This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/jan/15/trump-live-latest-news-updates-us-politics-today-william-barr-shutdown

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Mueller inquiry is no witch-hunt, William Barr tells confirmation hearing – live updates Mueller inquiry is no witch-hunt, William Barr tells confirmation hearing – live updates
(35 minutes later)
The hearing is taking a break for lunch after Barr offered a strong defense of Mueller so far this morning, insisting that the investigation would not be a witch hunt and that the special counsel is “a straight shooter.”
Barr says that his views on sentencing has changed. “I understand things have changed since 1992.” He credits his reluctance to support sentencing reform to being in private practice and away from law enforcement.
Barr’s full answer on being bullied can be watched in this clip.
BARR: "I had a very good life. I have a very good life. I love it. But I also want to help in this circumstance, and I am not going to do anything that I think is wrong, and I will not be bullied into doing anything I think is wrong... I'm going to do what I think is right." pic.twitter.com/Zqep0MQsij
Barr says “I will not be bullied into doing anything that I think is wrong.”
When asked why he wants seems to be a thankless job by Dick Durbin, Barr says “because I love the department” and adds that he feels that he is “at a position in life where he can protect the independence of this department and serve in this administration.”
Barr says he can’t answer if Trump has the authority to use the Department of Defense to build a border wall.Barr says he can’t answer if Trump has the authority to use the Department of Defense to build a border wall.
.@LindseyGrahamSC asks whether Trump has the authority to take money from the Department of Defense to build the border wall. Barr demures. Graham says please get back to the committee with an answer..@LindseyGrahamSC asks whether Trump has the authority to take money from the Department of Defense to build the border wall. Barr demures. Graham says please get back to the committee with an answer.
Barr on Russian interference in the 2016 election:Barr on Russian interference in the 2016 election:
“I believe the Russians interfered, or attempted to interfere, with the election, and we have to get to the bottom of it.”“I believe the Russians interfered, or attempted to interfere, with the election, and we have to get to the bottom of it.”
Barr says that in June, 2017 that Ambassador David Friedman approached him about possibly representing Trump as a client.Barr says that in June, 2017 that Ambassador David Friedman approached him about possibly representing Trump as a client.
Barr says he declined but Friedman, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, still asked him to meet with Trump. Barr says his meeting with Trump was “brief” and that Trump asked him questions about Mueller. Barr says that he told Trump “Bob is a straight shooter and should be dealt with as such.”Barr says he declined but Friedman, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, still asked him to meet with Trump. Barr says his meeting with Trump was “brief” and that Trump asked him questions about Mueller. Barr says that he told Trump “Bob is a straight shooter and should be dealt with as such.”
Barr doesn’t commit to releasing all of Mueller’s report to the public.Barr doesn’t commit to releasing all of Mueller’s report to the public.
Barr not fully committing to publicly releasing Mueller report. He says he will commit to releasing "as much as I can" consistent with the law. Big gray area.Barr not fully committing to publicly releasing Mueller report. He says he will commit to releasing "as much as I can" consistent with the law. Big gray area.
Barr says “I don’t believe Mr. Mueller to be involved in a witch hunt” and adds that he believes Sessions “probably did the right thing” in recusing himself.Barr says “I don’t believe Mr. Mueller to be involved in a witch hunt” and adds that he believes Sessions “probably did the right thing” in recusing himself.
Lindsey Graham is starting his questions by asking Barr about Peter Strzok and Lisa Page and reading text messages between the two.
Barr is pledging that he will not interfere with Mueller’s probe”
“I believe it is in best interest of everyone, the president, Congress and the American people that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work. The country needs a credible resolution to these issues.”
He adds “on my watch Bob will be allowed to finish his work.”
Barr says he has not promised Trump anything other than that “he will run the department with professionalism and integrity.”
Barr is now giving his opening statement and referencing his previous confirmation process when he was confirmed unanimously by the Senate.
He references past comments saying that political interference in the Department of Justice should never be tolerated and that “the American people need to know that there are places in government where rule of law and not politics must hold sway.”
Orrin Hatch of Utah, who served seven terms in the U.S. Senate before not seeking re-election in 2018, is now introducing Barr. Hatch served as the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1993-2005 and continued to sit on the committee until his retirement.
After Lindsey Graham opens the hearing by running through Barr’s qualifications, Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the committee, now raises the Mueller investigation. She says “the attorney general must resist political pressure and be committed to defending this investigation.”
She does note ongoing concerns about the memo Barr wrote to the Justice Department last year that was critical of Mueller’s view of obstruction of justice and his robust view of executive power.
The hearing on Bill Barr’s nomination to be Donald Trump’s attorney general has now begun. Barr previously served as attorney general under George H.W. Bush from 1991-1993.
It will be the first meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee under its new chairman, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
President Donald Trump has drawn attention on Twitter this morning for yet another one of his unique typos. This time, for spelling “hamburger” as “hamberder” when boasting about his fast food feast with the national champion Clemson Tigers last night.
Great being with the National Champion Clemson Tigers last night at the White House. Because of the Shutdown I served them massive amounts of Fast Food (I paid), over 1000 hamberders etc. Within one hour, it was all gone. Great guys and big eaters!
Republican governor Kim Reynolds has proposed a constitutional amendment in Iowa to end the state’s ban on felon voting.
Iowa is currently one of two remaining states that permanently bans anyone convicted of a felony from voting. The other is Kentucky. Currently, the only way anyone can have their rights restored is through directly petitioning the governor for clemency.
Good morning.
The partial government shutdown has reached day 25, Republican Steve King has been stripped of committee assignments after yet another inflammatory and racially charged comment and the confirmation hearings for Bill Barr to be attorney general are set to begin.
It’s Tuesday in American politics.