED.
IT HAS BEEN CONSTANT FOR 60
DAYS.
>> SECRETARY WOLF SAID THE
VIOLENT MOBS ARE PUBLISHING
PERSONAL INFORMATION OF OFFICERS
, JEOPARDIZING THEM AND THEIR
FAMILIES.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT IT?
MR. BARR: IT IS DANGEROUS
BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN TAKE
RETALIATION AGAINST OF THEIR
HOMES, THEIR FAMILIES, OR THEM
WHEN THEY ARE BY THEMSELVES.
I SEE SOME OF THESE LATIN
AMERICAN AND CENTRAL AMERICAN
COUNTRIES WHERE THE POLICE ARE
VERY BRAVE BECAUSE THE GANGS
THEY ARE TRYING TO DEAL WITH GO
TO THEIR HOUSES AND KILL THEIR
FAMILIES.
YOU NEVER THINK THAT COULD
HAPPEN HERE, BUT YOU COULD NEVER
THINK SOME OF THE STUFF WE ARE
SEEING TODAY COULD EVER HAPPEN
HERE.
>> IS BEING BURNED BY IMPROVISED
EXPLOSIVE DEVICE BEING BLINDED
BY LASERS, IS THIS SOMETHING
THAT TYPICALLY HAPPENS WITH
FEDERAL MARSHALS?
MR. BARR:.
NOW.
-- NO.
>> HOW IS THIS GOING FOR
RECRUITMENT?
MORALE?
HOW ARE THEY DOING?
MR. BARR: I THINK THAT EP STORY
-- AP STORY GIVES YOU THAT
FEELING.
THEY FEEL THAT IS THEIR DUTY.
A NUMBER OF THEM ARE FROM THAT
AREA.
THEY ARE EXTREMELY TIRED AND WE
HAVE HAD TO PUT IN MORE PEOPLE
BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY TIRED.
>> I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT
PART.
ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING PARTS OF
THIS, IT STARTED WITH UNDER 30
AGENTS AND NOW IT IS STILL UNDER
100.
61 NIGHTS IN A ROW THEY DEFEND
AGAINST A SIEGE.
THEY GET UP EVERY MORNING AND
THAT COURTHOUSE IS STILL
RUNNING.
THEY ARE CAN STILL -- THERE ARE
CONDUCTING GOVERNMENT BUSINESS.
I AM GOING TO SAY SOMETHING THAT
SHOULD BE SAID MORE OFTEN, TELL
THEM AND Q.
-- THANK YOU.
TELL THE PROSECUTORS THANK YOU.
TELL THE JUDGES THANK YOU.
CAN YOU TELL THE PUBLIC
DEFENDERS THANK YOU?
THEY ARE STILL CONDUCTING
BUSINESS.
ARE THEY GETTING SLEEP?
MR. BARR: THE MARSHALS ARE
HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME BECAUSE
THE DEMONSTRATORS GO TO THE
HOTEL.
THEY ALSO GO FROM HOTEL TO HOTEL
BECAUSE THE DEMONSTRATORS TRY TO
DISRUPT THEIR SLEEP AT THE
HOTEL.
>> THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
A PROTEST AND A RIOT.
EVERY NIGHT IT TURNS INTO A
RIOT.
WHEN YOU WAKE UP THE NEXT
MORNING, YOU KNOW WHAT IS GOING
TO HAPPEN AGAIN.
ONE LAST QUESTION, WHY WOULD WE
HAVE TO NEGOTIATE A CEASE-FIRE
WITH THE PEACEFUL PROTEST?
MR. BARR: CORRECT.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE, ALL
WE WOULD LIKE IS WHAT WE SEE IN
THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.
STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN CITY
AND THE STREETS AROUND THE
COURTHOUSE.
>> THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS
EXPIRED.
>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.
WELCOME.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SENSES.
EVERY 10 YEARS WE DECIDE HOW
MANY CONGRESSIONAL SEATS EACH
STATE GETS, FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS,
HEALTH CARE, OTHER ISSUES.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S
MEMO DIRECTING THE COMMERCE
SECRETARY TO EXCLUDE
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS FROM THE
APPORTIONMENT COUNT OF THE 2020
SENSES.
-- CENSUS.
THE PRESIDENT IS SENT -- THE
PRESIDENT IS ESSENTIALLY TRYING
TO DO SOMETHING ILLEGAL.
REPRESENTATIVES SHALL BE
APPORTIONED AMONG SEVERAL STATES
ACCORDING TO THEIR RESPECT
NUMBERS, COUNTING WHOLE NUMBERS
OF PERSONS IN EACH STATE, AND
THEN FEDERAL LAW.
TWO USC SUBSECTION TWO A.
THE PRESIDENTS SHALL TRANSMIT TO
THE CONGRESS A STATEMENT SHOWING
THE WHOLE NUMBER OF PERSONS IN
EACH STATE.
DID I READ THOSE CORRECTLY?
MR. BARR: YES.
>> DO YOU AGREE THAT THE
PRESIDENT'S MEMO ESSENTIALLY
VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION?
MR. BARR: NO.
>> ARE UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE
KNOTHOLE INDIVIDUALS -- NOT WHO
LE PEOPLE?
MR. BARR: THEY ARE PEOPLE.
THE LEGAL ISSUE IS THE
TERMINOLOGY OF THE CONSTITUTION.
>> IF I MAY --
MR. BARR: IT REFLECTS THE
DECISION AT THE TIME OF THE
CONSTITUTION THAT THEY COUNT --
>> JUST -- YOU USED TO WORK FOR
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BACK
IN 1989.
THERE WAS A LETTER WRITTEN TO
SENATOR JEFF BINGAMAN BY THE DOJ
, ON POINT THERE IS A LETTER, I
WOULD ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO
ADMIT THAT TO THE RECORD.
>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
>> "THE PATH THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE HAS TAKEN THE POSITION
THAT SECTION TWO OF THE 14TH
AMENDMENT, THE ORIGINAL PORTION
AND AND CENSUS CLAUSE OF ARTICLE
ONE SECTION TWO OF THE
CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THAT
INHABITANTS OF STATES WHO ARE
ILLEGAL ALIENS BE INCLUDED IN
THE CENSUS COUNT.
IN OUR VIEW, THIS ISSUE TODAY WE
HAVE FOUND NO BASIS FOR
REVERSING."
ARE YOU REVERSING THAT DECISION?
MR. BARR: WHAT THE DEPARTMENT
ADVISED -- THIS CAME UP BECAUSE
ALABAMA CLAIMS YOU CANNOT COUNT
ILLEGAL ALIENS IN THE CENSUS
UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
THE DEPARTMENT LOOKED AT IT AND
ADVISED THAT CONGRESS CAN
DETERMINE THE MEANING OF
"INHABITANT"
IT IS NOT A SELF DEFINED TERM.
>> IF I MAY.
MR. BARR: I THOUGHT I WAS THE
ONE WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE
HEARD.
>> THE CURRENT DISPARATE --
DISPUTE, YOU TALKED ABOUT WHEN
THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN
THE PRESIDENT'S ATTEMPT TO PUT A
CITIZENSHIP QUESTION ON THE
CENSUS.
AT THAT TIME, THE PRESIDENT
ANNOUNCED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO
COLLECT A INFORMATION BY OTHER
MEANS.
AT THAT TIME, YOU MADE REFERENCE
TO A CURRENT DISPUTE OVER
WHETHER ILLEGAL ALIENS COULD BE
INCLUDED IN THE APPORTIONMENT
PURPOSES.
IT IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE
REFERRING TO?
MR. BARR: I COULD HAVE BEEN
REFERRING TO THE ALABAMA CASE.
>> IS THE DOJ STUDYING THIS?
MR. BARR: YES.
CAN YOU PROVIDE THIS COMMITTEE
WITH DISCUSSIONS, RESEARCH,
CONCLUDING MEMOS?
MR. BARR: I WILL LOOK INTO IT.
WE HAVE CONSIDERED IT.
OUR ADVICE HAS BEEN THAT
CONGRESS DOES HAVE THE POWER TO
DEFINE THE TERM INHABITANT TO
EITHER INCLUDE OR EXCLUDE
ALIENS.
>> WERE TALKING ABOUT THE
PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER.
MR. BARR: CONGRESS HAS DELEGATED
THE POWER TO THE COMMERCE
SECRETARY.
THE COMMERCE SECRETARY HAS THE
DELEGATE OF CONGRESSIONAL POWER
CAN DEFINE THAT TERM.
THAT IS A READABLE -- THAT IS
THERE IS AN ARGUMENT TO MAKE.
>> THE PRESIDENT HAS TO BE
WITHIN THE LAW.
NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW,
INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT.
MY CONCERN IS HE GOES AROUND
DOING TWEETS THAT ARE CLEARLY
UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
MY DISTRICT IS A WORKING CLASS
HARD-WORKING COMMUNITY.
IMMIGRANTS COME THE GREATEST
GENERATION, ALL WE WANT IS
EQUITY.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET OUR
FEDERAL DOLLARS LIKE EVERYBODY
ELSE.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR
REPRESENTATION IS EQUAL,
INDIVIDUAL, AS INDIVIDUAL IN
ORANGE COUNTY AS ANY OTHER PART
OF THE COUNTRY.
ALL WE ASK FOR HIS RESPECT.
PLEASE TELL THE PRESIDENT, STOP
TWEETING THINGS THAT ARE CLEARLY
UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.
ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR, WILL YOU
SEND A THANK YOU TO THE LAW
ENFORCEMENT PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR
YOU FOR THE WORK THAT THEY ARE
DOING?
