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| Barr testifies before Senate following news that Mueller criticized him – live | Barr testifies before Senate following news that Mueller criticized him – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Senator Patrick Leahy asks Barr why he testified that he did not about special counsel Robert Mueller’s team’s concerns about the summary of his report, when he had spoken to Mueller about those concerns. | |
| Barr makes another fine distinction here: he was talking about press reports that members of Mueller’s team were expressing frustration about the summary, as opposed to Mueller’s own concerns. “I don’t know what that refers to at all. I talked directly to Bob Mueller, not members of his team,” he said. | |
| “I feel your answer was purposely misleading,” Leahy said. | |
| Senator Dianne Feinstein questioned Bill Barr on the episode documented in the Mueller report where Donald Trump told White House counsel Don McGahn to have Mueller removed from his post, and then told McGahn to deny it. | |
| Barr says this does not add up to obstruction of justice, relying on the distinction between ordering Mueller’s firing and ordering him to be removed for conflicts of interest. The difference, he claims, is that Mueller would have been replaced with a new special counsel if he were removed for conflicts. | |
| This sounds like splitting hairs but Barr is making a distinction between President Trump telling Don McGahn "Go fire Mueller" and "Go have him removed because of a conflict." Barr says the second one doesn't break any laws. | |
| So...Barr's explanation is that Trump wasn't ordering McGahn to have Mueller fired because he wanted the investigation to end, but was politely suggesting that McGahn have Rosenstein examine Mueller's conflicts of interest and appoint a *new* special counsel.Really?? | |
| As Attorney General William Barr testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee, minority leader Chuck Schumer is questioning his fitness for office. | As Attorney General William Barr testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee, minority leader Chuck Schumer is questioning his fitness for office. |
| There may not be a member of this Administration with more to answer for than the Attorney General. His confirmation occurred only a few months ago. Yet in that short time, Barr’s conduct has raised damning questions about his impartiality and fitness. https://t.co/TzjWCEFt2d | There may not be a member of this Administration with more to answer for than the Attorney General. His confirmation occurred only a few months ago. Yet in that short time, Barr’s conduct has raised damning questions about his impartiality and fitness. https://t.co/TzjWCEFt2d |
| Attorney General William Barr, testifying before the Senate, says he offered special counsel Robert Mueller the chance to review Barr’s letter summarizing his report. “He declined,” he said. | Attorney General William Barr, testifying before the Senate, says he offered special counsel Robert Mueller the chance to review Barr’s letter summarizing his report. “He declined,” he said. |
| In a subsequent phone call, Mueller pushed him to release executive summaries of sections of the report, which Barr declined to do. “He was very clear with me that he was not suggesting that we had misrepresented his report,” Barr said. | In a subsequent phone call, Mueller pushed him to release executive summaries of sections of the report, which Barr declined to do. “He was very clear with me that he was not suggesting that we had misrepresented his report,” Barr said. |
| Barr said he was “frankly surprised” when Mueller told him he would not reach a conclusion on whether Donald Trump committed obstruction of justice. | Barr said he was “frankly surprised” when Mueller told him he would not reach a conclusion on whether Donald Trump committed obstruction of justice. |
| “We did not understand exactly why the special counsel was not reaching a decision,” Barr said, adding that Mueller did not clarify. | “We did not understand exactly why the special counsel was not reaching a decision,” Barr said, adding that Mueller did not clarify. |
| He said that he and deputy AG Rod Rosenstein then decided they would reach a conclusion on their own. | He said that he and deputy AG Rod Rosenstein then decided they would reach a conclusion on their own. |
| “It’s a binary decision: is there enough evidence to show a crime, and do we believe a crime has been committed,” he said. “We don’t conduct criminal investigations just to collect information and put it out to the public. We do so to make a decision.” | “It’s a binary decision: is there enough evidence to show a crime, and do we believe a crime has been committed,” he said. “We don’t conduct criminal investigations just to collect information and put it out to the public. We do so to make a decision.” |
| Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham said in his opening remarks that the Mueller report found there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. | Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham said in his opening remarks that the Mueller report found there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. |
| In fact, Mueller’s report makes clear that he is not weighing in on the concept of “collusion,” which is not a legal term. Instead, he investigated whether there was criminal conspiracy, and did not find sufficient evidence to establish that there was one. | In fact, Mueller’s report makes clear that he is not weighing in on the concept of “collusion,” which is not a legal term. Instead, he investigated whether there was criminal conspiracy, and did not find sufficient evidence to establish that there was one. |
| Brian Williams just broke into @MSNBC's coverage of the Barr hearing to correct Lindsey Graham: "The chairman of the Judiciary Committee just said that Mueller found there is no collusion. That is not correct." | Brian Williams just broke into @MSNBC's coverage of the Barr hearing to correct Lindsey Graham: "The chairman of the Judiciary Committee just said that Mueller found there is no collusion. That is not correct." |
| Graham went on to devote much of his opening to discussing the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton. As for Mueller’s findings, which he acknowledged he had not read in full, he said: “For me it is over.” | Graham went on to devote much of his opening to discussing the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton. As for Mueller’s findings, which he acknowledged he had not read in full, he said: “For me it is over.” |
| Lindsey Graham is reading quotes from FBI officials saying anti-Trump things in 2016 … much like the anti-Trump things Graham was saying in 2016. "I think Donald Trump is a con man,” he said then. | Lindsey Graham is reading quotes from FBI officials saying anti-Trump things in 2016 … much like the anti-Trump things Graham was saying in 2016. "I think Donald Trump is a con man,” he said then. |
| Senator Lindsey Graham, chair of the judiciary committee, says he has read an unredacted version of the Mueller report and it did not change any conclusions compared to the public version of the reports. | Senator Lindsey Graham, chair of the judiciary committee, says he has read an unredacted version of the Mueller report and it did not change any conclusions compared to the public version of the reports. |
| Opening the hearing where the attorney general, William Barr, is set to testify, Graham said that Robert Mueller has a reputation as an “outstanding lawyer and a man of the law”. | Opening the hearing where the attorney general, William Barr, is set to testify, Graham said that Robert Mueller has a reputation as an “outstanding lawyer and a man of the law”. |
| “Mr Mueller was the right guy to do this job,” he said. | “Mr Mueller was the right guy to do this job,” he said. |
| An agreement has been reached to have special counsel Robert Mueller testify before the House Judiciary Committee, Reuters reports. | An agreement has been reached to have special counsel Robert Mueller testify before the House Judiciary Committee, Reuters reports. |
| Chairman Jerry Nadler said he has agreed to testify and the date is to be determined. | Chairman Jerry Nadler said he has agreed to testify and the date is to be determined. |
| House Democrats have published the full letter sent by Robert Mueller to Attorney General Bill Barr objecting to his characterization of the Mueller report. | House Democrats have published the full letter sent by Robert Mueller to Attorney General Bill Barr objecting to his characterization of the Mueller report. |
| BREAKING: Letter from Special Counsel Robert Mueller to Attorney General Barr. pic.twitter.com/oDJm6coP8G | BREAKING: Letter from Special Counsel Robert Mueller to Attorney General Barr. pic.twitter.com/oDJm6coP8G |
| Representative Jerry Nadler, chair of the House judiciary committee, said that Bill Barr “seems to have testified non-truthfully to the Senate and to the House.” | Representative Jerry Nadler, chair of the House judiciary committee, said that Bill Barr “seems to have testified non-truthfully to the Senate and to the House.” |
| Barr, testifying before the Senate, said he did not know whether special counsel Robert Mueller supported his conclusion that Donald Trump did not obstruct justice. But it was revealed Tuesday that Mueller sent a letter to Barr objecting to his characterizations. | Barr, testifying before the Senate, said he did not know whether special counsel Robert Mueller supported his conclusion that Donald Trump did not obstruct justice. But it was revealed Tuesday that Mueller sent a letter to Barr objecting to his characterizations. |
| “He clearly misled the American people,” Nadler told reporters on Capitol Hill in comments aired by CNN. | “He clearly misled the American people,” Nadler told reporters on Capitol Hill in comments aired by CNN. |
