Barr wants us to see this scandal through Trump’s perspective, and tries very hard to spin it that way. I’ve chosen the most egregious paragraph to dissect.
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. Yet, as he said from the beginning, there was in fact no collusion. And as the Special Counsel’s report acknowledges, there is substantial evidence to show that the President was frustrated and angered by a sincere belief that the investigation was undermining his presidency, propelled by his political opponents, and fueled by illegal leaks. Nonetheless, the White House fully cooperated with the Special Counsel’s investigation, providing unfettered access to campaign and White House documents, directing senior aides to testify freely, and asserting no privilege claims. And at the same time, the President took no act that in fact deprived the Special Counsel of the documents and witnesses necessary to complete his investigation. Apart from whether the acts were obstructive, this evidence of non-corrupt motives weighs heavily against any allegation that the President had a corrupt intent to obstruct the investigation.
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“President Trump faced an unprecedented situation.”
Poor baby!
”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.”
Oh the unfairness! Presidential harassment!
“At the same time, there was relentless speculation in the news media about the President’s personal culpability. “
Now Barr attacks the media as if that’s part of an AG’s job?
“Yet, as he said from the beginning, there was in fact no collusion.”
At least not rising to the level of showing criminal intent. Despite the fact thet Trump publicly applauded Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, and repeatedly lied about his campaign’s contacts with the Russians.
“And as the Special Counsel’s report acknowledges, there is substantial evidence to show that the President was frustrated and angered by a sincere belief that the investigation was undermining his presidency, propelled by his political opponents, and fueled by illegal leaks.”
Boor Baby! More presidential abuse! Barr throws in a Breitbart worthy conspiracy of political opponents and nefarious leakers out to get this president.
“Nonetheless, the White House fully cooperated with the Special Counsel’s investigation, providing unfettered access to campaign and White House documents, directing senior aides to testify freely, and asserting no privilege claims. “
Never mind that Trump tried to have Mueller fired.
“And at the same time, the President took no act that in fact deprived the Special Counsel of the documents and witnesses necessary to complete his investigation.”
Never mind that Trump refused to testify in person.
This press conference showed Barr isn’t America’s Attorney General, but on the contrary Barr is acting only as Trump’s Personal Lawyer.
In an ideal world Barr would be removed from office as unfit, but the Republican Party routinely puts party before country.
Donald Trump has found his Roy Cohn in Bill Barr.