MR. BARR: CERTAINLY.
>> I WANT TO THANK ALL THE LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND CROSSED THE
COUNTRY.
WE ARE AN IMPERFECT COUNTRY, BUT
LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEY DO A GREAT
JOB AND THEY SHOULD BE
RECOGNIZED.
I AM GOING TO ASK YOU A QUESTION
ABOUT MR. BYRNE ALT-RIGHT FROM
MILWAUKEE -- THE MAN WHO WAS
SHOT TO DEATH AT THE END OF LAST
WEEK.
THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN WHO WAS
WEARING A SIGN.
HE WAS KNOWN AROUND MILWAUKEE
FOR CARRYING A TRUMP FOR
PRESIDENT SIGN.
I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT
HAPPENED IN MADISON, WISCONSIN
SO WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT A
MYTH ABOUT ANTIFA.
WHEN THE RIOTS HIT MINNEAPOLIS
AND EXTENDED AROUND THE COUNTRY,
THEY HIT MADISON, WISCONSIN.
I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU HAVE
VISITED MADISON, THERE IS AN
ICONIC STREET CALLED STATE
STREET.
IT STARTS AT THE N RUNS DOWN TO
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN,
MADISON.
THAT STREET, 75 BUSINESSES ARE
BOARDED UP AS A RESULT OF A
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL WHO WOULD
NOT PROTECT THOSE PEOPLE.
THOSE PEOPLE WENT TO CITY
COUNCIL LAST WEEK AND ASKED FOR
ASSISTANCE.
CITY COUNCIL, WHO WOULD NOT
PROTECT THEIR BUSINESS SAID NO.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO PROVIDE
ASSISTANCE.
SHORTLY AFTER STATE STREET WAS
DESTROYED -- BY THE WAY, IT IS
DISAPPOINTING IN SOME OF THE
FILM I HAVE SEEN THAT THE POLICE
CRUISER THAT WENT FLAMING
DOWNSTATE STREET WAS NOT
INCLUDED.
ABOUT A WEEK AFTERWARDS, TWO
MONUMENTS AT THE STATE CAPITAL
THAT I USED TO WALK BY WERE TORN
DOWN.
ONE WAS OF HANS CHRISTIAN --
COMMIT THE ABOLITION --
THE ABOLITIONIST WHO DIED AT
CHICKAMAUGA DEFENDING THE UNION
AND PROVIDING FOR THE END OF
SLAVERY.
THE OTHER MONUMENT TORN DOWN --
BY THE WAY THEY TOOK A TOW TRUCK
AND TORE IT DOWN, WAS LADY
FORWARD.
LADY FORWARD WAS THERE BECAUSE
OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.
WISCONSIN WAS THE FIRST STATE TO
PASS SUFFRAGE BACK IN THE EARLY
1900S.
THOSE WERE TORN DOWN.
YESTERDAY, A SOCIAL WORKER WHO
TEACHES AT A LOCAL SCHOOL JUST
OUTSIDE MADISON, SHE WAS CHARGED
WITH BEATING A STATE SENATOR.
HER NAME IS SAMANTHA HAMER.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE TO MY
COLLEAGUES ON THE LEFT THAT IF
YOU THINK YOU ARE INSULATED FROM
ANTIFA, WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY A
MYTH, YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT
THAT.
THEM AND OTHER RADICALS WILL NOT
SPARE VIOLENCE ON ANYONE.
THEIR ANARCHY IS MEANT TO
DESTROY OUR COUNTRY.
IF YOU WANT TO CONTACT A FORMER
COLLEAGUE OF MINE, STATE SENATOR
TIM CARPENTER, A DEMOCRAT, HE
WILL TELL YOU HE WAS BEAT TO A
PULP ON THAT NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT
WHEN THEY WERE TEARING DOWN
THOSE STATUES.
IT IS NOT A MYTH.
.
I WOULD ASK I DON'T KNOW IF OUR
ATTORNEY GENERAL IN WISCONSIN OR
THE MAYOR OF MILWAUKEE ARE GOING
TO PURSUE WHAT APPEARS TO
PERHAPS BE A POLITICAL
EXECUTION.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THAT
SITUATION AND MILWAUKEE ECHO MR.
BARR: THE SHOOTING --
MR. BARR: I HAVE READ ABOUT IT.
>> IF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND
LAW ENFORCEMENT IN WISCONSIN DO
NOT ACT, WILL THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT STUDY THE SITUATION
AND BRING JUSTICE FOR MR.
TRAMMELL?
MR. BARR: YES.
WE WILL STUDY THAT.
>> THIS IS NOT A MYTH.
YOU WERE HEARING IT FROM ALL
OVER THE COUNTRY.
THIS HAPPENED IN MADISON,
WISCONSIN ALSO.
A MAYOR, A FAR LEFTIST MAYOR
PROUDLY CARRIES THAT BANNER, SAT
ON A STREET -- NOT A STREET, A
HIGHWAY WITH PROTESTERS AND SHUT
DOWN TRAFFIC.
AND THEN STATE STREET, ONE OF
THE MOST ICONIC STREETS IN THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN WAS
DESTROYED.
I AM NOT SO SURE THOSE
BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO GET
THEIR BUSINESSES BACK.
IT IS NOT A MYTH FOLKS.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IS REAL ACROSS
OUR COUNTRY.
WE NEED TO STOP THE RIOTS.
THESE ARE NOT PEACEFUL PROTESTS,
THESE ARE RIOTS.
WE NEED TO CALL AN END TO IT.
I HOPE YOU, MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL
WILL WORK TOWARDS THAT.
>> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
>> ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR, I
WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON SOME
QUESTIONS.
YOU TESTIFIED EARLIER YOU HAVE
AT TIMES VOTED BY MAIL, CORRECT?
MR. BARR: I REMEMBER ONCE.
>> PUBLIC RECORD SHOWS YOU VOTED
BY MAIL IN 2012 IN 2019 -- 2012
AND 2019.
MR. BARR: IN ONE OCCASION I HAD
TO VOTE BEFORE THE ELECTION.
>> I RAISE THIS BECAUSE IN MAY
OF THIS YEAR, 800 PUBLIC HEALTH
EXPERTS FROM ACROSS THE NATION
SENT A LETTER URGING CONGRESS TO
PREPARE FOR A PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION BY MAIL TO ALLOW
AMERICANS TO VOTE FROM HOME AND
ASSURE THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY.
ARE YOU AWARE HEALTH EXPERTS
HAVE EMPHASIZED VOTING BY MAIL
IS CRITICAL TO PROTECTING PUBLIC
HEALTH?
.
MR. BARR: WHEN WAS THAT?
.
-- >> IN MAY OF THIS YEAR.
I HAVE A COPY FOR YOU.
THAT PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE IS
REALLY IMPORTANT TO CITIZENS IN
THE COMMONWEALTH BECAUSE WE HAVE
A LARGE POPULATION OF SENIORS
WHO ARE AT HIGHER RISK OF
CORONAVIRUS.
THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE
BETWEEN RISKING THEIR LIVES AND
EXERCISING THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
THE PROBLEM WE ARE FACING IS
THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS
REPEATEDLY SOUGHT TO CAST DOUBT
ON THE SECURITY OF MAIL-IN
BALLOTS, SAYING THE 2020
ELECTION COULD BE RIGGED WITH "
MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS
PRINTED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES."
YOU HAVE REPEATED THIS
DISINFORMATION.
MR. BARR: IT IS NOT
DISINFORMATION.
>> I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION FOR
YOU YET.
LAST MONTH, YOU ECHOED THE
CONSPIRACY THEORY WHEN YOU
SUGGESTED AND THREE INTERVIEWS
THAT "FOREIGN COUNTRIES COULD
MANUFACTURE BALLOTS TO INFLUENCE
THE ELECTION," CORRECT?
MR. BARR: YES.
>> IN FACT, YOU HAVE NO EVIDENCE
THAT FOREIGN COUNTRIES COULD
SUCCESSFULLY SWAY ELECTIONS WITH
COUNTERFEIT BALLOTS, DO YOU?
MR. BARR: NO, BUT I HAVE COMMON
SENSE.
>> THAT IS WHAT YOU RESPONDED
WHEN YOU SAID -- WHEN YOU WERE
DIRECTLY CHALLENGED.
YOU SAID IT WAS OBVIOUS.
ACCORDING TO ELECTIONS
OFFICIALS, YOUR ALLEGED CONCERNS
HERE ARE NOT OBVIOUS, BUT ARE
OUTRAGEOUS.
EVERY STATE IN THE UNION HAS
ABSENTEE BALLOTS.
TWO THIRDS OF STATES ALLOW FOR
VOTE BY MAIL FOR ANY REASON.
FIVE STATES, COLORADO, OREGON,
WASHINGTON, VOTE ENTIRELY BY
MAIL AND HAVE DONE SO FOR
DECADES.
EVEN THE U.S. MILITARY USES
MAIL-IN BALLOTS, DOESN'T IT?
MR. BARR: YES.
>> ISN'T IT TRUE THAT AFTER YOU
SUGGESTED WITHOUT EVIDENCE THAT
FOREIGN ADVERSARIES COULD SWAY
ELECTIONS USING COUNTERFEIT
BALLOTS, EXPERTS AND OFFICIALS
FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY SAID
THAT WHAT YOU SUGGESTED WAS
VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE,
PREPOSTEROUS, WOULD NEVER HAPPEN
AND WOULD BE READILY DETECTED?
MR. BARR: THERE ARE NOT MULTIPLE
LEVELS OF SECURITY.