| Nadler stops short of calling on Barr to resign but says: “I think there are great difficulties for the attorney general at this point. Besides the fact that he clearly misled the American people, he seems to have testified non truthfully to the Senate and the House” | Nadler stops short of calling on Barr to resign but says: “I think there are great difficulties for the attorney general at this point. Besides the fact that he clearly misled the American people, he seems to have testified non truthfully to the Senate and the House” |
| Taxpayers are picking up the tab for Trump administration staffers to eat, drink, and stay at Mar a Lago, with the revenue going to Donald Trump’s companies, according to bills obtained by ProPublica. | Taxpayers are picking up the tab for Trump administration staffers to eat, drink, and stay at Mar a Lago, with the revenue going to Donald Trump’s companies, according to bills obtained by ProPublica. |
| The charges include more than $1,000 for a drinking session at Mar-a-Lago’s Library Bar during a visit by a Chinese delegation, where aides poured their own drinks after asking the bartender to leave. The White House paid the bill after the State Department objected to covering it. | The charges include more than $1,000 for a drinking session at Mar-a-Lago’s Library Bar during a visit by a Chinese delegation, where aides poured their own drinks after asking the bartender to leave. The White House paid the bill after the State Department objected to covering it. |
| Roy Moore is considering another run for Senate in Alabama and sent out a fundraising pitch citing the survival of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as a sign he can make a comeback. | Roy Moore is considering another run for Senate in Alabama and sent out a fundraising pitch citing the survival of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as a sign he can make a comeback. |
| Moore’s 2017 campaign flamed out because of allegations of sexual misconduct with underage girls. He lost to Senator Doug Jones. | Moore’s 2017 campaign flamed out because of allegations of sexual misconduct with underage girls. He lost to Senator Doug Jones. |
| The Washington Post reports that he sent out a fundraising pitch signed by his wife Kayla Moore saying he is “seriously considering another run for the United States Senate!” | The Washington Post reports that he sent out a fundraising pitch signed by his wife Kayla Moore saying he is “seriously considering another run for the United States Senate!” |
| “It was no strange coincidence that only 10 months later these same false and scurrilous tactics would again be used in the midst of a very important Supreme Court nomination process of Brett Kavanaugh in 2018,” the message says. “Judge Kavanaugh would survive to be appointed to that high court.” | “It was no strange coincidence that only 10 months later these same false and scurrilous tactics would again be used in the midst of a very important Supreme Court nomination process of Brett Kavanaugh in 2018,” the message says. “Judge Kavanaugh would survive to be appointed to that high court.” |
| Kavanaugh was confirmed to the US Supreme Court despite allegations of sexual assault when he was in high school. | Kavanaugh was confirmed to the US Supreme Court despite allegations of sexual assault when he was in high school. |
| One of the many accounts Donald Trump retweeted this morning changed its username to “Fuck Donald Trump” after getting shared by the president, the Daily Beast notes. | One of the many accounts Donald Trump retweeted this morning changed its username to “Fuck Donald Trump” after getting shared by the president, the Daily Beast notes. |
| Trump just retweeted a “supporter” who quickly changed its name to ‘Fuck Donald Trump’ https://t.co/9uOqAoGeG4 | Trump just retweeted a “supporter” who quickly changed its name to ‘Fuck Donald Trump’ https://t.co/9uOqAoGeG4 |
| The White House has rejected the House Oversight Committee’s request for documents about how it grants security clearances. | The White House has rejected the House Oversight Committee’s request for documents about how it grants security clearances. |
| CNN reports that the White House sent a nine-page letter refusing the request. | CNN reports that the White House sent a nine-page letter refusing the request. |
| “It is highly improper for the Committee to induce or encourage the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information in order to launch public political attacks on individuals as part of advancing a partisan political agenda,” wrote White House Counsel Pat Cipollone. “Harassing and seeking to punish political opponents based on their political beliefs is not a valid exercise of Congress’s investigative powers.” | “It is highly improper for the Committee to induce or encourage the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information in order to launch public political attacks on individuals as part of advancing a partisan political agenda,” wrote White House Counsel Pat Cipollone. “Harassing and seeking to punish political opponents based on their political beliefs is not a valid exercise of Congress’s investigative powers.” |
