US Attorney General William Barr holds a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, on January 13, 2020. (AFP photo)
US Attorney General William Barr publicly swiped at President Donald Trump on Thursday, declaring the presidents tweets about Justice Department prosecutors and open cases "make it impossible for me to do my job."
Barr made the comment during an interview with ABC News just days after his Justice Department overruled its own prosecutors - who had recommended in a court filing that Trumps longtime ally and confidant Roger Stone be sentenced to 7 to 9 years in prison - and took the extraordinary step of lowering the amount of prison time it would seek. The department didnt offer an amended number.
Barr himself has been under fire for the reversal. Still, it was a highly unusual move for a member of the Cabinet to criticize the president - especially a Trump loyalist who shares the presidents views on expansive executive powers.
Thursdays comment served as a defense of his own integrity - an effort to salvage his own reputation and that of the Department of Justice by publicly rebuking the president hes propped up from Day One of his tenure.
The remarks, made so quickly after the decision to back away from the sentencing, suggested Barr was aware the reversal had chipped away at the departments historic reputation for independence from political sway. But he stopped short of acknowledging wrongdoing by anyone.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Trump "wasnt bothered by the comments at all and he has the right, just like any American citizen, to publicly offer his opinions." She added, "The President has full faith and confidence in Attorney General Barr to do his job and uphold the law."
But Trump has a low tolerance for criticism, especially public criticism, from his allies and often fires back in kind. And the tempered White House response raised questions of whether Barrs comments were coordinated with the White House.
Barr said Trumps tweets created perception problems for the department that called into question its independence, but he denied there was any order from Trump and said Trumps tweets did not factor into the decision.
Barr joined a roster of high level aides who have publicly criticized Trump, thought the rest left the job first. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton is to publish a book next month detailing his time in the White House including criticism of Trump actions such as his decision to withhold military assistance while seeking a political favor from Ukraine.
Former Chief of Staff John Kelly, who has largely kept a low profile since leaving the White House, has grown more open about his unflattering assessments of the president.
Earlier this week, Trump applauded Barr on Twitter for the decision to reverse the sentencing recommendation, writing: "Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought."
The department insisted the decision to undo the sentencing recommendation was made Monday night - before Trump blasted the recommendation on Twitter as "very horrible and unfair"- and prosecutors had not spoken to the White House about it. The about-face prompted the four attorneys who prosecuted Stone to quit the case. One left the Justice Department altogether.
"Im happy to say that, in fact, the president has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case," Barr said in the ABC interview. "However, to have public statements and tweets made about the department, about our people ... about cases pending in the department, and about judges before whom we have cases, make it impossible for me to do my job and to assure the courts and the prosecutors in the department that were doing our work with integrity."
US National security adviser Robert OBrien told reporters Thursday evening at the White House that Trump tweets to bypass the mainstream press and speak directly to the American people.
"Its just a different method of communicating with the American people and the president has every right to weigh in," OBrien said. "Hes got First Amendment rights, even though hes president. And hes got a right to weigh in with his opinions on the big issues of the day and I think hes going to continue to do that."
Stone was convicted in November of tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election. Hes scheduled to be sentenced next week.
Barr said he was "of course" prepared to deal with any ramifications from the president for his comments. Administration officials said senior White House aides were not informed of the contents of Barrs interview before it aired.
"As I said during my confirmation, I came in to serve as attorney general. I am responsible for everything that happens in the department, but the thing I have most responsibility for are the issues that are brought to me for decision," Barr said in the interview.
It is extremely rare for Justice Department leaders to reverse the decision of prosecutors on a sentencing recommendation, particularly after that recommendation has been submitted to the court. The actual sentencing is up to the judge.
(Source: The Associated Press)
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/13950
TAGS:
online news tv