I DON'T AGREE THAT --
>> AGAIN, I AM HAPPY TO SUPPLY
YOU WITH THE STATEMENTS.
MR. BARR: BEFORE DONALD TRUMP --
>> RESCINDING MY TIME.
THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT
FOREIGN COUNTRIES CAN MAKE
COUNTERFEIT BALLOTS AND CREATE A
REAL THREAT TO ELECTION
SECURITY.
ARE YOU AWARE THAT IN MAY, THE
PRESIDENT TWEETED, "MAIL-IN
VOTING WILL LEAD TO MASSIVE
FRAUD AND ABUSE.
IT WILL LEAD TO THE END OF OUR
GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY."
MR. BARR: I WAS NOT AWARE THAT.
>> THAT SUGGESTS THE PRESIDENT
IS SPREADING DISINFORMATION
ABOUT MAIL-IN BALLOTS BECAUSE HE
IS AFRAID THAT IF MORE PEOPLE
VOTE, HE WILL LOSE.
THE FACT IS THAT FOREIGN
ADVERSARIES CANNOT ACTUALLY
INFLUENCE OUR ELECTIONS BY
SUBMITTING MASSIVE COUNTERFEIT
BALLOTS.
THE FBI AND INTELLIGENCE
SERVICES HAVE REPEATEDLY WARNED
THAT THOSE ADVERSARIES ARE
TRYING TO SOW MISTRUST OF OUR
SYSTEMS.
BY REPEATING MISINFORMATION,
U.N. THE PRESIDENT ARE HELPING
THEM.
MR. BARR: I WOULD LIKE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.
>> YOU WOULD AGREE THAT
PROSECUTORS WHO MAKE
CONTRIBUTIONS ARE ALIGNED WITH A
POLITICAL PARTY?
MR. BARR: WHO MAKES
CONTRIBUTIONS?
>> YOU SAID THAT PROSECUTORS WHO
MAKE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE
IDENTIFYING WITH A POLITICAL
PARTY, YES?
YOU AND YOUR WIFE HAVE DONATED
OVER 700 $30,000 TO REPUBLICAN
CANDIDATES INCLUDING DONATIONS
OF $58,000 TO REPUBLICAN
SENATOR'S AND SENATE CANDIDATES
IN THE FOUR MONTHS PRECEDING
YOUR CONFIRMATION?
IS THAT CORRECT?
MR. BARR: ARE YOU SURPRISED THEM
REPUBLICAN?
>> IS THAT CORRECT?
MR. BARR: OVER A LONG PERIOD OF
TIME.
JOOMLA! TO HAVE A LONG PERIOD OF
TIME.
-- CUMULATIVE OF A LONG.
OF TIME.
I WAS TALKING ABOUT --
>> TIME IS EXPIRED.
>> I WOULD SEEK UNANIMOUS TO --
UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SUBMIT THE
PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT LETTERS
SIGNED BY 800 INDIVIDUALS THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S REPEATED
INTERVIEWS THAT OUR ELECTIONS
CAN BE UNDERMINED, THE
OVERWHELMING REACTION FROM
ELECTION OFFICIALS AROUND THE
COUNTRY AND THE ARTICLES
CONCERNING HIS CAMPAIGN
DONATIONS.
>> WITHOUT OBJECTION THE
ARTICLES WILL BE ENTERED INTO
THE RECORD.
>> MR. BARR, YOUR DEPARTMENT
RELEASED PAUL MANAFORT, THE
PRESIDENT'S FORMER CAMPAIGN
MANAGER OVER CONCERN FOR
CORONAVIRUS.
IN MARCH OF -- YOUR DEPARTMENT
RELEASED GUIDELINES MY CRITERIA
BY WHICH, PRIORITIES BY WHICH
PEOPLE WOULD BE RELEASED EARLY.
BY YOUR OWN DEPARTMENT'S,
MANAFORT DID NOT MEET THAT
CRITERIA.
SINCE THE START OF THIS
PANDEMIC, WE HAVE ARE -- WE HAVE
REPEATEDLY URGED YOU TO USE
AUTHORITY TO PROTECT VULNERABLE
POPULATIONS IN PRISONS.
INSTEAD, YOU RELEASE THE
PRESIDENT'S FORMER CAMPAIGN
MANAGER.
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY FEDERAL
INMATES HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR
COVID-19 AS OF TODAY?
MR. BARR: I HAVE THAT NUMBER.
>> QUICKLY.
WE HAVE A SLIDE.
10,000 INMATES HAVE TESTED
POSITIVE AND OVER 1000 STAFF
HAVE TESTED POSITIVE.
YOU KNOW HOW MANY HAVE DIED?
MR. BARR: ALMOST 100 I THINK.
>> THAT IS RIGHT.
99 INMATES HAVE DIED.
YET ONLY 5% HAVE BEEN RELEASED
UNDER YOUR GUIDELINES.
MR. BARR: 7000 --
>> YOU SAID YOU WERE TAKING
"EVERY MEASURE WE CAN TO PROTECT
FEDERAL INMATES."
THE NUMBERS TELL A DIFFERENT
STORY, AS DO YOUR ACTIONS.
DESPITE RELEASING MANAFORT, YOUR
LAWYERS CONTINUE TO ARGUE
AGAINST THE RELEASE OF
PRISONERS.
IN APRIL, VULNERABLE PRISONERS
WHO SUFFER FROM SERIOUS HEALTH
CONDITIONS LIKE CHRONIC ASTHMA,
HEART DISEASE AND KIDNEY DISEASE
FILED A LAWSUIT FOR EARLY
RELEASE IN OHIO.
THESE PRISONERS WERE BEING
"OVERCROWDED LIKE CATTLE BECAUSE
PRISONS WERE NOT ABLE TO SOCIAL
DISTANCE."
550 PRISONERS SOUGHT RELIEF, GET
YOUR OWN DEPARTMENT PROCESSED
ONLY SEVEN APPLICATIONS AND
DENIED THEM ALL.
YET, YOU HAD TIME TO PROCESS
MANAFORT'S APPLICATION.
YOUR DEPARTMENT DID.
APPARENTLY, NOT THESE VULNERABLE
AMERICANS LIVING AT GREAT RISK.
IN FACT, IN A SERIES OF RULINGS
IN APRIL AND MAY, AN OHIO
DISTRICT COURT RULED YOUR
DEPARTMENT "ACT WITH URGENCY AND
MOVE INMATES OUT DUE TO
CONTINUED RISK OF HARM TO
PRISONERS AND GOVERNMENT STAFF."
SIR, YOUR DEPARTMENT CHALLENGED
THAT COURT ORDER, DID IT NOT?
MR. BARR: I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH
THAT.
>> YOU DID.
YOU DID NOT HELP MOVE THESE
INMATES OUT AS ORDERED.
YOU TRIED TO BLOCK THE DISTRICT
COURT'S ORDER.
THE SUPREME COURT ON MAY 26
REJECTED HER TO PART REQUEST.
NINE PRISONERS HAD DIED AND IT
HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS.
DO YOU EVEN KNOW TODAY HOW MANY
OF THOSE PRISONERS HAVE BEEN
RELEASED?
OR HOW MANY MORE HAVE DIED?
MR. BARR: I DON'T.
IT STARTED OUT WITH 170,000
PRISONERS.
>> I NEED YOU TO EXPLAIN TO ME
AND TO AMERICA HOW IS IT THAT
THE FORMER CAMPAIGN MANAGER OF
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES, WHO DID NOT MEET THE
PRIORITY CRITERIA, GOT RELEASED
EVEN THOUGH YOUR OWN DEPARTMENT
ADMITTED HE DID NOT MEET THE
GUIDELINES, BUT ALL OF THESE
OTHER FOLKS WERE NOT?
IF IT WERE DEADLY ENOUGH A VIRUS
THAT YOU NEEDED TO PROTECT THE
FORMER CAMPAIGN MANAGER, WHY NOT
ALL OF THESE AMERICANS WHO ALSO
HAVE AT RISK CONDITIONS?
THE CONTRAST SAYS IT ALL.
IT IS NOT JUST IN OHIO.
IN MY HOME STATE OF TEXAS, A
FEDERAL PRISON HOUSING WOMEN
WITH MENTAL AND MEDICAL HEALTH
ISSUES JUST CONFIRMED LAST WEEK
THAT OF THE 1000TH RENDERED 57
PRISONERS, OVER 500 TESTED
POSITIVE.
-- 1350 SEVEN PRISONERS, OVER
500 TESTED POSITIVE.
YES, NONE HAVE BEEN RELEASED.
HAVE YOU SEEN THOSE STATISTICS?
MR. BARR: I PUT OUT GUIDELINES
-- TO PROPEL THE RELEASE OF --
>> YOU HAVE NOT RELEASED ANYONE.
MR. BARR: I PUT OUT GUIDELINES.
>> ONE OF THOSE PRISONERS IS A
MOTHER WHO HAD TO GIVE BIRTH ON
A VENTILATOR BECAUSE YOUR
DEPARTMENT PRIORITIZES RELEASING
PAUL MANAFORT INSTEAD OF
VULNERABLE AMERICANS.
IF YOU WEEKS AFTER THIS PHOTO,
SHE DIED ALONG WITH TWO OTHER
WOMEN HOUSED IN THIS FACILITY
FROM COVID-19.
YOU COULD BE SAVING LIVES WHILE
REDUCING THE PRISON POPULATION,
YET YOU BLATANTLY ABANDON YOUR
DUTY TO THIS WOMEN.
YOU HAVE SHAMELESSLY ABANDONED
YOUR OATH OF OFFICE.