| The committee launched an investigation into the security clearances of officials including presidential daughter and son in law Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn who is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to federal crimes. | The committee launched an investigation into the security clearances of officials including presidential daughter and son in law Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn who is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to federal crimes. |
| Donald Trump has been very, very busy on Twitter this morning. | Donald Trump has been very, very busy on Twitter this morning. |
| Starting before 6am, Trump tweeted another attack on the fire fighters’ union for its endorsement of Joe Biden, and then retweeted more than 60 - yes, that’s over five dozen - messages dumping on the union and criticizing Biden. | Starting before 6am, Trump tweeted another attack on the fire fighters’ union for its endorsement of Joe Biden, and then retweeted more than 60 - yes, that’s over five dozen - messages dumping on the union and criticizing Biden. |
| I’ve done more for Firefighters than this dues sucking union will ever do, and I get paid ZERO! https://t.co/Tw0qwTiUD6 | I’ve done more for Firefighters than this dues sucking union will ever do, and I get paid ZERO! https://t.co/Tw0qwTiUD6 |
| After his retweet spree, the president went on to watch some morning TV and tweet along. | After his retweet spree, the president went on to watch some morning TV and tweet along. |
| “The Democrats can’t come to grips with the fact that there was No Collusion, there was No Conspiracy, there was No Obstruction. What we should be focused on is what’s been going on in our government, at the highest levels of the FBI....” Senator Josh Hawley | “The Democrats can’t come to grips with the fact that there was No Collusion, there was No Conspiracy, there was No Obstruction. What we should be focused on is what’s been going on in our government, at the highest levels of the FBI....” Senator Josh Hawley |
| Gallup Poll: 56% of Americans rate their financial situation as excellent or good. This is the highest number since 2002, and up 10 points since 2016. | Gallup Poll: 56% of Americans rate their financial situation as excellent or good. This is the highest number since 2002, and up 10 points since 2016. |
| “No President in history has endured such vicious personal attacks by political opponents. Still, the President’s record is unparalleled.” @LouDobbs | “No President in history has endured such vicious personal attacks by political opponents. Still, the President’s record is unparalleled.” @LouDobbs |
| Congress must change the Immigration Laws now, Dems won’t act. Wall is being built - 400 miles by end of next year. Mexico must stop the march to Border! @foxandfriends | Congress must change the Immigration Laws now, Dems won’t act. Wall is being built - 400 miles by end of next year. Mexico must stop the march to Border! @foxandfriends |
| Why didn’t President Obama do something about Russia in September (before November Election) when told by the FBI? He did NOTHING, and had no intention of doing anything! | Why didn’t President Obama do something about Russia in September (before November Election) when told by the FBI? He did NOTHING, and had no intention of doing anything! |
| Good morning. Attorney general William Barr is set to testify this morning before the Senate judiciary committee, a day after it was revealed that special counsel Robert Mueller sent him a letter objecting to Barr’s portrayal of Mueller’s report on the Russia investigation. | Good morning. Attorney general William Barr is set to testify this morning before the Senate judiciary committee, a day after it was revealed that special counsel Robert Mueller sent him a letter objecting to Barr’s portrayal of Mueller’s report on the Russia investigation. |
| Barr’s summary “did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance of this office’s work and conclusions”, Mueller wrote in the letter obtained by the Washington Post. “There is now public confusion about critical aspects of the results of our investigation. This threatens to undermine a central purpose for which the Department appointed the special counsel: to assure full public confidence in the outcome of the investigations.” | Barr’s summary “did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance of this office’s work and conclusions”, Mueller wrote in the letter obtained by the Washington Post. “There is now public confusion about critical aspects of the results of our investigation. This threatens to undermine a central purpose for which the Department appointed the special counsel: to assure full public confidence in the outcome of the investigations.” |
| Some Democrats are now calling for Barr’s removal. The hearing is set to kick off at 10am. Stay tuned. | Some Democrats are now calling for Barr’s removal. The hearing is set to kick off at 10am. Stay tuned. |