NBC News reports on some Attorney General Barr’s testimony to Congress:
Attorney General William Barr, defending his decision to order a review of the Trump-Russia probe’s origins, told a Senate panel Wednesday that he thinks “spying did occur” by the U.S. government on President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign.
“For the same reason we’re worried about foreign influence in elections … I think spying on a political campaign — it’s a big deal, it’s a big deal,” Barr said in response to a question from Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., the ranking member on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee, who had asked why he is looking into the origins of the investigation.
Shaheen then asked, “You’re not suggesting that spying occurred?”
Barr paused for several seconds and replied, “I think spying did occur,” though he didn’t elaborate.
Keeping in mind that it’s a crime to lie to Congress, I think it’s a shame none of the Senators thought to ask Barr a simple but pointed question:
Did President Trump, or any of his subordinates, instruct you to mention spying during this or any other public hearing?
Sure, Barr may have something, and, if so, I’d love to see that evidence. But right now, all signs point to politics. It’d be good to dump a threat right in Barr’s lap – no playing politics, or you could end up doing Federal time.