YOU HAVE PRIORITIZED GIVING
SPECIAL FAVORS TO THE PRESIDENTS
FRIENDS.
THIS IS NOT EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER
THE LAW.
IT IS NOT THE LAW THAT YOU AND I
LEARNED IN LAW SCHOOL.
IT IS TOO -- ONE FOR THE
PRESIDENTS FRIENDS AND ONE FOR
EVERYONE ELSE.
MR. BARR:.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE --
>> I YELLED BACK.
MR. BARR: THE DIRECTOR TESTIFIED
UNDER OATH THAT --
>> THE GENTLELADY YIELDS.
>> THE GENTLEMAN HAS NOT BEEN
GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.
>> MR. NEGUS IS RECOGNIZED.
>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.
I WANT TO GO THROUGH A COUPLE OF
YOUR PRIOR STATEMENTS.
APRIL 18, 20 19, YOU STATED "THE
WHITE HOUSE FULLY COOPERATED
WITH THE SPECIAL --
TODAY, TO THE PENALTY OF
PERJURY, IS THAT STATEMENT TRUE?
MR. BARR: I THOUGHT IT TO BE
TRUE AT THE TIME I MADE IT.
WISE AND TRUE?
>> I WILL GET TO THAT.
MR. BARR: DOES IT HAVE TO BE --
>> I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.
ON JUNE 19 --
MR. BARR: I NEED TO ANSWER THAT.
>> YOU DID.
MR. BARR: YOU SAID UNDER PENALTY
OF PERJURY.
I'M GOING TO ANSWER THE DAM
QUESTION.
>> ARE YOU SAY NO?
MR. BARR: WHAT I WAS REFERRING
TO WAS THE DOCUMENTS.
>> THE STATEMENT WAS NOT LIMITED
TO THE SUPPLY OF DOCUMENTS.
[INDISCERNIBLE]
>> APRIL 19, 2019, THE WHITE
HOUSE FULLY COOPERATED WITH THE
SPECIAL COUNSEL'S INVESTIGATION.
YOU KNEW AT THAT TIME THE
PRESIDENT HAD NOT AGREED TO BE
VIEWED BY SPECIAL COUNSEL.
MR. BARR:.
--
MR. BARR: I SAID IT WAS
REFERRING TO THE PRODUCTION OF
DOCUMENTS.
>> ON JUNE 18 OF THIS YEAR, THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ISSUED A
STATEMENT SAYING THAT MR. BERMAN
, A FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY NEW
YORK HAD "STEPPED DOWN."
YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT?
MR. BARR: YES.
>> DO TESTIFIED TODAY THAT THAT
STATEMENT WAS TRUE AT THE TIME
THE DEPARTMENT TO SHOOT IT?
-- DEPARTMENT ISSUED IT?
MR. BARR: HE MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN.
>> HE MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN?
MR. BARR: HE WAS BEING REMOVED.
>> THE STATEMENT DID NOT SAY HE
WAS BEING REMOVED.
IT DID NOT SAY HE WAS BEING
FIRED.
IT SAID HE WAS STEPPING DOWN.
ACCORDING TO YOUR TESTIMONY
TODAY IS THAT THAT WAS ACCURATE
EVEN THOUGH MR. BERMAN HAS
TESTIFIED IT WAS NOT.
MR. BARR: HE WAS REMOVED.
I WANTED AN OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER
--
>> THE RATIONALIZATION FOR YOUR
ANSWER
-- MR. BARR: IT IS NOT A
RATIONALIZATION.
>> EARLIER THIS YEAR, PRESIDENT
TRUMP STATED HE HAD PLANNED TO
MAKE WHAT HE DESCRIBED
[NO AUDIO]
[PLEASE STAND BY]
MR. BARR: MAYBE IF THEY HAD
VETTED THE DOSSIER.
>> THERE IS NO U.S. ATTORNEY YOU
HAVE APPOINTED TO DO THAT.
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE WITH RESPECT
TO THIS PROCESS IS UNPRECEDENTED
MR. BARR: IT WAS CAUTIONARY SO
THAT WE DO NOT DELUDE THE
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS
WITH UKRAINIAN DISINFORMATION.
>> I WILL GIVE YOU AN AN
OPPORTUNITY.
MR. BARR: YOU ARE?
.
>> I INTEND TO.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW
YORK, THE ATTORNEY RESPONSIBLE
FOR THAT DISTRICT, YOU HAVE
ASKED THAT DID -- THAT ATTORNEY
TO BE -- THE INTAKE PROCESS?
MR. BARR: THE U.S. ATTORNEY IN
THE EASTERN DISTRICT WAS GIVEN
OVERSIGHT OF ALL UKRAINIAN
RELATED CASES.
ANY NEW CASES INVOLVING UKRAINE.
WE FACED A PROBLEM WITH UKRAINE
WHICH WAS UNRELIABLE
INFORMATION.
THERE IS A LOT OF CORRUPTION
THERE.
IT IS A HALL OF MIRRORS AND I
WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT BEFORE
WE GOT INTO CRIMINAL
PROCEEDINGS, TO EVERYONE'S
BENEFIT, THAT THE INFORMATION
WAS SCRUBBED.
>> I APPRECIATE -- THE MEMO YOU
ISSUED SAID ANY AND ALL MATTERS
DEALING WITH UKRAINE SHALL BE
DIRECTED TO THE EASTERN DISTRICT
OF NEW YORK.
THE U.S. ATTORNEY RESPONSIBLE IN
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
WAS RECENTLY CHANGED.
MY UNDERSTANDING WAS YOU
ANNOUNCED SETH DUCHARME WOULD
TAKE OVER RICH DONAHUE.
MR. BARR: -- IS IN CHARGE OF
VETTING.
>> MR. NEW CHARM WORKED AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE?
MR. BARR: HE WAS A COUNSELOR TO
ME, AND THEN THE PRINCIPAL
ASSISTANT DEPUTY ATTORNEY
GENERAL.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
NOW HE IS THE DEPUTY DISTRICT
ATTORNEY.
YOU HAVE APPOINTED YOUR PRIOR
COUNSEL TO OVERSEE THAT PROCESS.
I YIELD BACK MY TIME.
>> MS. MCBETH.
>> BEFORE WE GO TO MS. MCBETH,
CAN I ENTER DOCUMENTS WITH
UNANIMOUS CONSENT, THE TWO MEMOS
ARE REFERRED TO, SETTING
GUIDELINES FOR WHO GETS
RELEASED, WASHINGTON POST
ARTICLE ABOUT PAUL MANAFORT'S
RELEASE, AND A TESTIMONY FROM
THE COUNCIL OF PRISON LOCALS THE
RECORD.
>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.
I WANT TO START BY THANKING YOU
ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR FOR
JOINING US AND FOR THE WORK YOUR
DEPARTMENT ARE DOING TO KEEP OUR
COUNTRY SAFE.
A FEW MONTHS AGO, YOU SAID YOU
WOULD BE TAKING THE PRESIDENTS
POSITION IN URGING THE SUPREME
COURT TO OVERTURN THE AFFORDABLE
CARE ACT.
WHEN ASKED IF YOU WILL STILL
THAT -- WILL STILL TAKE THAT
POSITION EVEN IF IT MEANS "
STRIPPING MILLIONS OF AMERICANS
OF HEALTH CARE IN THE MIDDLE OF
A PANDEMIC, QUOTE --," YOU
STATED IT WOULD NOT BE ARGUED
UNTIL OCTOBER AND THAT THE
PRESIDENT EXPECTS TO FIX AND
REPLACE OBAMACARE.
ATTORNEY BARR, LET'S BE VERY
CLEAR.
AS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AND
DATA HAVE SHOWN, THIS PANDEMIC
IS NOT GOING AWAY.
LAST WEEK, IT WAS REPORTED THAT
ONE HOSPITAL WAS PLANNING TO
SEND CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS HOME
TO DIE DUE TO LIMITED RESOURCES
TO TREAT THEM.
WE ARE STILL FACING AN EXTREMELY
CRITICAL AND SERIOUS SITUATION.
EVEN IF YOU EXPECT THE PRESIDENT
TO FIGURE OUT A NEW PLAN BY
OCTOBER, THE PRESIDENT HAS NOT
YET PUT IN PLACE ANOTHER SYSTEM.
NOR IS THERE ANY GUARANTEE THAT
HE WILL DO SO BY OCTOBER, AS YOU
EXPECT.
WHEN YOU SAY YOU EXPECT THE
PRESIDENT TO FIGURE OUT A NEW
PLAN, YOU ARE TAKING A RISK WITH
MILLIONS OF AMERICAN'S LIVES.
YOU ARE RISKING THE LIVES OF A
MILLIONS.
PEOPLE WILL NOT BE COVERED FOR
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS IF THE
SUPREME COURT AGREES WITH YOUR
POSITION CIVIL SERVANTS IN YOUR
OWN DEPARTMENT HAVE DISAGREED
WITH YOU ON THIS MATTER.
IN FACT, I AM INTRODUCING A
STATEMENT BY ONE OF THE LEAD
ATTORNEYS ON THE ACA CASE WHO
RESIGNED IN PROTEST WHEN YOUR
DEPARTMENT REFUSED TO DEFEND THE
LAW AS IT IS REQUIRED.
IN MY DISTRICT, THE SIXTH
DISTRICT OF GEORGIA, THERE ARE
OVER 300 THOUSAND PEOPLE THAT
HAVE PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS.
I AM ONE OF THEM.
A TWO TIME BREAST CANCER
SURVIVOR.
OUR STATE IS CONTINUING TO
BATTLE HARD AGAINST A RESURGENCE
OF COVID-19 CASES.
