WASHINGTON — William Barr was the attorney general in the second half Trump’s administration. He claims that former President Donald Trump had considered dropping him before he was confirmed.
Barr offers a harsh critique of Trump’s former boss in his book “One Damn Thing After Another.” He describes Trump’s relationship as much more volatile than it appears from the outside.
Barr said at his Senate confirmation hearing that it was impossible for him to interfere with Robert Mueller’s investigation into the Trump campaign. He also praised Mueller’s distinguished record of public service.
Barr claims that during a break in the hearing, Barr said that an aide reported to him that the president was angry at him for being “too kind” about Mueller. Barr was contemplating withdrawing his nomination.
Barr was asked by Lester Holt of NBC News, “Was that a little introduction to what it might feel like to work for Donald Trump?”
He replied: “Yeah. I was open to the possibility. I wasn’t going in to make best friends with President Trump.
They parted as friends. Barr writes in the book that Trump’s possibility of running for the presidency again “was disconcerting to me,” and that the former president’s efforts post-election to rid the Republican Party from those he didn’t consider loyal were also disappointing.
Barr wrote that Trump should be considered an arbiter for ideological purity. He is a man whose political allegiances have fluctuated randomly over the past decades. He doesn’t care about ideology or political principle. His motivation is revenge and it is completely personal.”
Barr claims that Trump’s relationship began to decline after the attorney general refused to bring criminal charges against James Comey, former FBI Director.
Trump also found it frustrating that John Durham, the federal prosecutor, was slow in reviewing the FBI’s investigation into allegations that Trump campaign had received assistance from Russia. Trump became increasingly frustrated that Durham’s investigation did not lead to any developments prior to the 2020 election.
Barr calls Trump’s famous phone call to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, a “harebrained plan” — though it is not illegal. It was a foolish idea to think that Ukrainian officials would investigate Hunter Biden in order to aid Trump’s reelection campaign. Barr also blames Rudy Giuliani who he calls “the man who helped President Trump get impeached not once, but twice.”
Barr refused to back Trump’s claim of election fraud after the election. Barr suggests that there may have been fraud. He also said that every election has irregularities, but not enough to alter the results.
Barr explains in one of the most dramatic sections of the book what happened after he decided that he would go public on Dec. 1, 2020. He concludes his explanation about the election by telling Mike Balsamo, Associated Press reporter, that “to date, there has not been fraud that could have effected a differing outcome in the election.”
Barr was summoned to the Oval Office dining room and explained why he made that statement. He also repeatedly stated that all the theories of election fraud were not supported by facts. Barr stated, “I understand that you are frustrated with me, President,” and he was ready to submit his resignation.
Barr claims Trump said that he slammed his hands on the table and then added: “Accepted!” Accepted!”
Barr was driven away by Barr’s SUV government after the stormy meeting when White House counsel Pat Cipollone banged on the windows of the car, telling Trump that he had changed his mind. Barr claims that Cipollone is not fired.
Trump has refuted that account and insists that he demanded Barr’s resignation, not Barr’s resignation.
Barr submitted his formal resignation letter two weeks later.
Barr claims Trump was surrounded by “an ever-hovering circle outside advisers — experts telling him what to hear,” who gave him a steady diet on sensational fraud allegations. Barr calls the Giuliani legal team “whack jobs”, and claims that Trump became erratic and unreasonable after the election.
Barr writes that Barr took his stolen election claim to absurd lengths, which led to the rioting at Capitol Hill. However, he states in the book these statements do not meet the legal definition for incitement.
Part autobiography, the book is due to be released Tuesday. Barr discusses his childhood in New York and his journey in law. He also explains why he returned to the Justice Department to become the second attorney general to hold that office twice in American history.
Barr was widely criticised for intervening in criminal proceedings in a way seen as favorable by the White House, moving to dismiss charges against Michael Flynn and recommending that Roger Stone be sentenced to a lower sentence than federal prosecutors.
He claims that his actions were in line with Justice Department standards for criminal cases.
Holt asked Barr in an NBC News interview if there was anything Trump could do for his support. Barr replied: “No.” He is not the right person.”
It seems that the feeling is mutual. When asked by NBC News about his reaction to the book, Trump said that Bill Barr cares more for being accepted by corrupt Washington media elites than it is serving the American people. I noticed that he was slow and lethargic. He never had the ability to be a great attorney general.
