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William Barr says he would not fire Mueller without good cause – live William Barr says he would not fire Mueller without good cause – live
(35 minutes later)
After Sheldon Whitehouse asks Barr what the DOJ should know about the foreign business entanglements of senior government officials, Barr remains silent for a few seconds.
Barr is now criticizing federal district courts for issuing injunctions to block Trump’s travel ban nationally.
Barr says “voter turnout shouldn’t be artificially driven up without dealing with the underlying issue of an informed citizenry” when asked about voter ID.
Barr says “I don’t think we should ever do torture” and says the McCain legislation to codify the Army field manual was important.Barr says “I don’t think we should ever do torture” and says the McCain legislation to codify the Army field manual was important.
In response to a question from Feinstein, Barr is “torture is never lawful.” When asked if waterboarding is torture, he says “right now, it is prohibited.”In response to a question from Feinstein, Barr is “torture is never lawful.” When asked if waterboarding is torture, he says “right now, it is prohibited.”
The second round of questioning now begins as Thom Tillis finishes his questions for Barr.The second round of questioning now begins as Thom Tillis finishes his questions for Barr.
Barr said after his initial meeting with Trump in 2017, that he didn’t meet with the president until November, 2018. That meeting was about the attorney general nomination and Barr says there was no discussion of Mueller.Barr said after his initial meeting with Trump in 2017, that he didn’t meet with the president until November, 2018. That meeting was about the attorney general nomination and Barr says there was no discussion of Mueller.
Kamala Harris is now pushing Barr on whether he supports a border wall.Kamala Harris is now pushing Barr on whether he supports a border wall.
Barr backs away a little bit from his support for mass incarceration in the 1990s in response to questioning from Cory Booker but agrees to meeting with the New Jersey senator about the issue.Barr backs away a little bit from his support for mass incarceration in the 1990s in response to questioning from Cory Booker but agrees to meeting with the New Jersey senator about the issue.
Barr says “we either should have a federal law which would prohibit marijuana everywhere . . .however if we want states to have their own laws, we should get there the right way.”Barr says “we either should have a federal law which would prohibit marijuana everywhere . . .however if we want states to have their own laws, we should get there the right way.”
On marijuana, Barr says his concerns would be not upset settled expectations and reliance interests, however he describes “backdoor nullification” of federal law on marijuana policy right now.On marijuana, Barr says his concerns would be not upset settled expectations and reliance interests, however he describes “backdoor nullification” of federal law on marijuana policy right now.
The hearing has now resumed and Barr is now being questioned by John Kennedy of Louisiana.The hearing has now resumed and Barr is now being questioned by John Kennedy of Louisiana.
As the Senate Judiciary Committee has been meeting, President Donald Trump has had members of Congress at the White House for lunch. All the Democrats invited have declined to attend, leading press secretary Sarah Sanders to put out the following statement:
As Senator Schumer and Speaker Pelosi refuse to negotiate, President Donald J. Trump and his team are working hard to find solutions to solve the humanitarian and national security crisis at the border and reopen the government. The President has a proposal on the table that includes additional technology at ports of entry, allows minors from Central America to seek asylum in their home country, and physical barriers between ports of entry made of steel instead of concrete. Today, the President offered both Democrats and Republicans the chance to meet for lunch at the White House. Unfortunately, no Democrats will attend. The President looks forward to having a working lunch with House Republicans to solve the border crisis and reopen the government. It’s time for the Democrats to come to the table and make a deal.
The hearing is now taking a break. In other news related to Mueller, prosecutors are seeking yet another delay in the sentencing of Rick Gates, who was Paul Manafort’s longtime deputy and has been cooperating with the special counsel.
JUST IN: Mueller has requested another delay in Rick Gates' sentencing. "Defendant Gates continues to cooperate with respect to several ongoing investigations, and accordingly the parties do not believe it is appropriate to commence the sentencing process at this time." pic.twitter.com/zVWeTws6Zn
When asked about what information he would allow to be released from Mueller, Barr says that he intends to “get as much information out as I can, consistent with the regulations.”
Barr says he still believes Roe v Wade was wrongly decided but indicates that he views it as established precedent at this point.
Barr says that he would resign rather than do something unlawful but notes that he thinks every government official should step down if ordered to do something against the law.
Barr describes his view of the Mueller investigation:
I think there were allegations made of Russian attempts to interfere in the election and allegations made that some Americans were in cahoots with the Russians and the word being used now is collusion and as I understand it Mueller is now looking into those allegations.
When Chris Coons asks Barr if he would fire Mueller if ordered to by Trump without good cause, Barr says “I would not carry out that instruction.”
Barr leaves open the possibility of overruling Mueller, though under limited circumstances
Special counsel has broad discretion but acting attorney general, in this case, Rod Rosenstein, can ask about major decisions and if they disagree and after giving great weight to special counsel’s position, the acting attorney general felt it was so unwarranted under established policies to notify this committee
Barr says “I think a lot of our current tensions in society are because we are turning our back on the federalist model.”
When asked how he describes the rule of law by Ted Cruz, Barr says “the rule of law is exactly that that we don’t allow a special rule for a particular individual.”