I AM ASKING YOU NOT TO GAMBLE
WITH AMERICAN LIVES.
NOT TO GAMBLE WITH MY LIFE.
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONFIRM THAT
IF THE PRESIDENT HAS NO OTHER
PLAN IN PLACE BY OCTOBER, YOU
WILL REVERSE COURSE AND DROP
YOUR POSITION THAT I QUOTE YOU
DIRECTLY, THE ENTIRE ACA MUST
FALL.
MR. BARR: I HAVE TWO CHILDREN
WHO ARE CANCER SURVIVORS.
I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THIS.
AS A MATTER OF POLICY.
I BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT HAS HAD
MADE CLEAR THAT HE WILL ENSURE
--
>> ANSWER MY QUESTION.
WILL YOU STOP PLAYING POLITICS
WITH AMERICANS HEALTH CARE IN
THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC?
MR. BARR: I AM NOT PLAYING
POLITICS COME I AM NOT IN CHARGE
OF HEALTH CARE.
>> WILL YOU REVERSE COURSE AND
MAKE SURE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS
LIKE ME THAT DEPEND ON HEALTH
CARE AND TREAT TO STAY ALIVE,
WILL YOU REVERSE COURSE TO MAKE
SURE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO LIVE
IN THIS COUNTRY FREELY WITH
QUALITY HEALTH CARE?
MR. BARR: PEOPLE WILL HAVE THE
HEALTH CARE PROTECTION.
THAT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED -- IF
THE GOVERNMENT LOSES THE CASE --
>> I TAKE THIS AS A NO.
MR. BARR: BASED ON HISTORY --
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION MY
CONCERNS RELATED TO GUN
VIOLENCE.
MR. BARR: WHAT?
>> I WANT TO GO ON ANOTHER
CONCERN I HAVE RELATED TO GUN
VIOLENCE.
MR. BARR: OK.
>> THE NATION HAS SEEN A
DRAMATIC INCREASE IN FIREARMS
SALES AND SKYROCKETING NUMBERS
OF SALES -- BACKGROUND CHECKS.
IN MARCH, THE BACKGROUND SYSTEM
BLOCKED 33,000 ATTEMPTED SALES.
IN ONE MONTH, THERE WERE 23,000
ATTEMPTS TO GET A FIREARM BY A
PERSON WHO WAS NOT ALLOWED TO
POSSESS ONE UNDER CURRENT LAW.
IT IS A FEDERAL CRIME FOR ANYONE
TO LIE IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET A
FIREARM, WHICH IS WHAT I EXPECT
MOST PEOPLE TRIED TO DO.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OF
THESE MARCH BLOCKED SALES WERE
INVESTIGATED?
MR. BARR: I SENT A DIRECTIVE WE
SHOULD START PROSECUTING IF WE
CAN COME OF THESE CASES.
PREVIOUSLY WE HAD NOT BEEN
PURSUING THEM.
>> I TAKE THAT AS A NO.
MR. BARR: WE ARE PURSUING THOSE
CASES.
>> THIS FITS A LARGER PATTERN OF
YOUR ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS
NEGLECTED THE HEALTH AND SAFETY
OF AMERICANS.
THIS ADMINISTRATION IS FAILING
TO KEEP MY CONSTITUENTS AND
PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
HEALTHY AND SAFE.
I DEMAND BETTER.
AMERICANS DEMAND BETTER.
I WANT YOU TO PROVIDE THE ANSWER
THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO --
THESE ARE RELEVANT QUESTIONS.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN.
I HAVE A QUESTION.
>> FOR WHAT PURPOSE?
>> FOUR MONTHS TO HAVE TRIED TO
GET THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO
COME.
HE IS HERE.
WHY DON'T YOU LET HIM SPEAK?
>> THE GENTLEMAN IS NOT
RECOGNIZED.
>> IF YOU WANT THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL TO COME, LET HIM ANSWER
THE QUESTIONS.
>> THE GENTLEMAN'S RUDENESS IS
NOT EXERCISED.
>> RUDENESS?
>> YOU REFUSE TO LET THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL ANSWER THE
QUESTIONS.
>> MR. STANTON IS RECOGNIZED.
>> MAYBE THE LAST FEW WITNESSES
WILL --
>> MR. STANTON IS RECOGNIZED.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING
HERE.
SINCE THE PASSING OF THE VOTING
RIGHTS ACT OF 1965, THOSE WHO
HAVE THOUGHTS TO SUPPRESS THE
MINORITY ROUTE -- SUPPRESS THE
MINORITY VOTE CONCEAL THEIR
INTENTIONS.
THEY CLAIM THEY WERE SET OUT TO
ADVANCE ALL TRISTA GOALS LIKE
ELECTION SECURITY.
HISTORY HAS PROVEN THOSE
RATIONALIZATIONS RELIES DESIGNED
TO FEND OFF -- THOSE
RATIONALIZATIONS WERE LIES.
THOSE WHO AIMED TO SUPPRESS THE
MINORITY VOTE HAS NEVER SAID IT
OUT LOUD.
NOT DONALD TRUMP.
HE DID NOT TRY TO KEEP IT
SECRET.
HE BLURTED IT OUT.
HE SAID HE WILL LOSE THE 2020
ELECTION IF MORE AMERICANS ARE
ABLE TO VOTE.
THAT IS ONE REASON WHY THIS
PRESIDENT NEEDED A FIXER AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
FROM LETTING RUSH OFF THE HOOK
TO REWARDING ROGER STONE.
MR. BARR, YOU HAVE PROVEN
WILLING AND ABLE.
MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, THIS
COMMITTEE HEARD TESTIMONY ABOUT
A RESURGENCE IN DISCRIMINATORY
VOTING PRACTICES.
THESE PRACTICES INCLUDE
UNNECESSARILY STRICT PHOTO ID
REQUIREMENTS AND THE ABUSE OF
SIGNATURE MATCH REQUIREMENTS TO
REJECT ABSENTEE BALLOTS.
DESPITE THAT, YOUR DEPARTMENT
HAS A LAX APPROACH TO ENFORCING
VOTING RIGHTS ACT.
YOU FILED JUST ONE CASE TO DO
SO.
THE DOJ HAS DONE NOTHING TO
BLOCK THE SUPPRESSION PRACTICES
WE HEARD ABOUT OVER A YEAR AGO.
TO YOUR CREDIT, YOU WARNED US.
YOU TOLD THE NEW YORK TIMES
MAGAZINE THIS SPRING THAT THE
DOJ'S ROLE IN PROTECTING THE
RIGHTS TO VOTE WILL BE LIMITED
THIS YEAR.
IT WILL BE UP TO STATES TO
POLICE THEMSELVES.
ISN'T THAT RIGHT?
MR. BARR: I DON'T RECALL SAYING
THAT.
>> IT IS IN THE NEW YORK TIMES
ARTICLE FROM LAST ARTICLE? >>
IT IS IN THE ARTICLE FROM LAST
MONTH.
YOU SAY IT WOULD BE UP TO THE
VOTERS TO REFEREE THE ELECTION.
>> DON'T REMEMBER THE CONTEXT OF
THAT IT WAS I TALKING ABOUT
FOREIGN INFLUENCE?
>> NO, SIR.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO REVIEW IT
AND SUBMIT ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY.
WHEN WE HAVE MORE TIME SOMEDAY
YOU WILL HAVE TO EXPAND TO ME
HOW A PERSON WHO'S RIGHT TO VOTE
IS DENIED BY A DISCRIMINATORY
PRACTICE CAN REFEREE AND
ELECTION.
BUT I DIGRESS.
IT TROUBLES ME THAT YOU HAVE NOT
BEEN CONSISTENT IN YOUR COACH.
AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, YOU
HAVE SUED -- STOOD DOWN ON
DISCRIMINATION AND MADE IT
HARDER FOR STATES TO VOTE.
YOU HAVE USED THE DOJ AS A SWORD
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE IT
EASIER TO VOTE.
VOTING RIGHTS ADVOCATES IN SOUTH
CAROLINA AND ALABAMA SOUGHT TO
PREVENT PEOPLE FROM VOTING AND
RISKING THEIR HEALTH BY MAKING
IT EASIER AND SAFER TO COMPLETE
ABSENTEE BALLOTS RING THE
PANDEMIC, BUT YOUR DOJ
INTERVENED TO TRY TO BLOCK THE
ACCOMMODATION.
DID YOU DISCUSS EITHER OF THOSE
CASES WITH THE PRESIDENT? >> NO.
>> THE AMERICAN PEOPLE --
>> I DON'T EVEN KNOW THE CASES
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
>> CASES IN WHICH --
>> TELL ME THE NAME.
>> I DON'T KNOW THE NAMES.
NORTH CAROLINA AND ALABAMA.
YOU CAN COMMENT AFTER YOUR
TESTIMONY HERE TODAY IS DONE.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE GOOD
REASON TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL
CONTINUE TO USE YOUR AUTHORITY
TO CARRY OUT THE WISHES OF THE
PRESIDENT TO SUPPRESS THE VOTE
AND THERE ARE FEARS THAT YOU IN
THE PRESIDENT ARE LAYING THE
FOUNDATION TO INTERFERE WITH THE
UPCOMING ELECTION, SPECIFICALLY
WITH VOTE BY MAIL, AS MY
COLLEAGUES HAVE REVIEW SLING
NOTED, BECAUSE YOU HAVE BOTH
ADVANCED FALSE SECURITY ARES AND
I HOPE WE CAN PUT SOME OF THOSE
FEARS TO REST HERE TODAY.
