If you watched Attorney General Barr testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee, you already know he is done playing games with politicians.
When House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) tried to once again change the rules late in the game, Barr informed the committee he will NOT be showing up for Thursday’s hearing.
Torpedoing the Hearing
Barr has made it quite clear he will not take questions from staff members of Representatives.
This is, for the record, an unprecedented request to make of a sitting Attorney General.
It was a stipulation put in place by Nadler specifically to overturn the apple cart.
Nadler has refused to back off this stipulation, so Barr is refusing to testify.
Rep. Nadler stated, “He’s trying to blackmail the committee into not following the most effective means of eliciting the information we need.
“He is terrified of having to face a skilled attorney.”
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) responded to Nadler, stating, “It’s a shame members of the House Judiciary Committee won’t get the opportunity to hear from Attorney General Barr this Thursday, because Chairman Nadler chose to torpedo our hearing.
“The Attorney General gave clear, informative testimony in the Senate Wednesday, as he offered to do more than a month ago in the House tomorrow.
“By rejecting the chance to question Attorney General Barr or read the materials he’s provided, Democrats are trying to prolong an investigation the special counsel completed.
“Ultimately, though, they’re ignoring the will of the majority of Americans who want Congress to move on and secure our border and continue to strengthen our economy.”
Democrat Jubilation
It became quite clear this is exactly what Democrats were hoping would happen so they could once again villainize Barr.
Democrat Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) stated, “He can run but he can’t hide.”
He sounds like a child playing a game rather than someone that has been elected to one of the most respected and powerful positions in our government’s legislative branch.
Rep. Nadler also fired back, saying that Barr had some “nerve” to challenge him on this.
He also denies trying to torpedo the hearing.
Nadler is now threatening to hit Barr with a contempt citation.
He is also more than likely going to go forward with the hearing with an empty chair sitting in front of him for some added political theater.
The Department of Justice did not just let this sit.
Spokesperson Kerri Kupec stated, “Today, the Attorney General testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee for over five hours. The Attorney General also voluntarily released the Special Counsel’s confidential report with minimal redactions to Congress and the public, made an even-less redacted report available to Chairman Nadler and congressional leadership (which they have refused to review), and made himself available to the Committee by volunteering to testify this week. Unfortunately, even after the Attorney General volunteered to testify, Chairman Nadler placed conditions on the House Judiciary Committee hearing that are unprecedented and unnecessary.
“Congress and the Executive branch are co-equal branches of government, and each have a constitutional obligation to respect and accommodate one another’s legitimate interests. Chairman Nadler’s insistence on having staff question the Attorney General, a Senate-confirmed Cabinet member, is inappropriate.
“Further, in light of the fact that the majority of the House Judiciary Committee – including Chairman Nadler – are themselves attorneys, and the Chairman has the ability and authority to fashion the hearing in a way that allows for efficient and thorough questioning by the Members themselves, the Chairman’s request is also unnecessary.
“The Attorney General remains happy to engage directly with Members on their questions regarding the report and looks forward to continue working with the Committee on their oversight requests.”
When word of this got back to the House, the usual whining ensued, as did the calls for Barr to resign.
Barr, however, is not wavering and he has given no one so much as a hint that he plans on giving into Democrats or that he will resign, as they are requesting.
While he is infuriating Democrats and liberals, Republicans in office are defending Barr and conservatives are collectively giving him a standing ovation around the country.
Source: Fox News
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