Analysis: William Barr just did exactly what his critics feared — again
By Aaron Blake Aaron Blake Senior political reporter, writing for The Fix Email Bio Follow April 18 at 10:35 AM When Attorney General William P. Barr announced he was going to hold a news conference before the release of the Mueller report Thursday, there was instant pushback.
In assessing the President’s actions discussed in the report, it is important to bear in mind the context. President Trump faced an unprecedented situation. As he entered into office, and sought to perform his responsibilities as President, federal agents and prosecutors were scrutinizing his conduct before and after taking office, and the conduct of some of his associates. At the same time, there was relentless speculation in the news media about the President’s personal culpability.
But even then, why offer this kind of preemptive defense of Trump’s motives? And why focus on all the ways in which Trump was absolved of culpability? Why take a shot at the media’s “relentless speculation?” As more than a few people have noted, it’s the kind of statement you’d expect from a Trump defense attorney rather than the attorney general.
The second problematic part is when Barr says that “the White House fully cooperated with the Special Counsel’s investigation.” There is evidence of extensive cooperation by the White House in fulfilling documents requests, providing staff for interviews, etc. But we also know that Mueller wanted to interview Trump and that the White House fought it for months. Eventually, the White House issued written responses.
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