MR. FAR, CAN YOU COMMIT TO THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE TO WILL NOT
INTERVIEW -- INTERFERE WITH
STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES USE
PROBE BY MAIL AT ABSENTEE
BALLOTS IN THE 2020 ELECTIONS?
MR. BARR: I THINK THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT HAS VERY LIMITED
ABILITY TO GIVE INVOLVED BUT I'M
NOT GOING TO GIVE UP THE ABILITY
THAT WE HAVE TO ENSURE THE TECH
REALLY -- THE INTEGRITY OF THE
ELECTION.
MY OBSERVATION WAS THAT IT WOULD
OPEN UP --
>> I GOT --
>> I THINK THE --
>> MR. BARR, THE PRESIDENT
SUGGESTED THAT ONLY THE VOTERS
VOTE ON ELECTION DAY SHOULD BE
COUNTED.
SAYING THAT IT SHOULDN'T COUNTED
ALL OF IT IS CAST BEFORE THE DAY
.
I WANT TO REASSURE YOUR
COMMITMENT TO MAKING SURE EVERY
VOTE COUNTED IF IN THIS UPCOMING
ELECTION, THE PRESIDENT ASKS YOU
TO INTERVENE TO TRY TO STOP
STATES FROM COUNTING LEGAL
BALLOTS AFTER ELECTION DAY, WILL
YOU DO THE RIGHT THING AND
REFUSED?
YES OR NO?
I WILL -- MR. BARR: I WILL
FOLLOW THE LAW.
IF ESTATE HAS A LAW THAT SAYS IT
HAS TO BE CAST ON ELECTION DAY,
THAT'S THE LAW.
REP. STANTON: WILL YOU COMMIT TO
MAKING SURE THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE DOESN'T GET INVOLVED IN
A CONTESTED ELECTION?
MR. BARR: I WILL FOLLOW THE LAW.
REP. STANTON: SO DISAPPOINTING
THAT WE CANNOT GET A CLEAR
ANSWER FROM HIM.
I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT THE ITEM
FROM "THE BEARS -- FROM
"GUARDIAN," SECOND "NEW YORK
TIMES MAGAZINE," "WILLIAM BARR'S
STATE OF EMERGENCY," "WHAT WOULD
HAPPEN IF YOU REFUSED."
>> MR. CHAIRMAN --
>> WITHOUT OBJECTION --
>> FOLLOWING THE LAW --
>> THAT OBJECTION --
X THAT'S SOMETHING THE JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE KNOWS IS PRETTY DARN
CLEAR.
>> WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
MATERIAL WILL BE ENTERED INTO
THE RECORD.
>> COULD WE TAKE A FIVE MINUTE
BREAK?
>> NO.
>> IT'S A COMMON COURTESY OF
EVERY WITNESS.
>> WE WAITED AN HOUR FOR YOU.
>> I HAVEN'T HAD LUNCH.
>> WE ARE ALMOST FINISHED.
WE ARE GOING TO BE FINISHED IN A
FEW MINUTES.
WE CAN CERTAINLY TAKE A BREAK.
MR. BARR: YOU ARE A REAL CLASS
ACT.
>> HE WANTS A BREAK NOW?
RUDENESS ON DISPLAY.
LET THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAVE A
BREAK.
>> THE COMMITTEE STANDS AND
RECESS NOW.
MR. BARR: THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIRMAN.
>> HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
TAKING A SHORT FIVE MINUTE MAKE,
ALMOST WRAPPING UP TODAY'S
OVERSIGHT HEARING WITH THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL, WILLIAM BARR.
WE WILL STAY HERE FOR LIVE
COVERAGE WHEN THEY GAVELED BACK
IN AND WE WILL LET YOU KNOW THAT
THE ENTIRE HEARING RE-AIRS
TONIGHT AT 8:00 EASTERN HERE ON
C-SPAN.
WE ANTICIPATE BEING ABLE TO
BRING YOU LIVE COVERAGE LATER
THIS AFTERNOON OF THE
PRESIDENT'S NEWS CONFERENCE FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE AT 4 P.M. TO 5
P.M. EASTERN.
>> THE COMMITTEE WILL RECONVENE.
MISS TEEN IS RECOGNIZED -- MISS
DEAN IS RECOGNIZED.
REP. DEAN: IN LAFAYETTE SQUARE,
PEACEFUL PROTESTERS GATHERED
OVER DAYS AND HOURS TO DISCUSS
CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE HEINOUS
MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD CALL FOR
EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE USE OF
FORCE DISPLAYED IN THE VIDEO
AGAINST THE PROTESTERS IN
LAFAYETTE SQUARE YOU STATED THAT
YOUR ATTITUDE WAS TO GET IT DONE
.
LET'S LOOK AT WHAT YOU GOT DONE.
IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE
TIMELINE WE COMPILED, WE CAN SEE
THAT YOU WERE SPOTTED THERE AT
10 P.M. THAT MONDAY EVENING.
THE PRESIDENT WAS SCHEDULED TO
SPEAK IN THE ROSE GARDEN AT
6:15.
THE PARK POLICE BEGAN TO
DISPERSE PROTESTERS AT ROUGHLY
6:33.
PRESIDENT TRUMP STARTED HIS
SPEECH AT 6:43 AND FINISHED BY
650 -- 6:50.
WHEN THE PRESIDENT WAS READY TO
TAKE A PHOTO IN FRONT OF ST.
JOHN'S CHURCH, THE SQUARE WAS
CLEARED AND READY FOR HIM TO GO.
AM I CORRECT?
YES -- MR. BARR: YES.
REP. DEAN: THE TIMING IS CLEAR.
ONE SAFETY OFFICIAL SAID THAT IT
WAS AS IF THE PLAN FROM THE PARK
POLICE TO MOVE THE PERIMETER HAD
BEEN "HURRIED UP" WHEN THE
PRESIDENT NEEDED TO WALK TO
CHURCH AND JUST TODAY WE HEARD
TESTIMONY FROM A NATIONAL GUARD
OFFICER DEPLOYED AT LAFAYETTE
SQUARE CONFIRMING THAT HE
SUSPECTED THE SQUARE TO BE CLEAR
AFTER THE CURFEW.
MR. BARR: WHO WAS THAT?
REP. DEAN: ADAM DIMARCO,
NATIONAL GUARD.
MR. BARR: WELL --
REP. DEAN: I DIDN'T HAVE A
QUESTION FOR YOU, SIR.
WE WERE TOLD THAT YOU LEARNED OF
THE PRESIDENT'S INTEREST IN
CROSSING THE SQUARE TO GO TO THE
CHURCH.
IS IT YOUR OPINION THE CLEARING
PROTESTERS FROM THE SQUARE,
WHICH LOCAL OFFICIALS WERE TOLD
TO HURRY UP MOMENTS BEFORE THE
PRESIDENT'S PHOTO OP WITH A
BORROWED BIBLE IN FRONT OF THE
CHURCH WAS COINCIDENT? IS THIS
TIMING COINCIDENCE?
MR. BARR: I BELIEVE IT IS.
POST HOC ERGO PROCTOR HOCK.
REP. DEAN: NEVER MIND THE LATIN.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE USE OF
PEPPER BOMBS --
MR. BARR: IT WASN'T A
COINCIDENCE IN THE SETTING, IF
YOU WOULD PERMIT ME.
AS I SAID, I WILL USE THE
ANALOGY OF MACARTHUR.
REP. DEAN: WE HEARD THAT.
MISTY ATTORNEY GENERAL -- MR.
ATTORNEY GENERAL, WE WILL ASSUME
THAT WAS ALL COINCIDENCE.
MR. BARR: I HAVE ALREADY
EXPLAINED THAT IT HAD BEEN
PLANNED ALL DAY.
REP. DEAN: THE TIME IS MINE AND
WE HAVE WAITED A LONG TIME FOR
YOU TO COME HERE.
MR. BARR: YOU WAITED TO TALK TO
ME LIKE THIS?
YOU DIDN'T NEED TO WAIT.
REP. DEAN: WHEN YOU FIRED PEPPER
BOMBS -- WHEN ASKED ABOUT FIRING
PEPPER BOMBS AT AMERICANS, YOU
SET PEPPER SPRAY IS NOT A
CHEMICAL IRRITANT.
MR. BARR: EVERYTHING IS
CHEMICAL, I WAS REFERRING TO A
DICHOTOMY IN THESE KINDS OF
THINGS BETWEEN CHEMICAL
COMPOUNDS AND NATURALLY
OCCURRING SUBSTANCES.
REP. DEAN: THERE ARE RULES BY
WHICH WE OPERATE AND I WOULD ASK
YOU TO RESPECT THEM, RECLAIMING
MY TIME.
ON THE SCREEN I HAVE PLACE FOR
REFERENCE AS YOU ARE AWARE HOW
YOUR DEPARTMENT DESCRIBES THE
PEPPER BALLS USED ON THE
AMERICANS IN LAFAYETTE SQUARE.
IT WAS NOTED THAT IT HAS
ACCURACY WHEN ACCOMPANYING BLUNT
TRAUMA WITH IMPACT MAKING IT AN
IDEAL CHEMICAL DISPENSING SYSTEM
SO IN A QUOTE YOU SAID IT WASN'T
CHEMICAL, TODAY COULD -- TODAY
YOU CONFIRMED IT IS CHEMICAL AND
YOU ARE AWARE OF DEPARTMENT
POLICY, ARE YOU NOT? REP. DEAN:
-- MR. BARR: WHAT POLICY?
REP. DEAN: THE WHAT I JUST
PROVIDED TO YOU.
MR. BARR: WHAT DOES IT SAY?
WHAT'S THE POLICY?
REP. DEAN: I SHOWED IT TO YOU.
PERHAPS YOU WEREN'T LISTENING.
MR. BARR: I DIDN'T SEE THE
POLICY.
WHAT WAS THE POLICY AND THERE?
REP. DEAN: WHETHER OR NOT YOU
AUTHORIZED THE USE OF PEPPER
BALLS --
MR. BARR: THE --
REP. DEAN: I DID NOT ASK YOU A
QUESTION YET, SIR, I ASK YOU TO
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM INTERRUPTING
ME.
WE WATCHED HORRIFYING VIDEO
SHOWING CHEMICAL PURITANS USED
ON PROTESTERS.
YES OR NO, THIS IS A YES OR NO,
SIR, HAVE YOU BEGUN AN
INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE OF
EXCESSIVE FORCE IN LAFAYETTE
SQUARE?
MR. BARR: I THINK THE IG IS
LOOKING AT ANYTHING RELATED TO
ANTIRIOT.
REP. DEAN: SO, THE ANSWER IS
YES.
LET'S HOPE HE DOESN'T GET FIRED.
TRAGICALLY, WHAT HAPPENED THERE
IS NO LONGER AN ISOLATED
INCIDENT.
USE OF CHEMICAL IRRITANTS HAS
HAPPENED IN MORE THAN 90 CITIES.
WE SAW THE VIDEO OF THE NAVY
VETERAN BEING PEPPER SPRAYED AND
BEATEN, HIS PHONE BROKEN.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU THOUGHT THIS
WAS APPROPRIATE AT THE TIME,
HAVE YOU CALLED WORK
LAW-ENFORCEMENT TO STOP USING
THESE CHEMICAL YOUR TENTS ON
PROTESTERS?
YES OR NO? MR. BARR: PEPPER
SPRAY?
NO, IT'S AN IMPORTANT NONLETHAL
OPTION.
REP. DEAN: FOR PROTESTERS?
MR. BARR: NO, FOR WRITERS.
REP. DEAN: MY QUESTION WAS FOR
PROTESTERS.
MR. BARR: NO, AMERICA WAS
FOUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF
FREE SPEECH.
MR. BARR: WHEN AMERICANS -- REP.
DEAN: RECLAIMING MY TIME.
I'M SURPRISED YOUR LACK OF
POLITENESS.
>> MANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS FROM
-- FLED FROM AMERICA -- FLED TO
AMERICA FROM COUNTRIES THAT USED
ARMED FORCES TO SUPPRESS
DISSENTING FORCE IT -- VOICES.
THEY CHERISH OUR CONSTITUTION AS
MANY AMERICANS HAVE DONE FOR
GENERATIONS BECAUSE OF THE
INCREDIBLE FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS
BEING AN AMERICAN CITIZEN GIVES
TO ALL OF US.
IT'S EXTERNALLY PERSONAL TO ME
BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT I
LIVE BY THE AMERICAN
CONSTITUTION.
IT'S TRUE THAT THOSE WHO ARE NOT
FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO ALWAYS HAVE
THESE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
SOMETIMES CHERISH THEM EVEN MORE
THAN THOSE WHO HAVE ALWAYS HAD
THEM.
WHEN THEY SEE PHOTOS FROM
PORTLAND, THEY DON'T SEE THE
AMERICAN IDEAL FOR THE AMERICA
THEY KNOW, THEY SEE AND ARE
REMINDED OF WHAT THEY LEFT
BEHIND.
YOU WOULD AGREE WITH ME ON THAT?
ARE YOU LISTENING, MR. BARR?
MR. BARR: WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF
THAT LAST SENTENCE?
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: JUST LOOK
AT THESE VIDEOS FOR ONE SECOND.
WE HAVE SEEN VIOLENCE IN
VENEZUELA AT THE HANDS OF
MADURO.
FIRING TEAR GAS THAT PROTESTERS.
USING BRUTAL TACTICS TO CRUSH
DEMONSTRATIONS.
THAT'S WHAT WE SEE FROM
DICTATORS ON THE LEFT AND THE
RIGHT.
BUT IT IS HARD TO DISTINGUISH
THESE PHOTOS FROM THOSE EVENTS
AND THE VIDEOS WE HAVE SEEN BY
U.S. FEDERAL POLICE IN PORTLAND,
TEAR-GASSING AND BREAKING THE
BONES OF A PEACEFULLY PROTESTING
U.S. ARMY VETERAN.
VERY SIMILAR.
HOW DO YOU RESTORE THE
CONFIDENCE OF MY CONSTITUENTS
AND THE VALIANT OF THIS COUNTRY
WHEN EVERY NIGHT ON TELEVISION
THEY SEE THESE IMAGES OF
VIOLENCE USED AGAINST PEACEFUL
PROTESTERS?
WE ALL DENOUNCE VIOLENCE.
HOW DO YOU RESTORE THE TRUST IN
OUR DEMOCRACY?
MR. BARR: I THINK THAT, I THINK
THAT THE FORCE IS BEING DEPLOYED
AGAINST RIOTERS OR, IN
SITUATIONS WHERE PROTESTERS ARE
NOT FOLLOWING POLICE DIRECTIONS.
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: MOST OF
THE PROTESTS HAVE BEEN PEACEFUL,
MR. BARR.
YOU KNOW THAT.
YOU ARE USING LANGUAGE FOR
POLITICAL PURPOSES.
LET ME GO NOW TO ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT TOPICS FACING THE
NATION RIGHT NOW, HEALTH CARE.
YOU KNOW IN MY DISTRICT WE HAVE
CLOSE TO 100,000 PEOPLE THAT GET
HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THE
ACA.
90,000 OF THEM ARE LIVING WITH
SERIOUS PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS.
AND YET YOU ARE WORKING TO STRIP
THEIR HEALTH CARE AT THE WORST
POSSIBLE MOMENT, WHEN THE
CORONAVIRUS IS KILLING THOUSANDS
IN MY STATE.
MR. BARR: THEY WILL NOT BE
STRIPPED OF THEIR HEALTH CARE.
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: IN THE
COUNTIES I REPRESENT, DO YOU
KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIED
FROM COVID-19?
MR. BARR: NO, I DON'T.
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: 1400 10
PEOPLE.
YOU WERE AT THE WHITE HOUSE ON
MARCH 23RD WHEN THE PRESIDENT
SAID THAT GOVERNOR DESANTIS WAS
DOING AN INCREDIBLE JOB.
DO YOU AGREE THAT GOVERNOR
DESANTIS IS DOING AN INCREDIBLE
JOB?
MR. BARR: I HAVE NO REASON NOT
TO BELIEVE THAT.
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: FLORIDA
NOW HAS MORE CASES THAN CHINA.
MR. BARR: DID CUOMO DO AN
INCREDIBLE JOB IN NEW YORK?
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: IN FLORIDA
WE HAVE MORE CASES THAN MOST
COUNTRIES COMBINED AROUND THE
WORLD, SO NO, HE IS NOT DOING AN
INCREDIBLE JOB.
YOU PUSHED STATES TO OPEN TOO
SOON, THREATENED THEM WITH
LAWSUITS --
MR. BARR: I DIDN'T ASK STATES TO
OPEN.
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: YOU
THREATENED STATES WITH LAWSUITS
FOR STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS.
MR. BARR: THINGS LIKE CHURCH.
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: WE HAVE
THE FACTS.
MR. BARR: NOW THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA HAS MORE THAN 4.3
MILLION COVID CASES ALONE.
YOU, YOU, MR. BARR, AND
PRESIDENT, WORKING TOGETHER, ARE
LETTING MY CONSTITUENTS DOWN AND
IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE
GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE WITH.
WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO SAY TO MY
CONSTITUENTS WHEN THEY ASK ME IF
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DONE
EVERYTHING IN ITS POWER TO
PROTECT THEIR LOVED ONES FROM
DYING?
YOU TELL ME, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED
TO TELL THEM?
MR. BARR: I WOULD TELL THEM THAT
MANAGING THIS KIND OF THING
REQUIRES A LOT OF DIFFICULT
CHOICES TO BE MADE AND DIFFERENT
CONSEQUENCES.
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: I'M NOT
GOING TO LIE TO MY CONSTITUENTS.
I'M GOING TO LET THEM KNOW THAT
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND THE,
WORKING TOGETHER, ARE NOT
FOLLOWING HEALTH GUIDELINES AND
ARE LETTING AMERICANS DIE
NEEDLESSLY FOR POLITICAL
REASONS.
THAT IS WHAT I WILL TELL THEM.
THANK YOU.
ONE LAST QUESTION, IF I CAN,
UNDER OATH, UNDER OATH DO YOU
COMMIT TO NOT RELEASING ANY
REPORTS BY MR. DURHAM BEFORE THE
NOVEMBER ELECTION?
MR. BARR: NO.
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: YOU DON'T
COMMIT TO THAT.
MR. BARR: SO YOU WON'T GO BY
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE POLICY
THAT YOU WON'T INTERFERE IN ANY
POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS BEFORE
THE NOVEMBER ELECTION?
MR. BARR: I HAVE MADE IT CLEAR,
I'M NOT GOING TO TOLERATE IT.
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: UNDER OATH
YOU WOULD NOT COMMIT TO NOT
RELEASING THE REPORT.
MR. BARR: I'M NOT GOING TO --
ANY REPORT WILL BE IN MY
JUDGMENT NOT ONE COVERED BY THE
POLICY THAT WOULD DISRUPT THE
ELECTION.
I HAVE ALREADY MADE IT CLEAR.
MR. BARR: GOING AGAINST FEDERAL
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT POLICY.
-- REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: GOING
AGAINST FEDERAL DEPARTMENT
POLICY.
MR. BARR: I KNOW THE POLICY.
REP. MUCARSEL-POWELL: DO YOU
WANT ME TO REPEAT IT FOR YOU?
I YELLED BACK.
MR. BARR: POINT OF ORDER --
>> POINT OF ORDER.
IS IT PERMISSIBLE FOR A MEMBER
OF THIS COMMITTEE TO ACCUSE THE
SITTING ATTORNEY GENERAL OF
MURDER, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE
JUST HEARD.
THOSE WORDS NEED TO BE STRUCK
FROM THE RECORD, THIS IS
OUTRAGEOUS.
THEY CAN JUST SAY WHATEVER THEY
WANT?
WHAT ABOUT THE RULES OF DECORUM?
>> I HAVE A CLARIFICATION.
>> MISS ESCOBAR IS RECOGNIZED.
>> WAS THE VIDEO PLAYED BY THE
PREVIOUS MEMBER, WAS THAT A
VIDEO OF THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN
THE UNITED STATES FOR THINGS
THAT HAPPENED IN VENEZUELA?
>> NOT A POINT OF ORDER, MISS
ESCOBAR IS RECOGNIZED.
REP. ESCOBAR: MR. BARR, THE
ADMINISTRATION AGAINST THE DOJ
OWN MEMO IS TRYING TO EXCLUDE
UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS FROM THE
CENSUS, AN ACTION THAT HARMS
AMERICAN LIVES AND IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES AND AMERICAN
COMMUNITIES.
HERE'S AN EXAMPLE.
MANY AMERICAN CHILDREN LIVE WITH
AN UNDOCUMENTED -- UNDOCUMENTED
PARENT OR RELATIVE.
THE CHANGE IN THE CENSUS WOULD
MEAN THAT THOSE CHILDREN WOULD
RECEIVE LESS MONEY FOR PROGRAMS
LIKE THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH
PROGRAM, HEADSTART, OR THE STATE
CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE
PROGRAM.
A SIMPLE YES OR NO, PLEASE, ARE
YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THE
DECISION THAT WOULD PUNISH
AMERICAN CHILDREN IN IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES IN THIS WAY?
MR. BARR: I DON'T MAKE THE
POLICY, I PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE
ON LEGAL ISSUES.
BOTH THIS ISSUE AND THE ISSUE OF
THE ACA, THE QUESTION THAT YOU
PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT IS
THE LAW.
REP. ESCOBAR: A SIMPLE YES OR
NO, DOES THE CONSTITUTION SAY
THAT ONLY CITIZENS SHOULD BE
COUNTED IN THE CENSUS?
MR. BARR: NO.
REP. ESCOBAR: CORRECT, IT DOES
NOT.
THE FRAMERS EXPLICITLY
CONFRONTED THIS QUESTION AND
PROVIDED THAT PERSONS IN EACH
STATE BE COUNTED.
MR. BARR: THEY WOULDN'T HAVE
CONFRONTED IT BECAUSE THERE WERE
NO ILLEGAL ALIENS.
REP. ESCOBAR: AMONG OTHER
THINGS, I'M ALARMED BY YOUR
REFUSAL IN THE DEPARTMENT TO
COMPLY WITH KEY SUPREME COURT
RULINGS.
JUNE 18 OF THIS YEAR THE COURT
IN AN OPINION AUTHORED BY CHIEF
JUSTICE ROBERTS RULED THAT THE
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MUST
ATTEMPT TO RESCIND DOC WAS
ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS AND
REQUIRED THE ADMINISTRATION TO
PROCESS NEW APPLICATIONS.
DESPITE THAT RULING, ZERO
APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN
PROCESSED.
THAT'S NOT THE ONLY SUPREME
COURT DECISION THAT YOUR
ADMINISTRATION HAS IGNORED.
IN 2017 YOUR DEPARTMENT ISSUED A
MEMO SAYING THAT TRANSGENDER
WORKERS WERE NOT PROTECTED BY
CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS.
THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK THAT
DOWN, TOO.
MR. BARR: NO, I'M SORRY, WE SAID
THE 64 ACT --
REP. ESCOBAR: RECLAIMING MY
TIME, SIR.
IN THE DOCKET AND TRANSGENDER
DECISIONS, YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS
YET TO -- DACA AND
TRANSGENDER DECISIONS, YOUR
APARTMENT HAS YET TO COMPLY.
MR. BARR: I GUESS WE ARE.
REP. ESCOBAR: YOU ARE NOW
PROCESSING DACA APPLICATIONS?
MR. BARR: WE ARE TRYING TO
RESTORE THE ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCESS AND I THINK THAT DHS OUT
A RULE TODAY.
AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD.
REP. ESCOBAR: YOU TESTIFY THAT
YOU DISCUSS TO THE PRESIDENT'S
REELECTION CAMPAIGN WITH HIM.
DOES THE PRESIDENT TELL YOU WHAT
HE THINKS THE WINNING ISSUES FOR
HIM WOULD BE IN HIS REELECTION?
MR. BARR: I CAN'T DISCUSS MY
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT.
REP. ESCOBAR: I'M NOT ASKING YOU
TO DIVE ALL JENNY THINK PRIVATE
OR CLASSIFIED.
MR. BARR: I THINK THAT MY
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT
ARE CONFIDENTIAL.
BUT IT SHOULDN'T SURPRISE YOU
THAT IN AN ELECTION YEAR THAT
THE TOPIC OF THE ELECTION COMES
UP.
MR. BARR: IT SURPRISES -- REP.
ESCOBAR: IT SURPRISES ME THAT
THE DOJ HAS BECOME SO
POLITICIZED, THAT'S WHAT
SURPRISES ME.
HAVE YOU EVER DISCUSSED THE FACT
THAT ANTI-IMMIGRANT AND
ANTI-LGBT FROM -- POLICIES
EXCITE HIS BASE?
MR. BARR: NO.
REP. ESCOBAR: YOU'VE NEVER HAD
THAT CONVERSATION?
HE'S NEVER TOLD YOU THAT HIS
ANTI-IMMIGRANT, ANTI-LGBTQ
POLICIES JUNE UP HIS BASE?
MR. BARR: I HAVEN'T DISCUSSED
THAT WITH HIM, BUT I THINK A LOT
OF HIS BASE DOES CARE ABOUT
IMMIGRATION POLICY.
MR. BARR: DOES THAT MOTIVATE --
REP. ESCOBAR: DOES THAT MOTIVATE
SOME OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO?
MR. BARR: LIKE WHAT?
REP. ESCOBAR: THAT POSITION WAS
TAKEN ON THE TRANSGENDER THAT
YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WAS TAKEN
BEFORE I ARRIVED IN LITIGATION,
I BELIEVE.
MR. BARR: AND YOU CAN -- REP.
ESCOBAR: YOU CAN REVERSE IT ANY
DAY.
MR. BARR: IT WAS A LEGAL
QUESTION AS TO WHETHER --
REP. ESCOBAR: I'M RUNNING OUT OF
TIME, ONE MORE QUESTION.
YOU KEEP TELLING US THAT YOU ARE
NOT AWARE OF THE PRESIDENT'S
TWEETS.
ARE YOU AWARE THAT YOUR
DEPARTMENT HAS STATED THAT THE
PRESIDENT'S TWEETS ARE WHITE
HOUSE STATEMENTS?
MR. BARR: I WASN'T.
I DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THEM
UNLESS THEY ARE BROUGHT TO MY
ATTENTION.
REP. ESCOBAR: THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE TODAY.
I WANT TO REMIND YOU OF
SOMETHING YOU PROBABLY DON'T
REMEMBER BUT SOME MONTHS AGO YOU
WERE OUTSIDE MY OFFICE, COMING
OUT OF MY NEIGHBORS OFFICE, DOUG
COLLINS.
I TAP YOU ON THE SHOULDER AND IN
A FRIENDLY REMINDER I HANDED YOU
A COPY OF THE CONSTITUTION AND I
ASKED THESE HELP US DEFEND THE
CONSTITUTION.
THERE IS NOTHING MORE DANGEROUS
TO OUR REPUBLIC THAN AN ATTORNEY
GENERAL WHO REFUSES TO UPHOLD
HIS OATH, REFUSES TO UPHOLD AND
DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, AND
SWEARS ALLEGIANCE TO JUST ONE
PERSON, DONALD TRUMP.
SADLY, THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.
MR. BARR: MY LOYALTY IS THE
CONSTITUTION --
>> THE LADY JUST ACCUSED HIM OF
NOT ADHERING TO HIS OATH OF
OFFICE.
LET THEM TALK.
SHE JUST ACCUSE THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF
NOT ADHERING TO HIS OFFICE.
>> THE GENTLEMAN WILL SUSPEND,
THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK.
THE RANKING MEMBER ASKED IF THE
VIDEO SHOWN FROM FLORIDA TOOK
PLACE IN THE U.S. OR ECUADOR.
>> VENEZUELA.
>> THE U.S. OR VENEZUELA --
>> THAT, SIR, IS PRECISELY THE
POINT.
THIS CONCLUDES THE POINT.
THANK YOU, ATTORNEY GENERAL, FOR
PARTICIPATING.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, ALL MEMBERS
HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO
SUBMIT ADDITIONAL MATERIALS TO
THE WITNESSES FOR THE RECORD AND
FOR THAT OBJECTION -- AND WITH
THAT -- AND WITHOUT OBJECTION,
THE HEARING IS ADJOURNED.
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>> IN CASE YOU MISSED ANY OF
THIS HEARING WITH WILLIAM BARR,
