Barr trying to stay out of jail

Trump inserted Barr into the latest political firestorm, one that has led to a House impeachment inquiry, when he asked Zelenskiy to dig up dirt on Democratic presidential candidate Biden, and indicated Barr and Trump confidant Rudy Giuliani would be in touch.

[...]

[E]ven as one of the president’s greatest defenders, Barr has sought to distance himself from Trump’s conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The Justice Department insists he was unaware the president had said he would help investigate a political rival.

  AP

There's a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.

Just for the sake of argument, say he didn't know. What does he expect from the slime of a president he's thrown in his lot with by helping him avoid justice? No sympathy here.

In the call, Trump seemingly equates Barr with Giuliani, who has no role in the administration and, in rambling television appearances, is one of Trump’s most vocal defenders.

Exactly. Trump believes Barr IS on a par with Giuliani. Why does he believe that, Bill?

Barr uncomplainingly carries out the president’s agenda. Not only did Barr provide the first, favorable framing for the Mueller report, but he also appointed a U.S. attorney to investigate the origins of the probe. That investigation, which Barr is overseeing himself, is looking into whether there was wrongdoing committed by those who launched the investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Under Barr, the Justice Department has supported the White House’s decision to claim broad executive privilege to prevent the testimony of administration officials that could be potentially damaging for Trump. Barr has also defied subpoenas from Congress — in line with the Trump administration’s stance to block Democrats’ efforts to investigate Trump.

Justice Department lawyers also are deciding whether to join Trump’s personal lawyers to fight a New York grand jury subpoena seeking Trump’s tax returns.

[...]

[A]s the heads of the Justice Department, attorneys general are expected to be above politics and not let political considerations guide their actions.

And he failed big on that one.

In a statement, the Justice Department sought to distance Barr from the situation, insisting that the attorney general was unaware the president offered him up to investigate one of the president’s political rivals.

Bill Barr IS the Justice Department.

“The President has not spoken with the Attorney General about having Ukraine investigate anything relating to former Vice President Biden or his son. The President has not asked the Attorney General to contact Ukraine - on this or any other matter. The Attorney General has not communicated with Ukraine - on this or any other subject. Nor has the Attorney General discussed this matter, or anything relating to Ukraine, with Rudy Giuliani,” Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said in the statement.

Bullshit. Trump told Zelensky he was putting him in touch with Barr. He didn't tell Barr?

The attorney general was generally aware of the whistleblower complaint after it was submitted to the Justice Department, weeks after the call, a person familiar with the matter said. But Barr was not involved in any of the legal analysis and did not make the decision that the president’s actions did not amount to a crime.

The decision was made by Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski, who runs the department’s criminal division, in consultation with Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, the person said.

And they didn't consult Barr, knowing Barr was named in the phone call?

Both are Trump appointees and Benczkowski also worked on Trump’s transition team. Barr and Benczkowski also worked at the same Washington law firm before joining the administration.

And they didn't talk about it?

There's a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.

After a House panel voted to hold him in contempt, Barr baited House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at an event on Capitol Hill in May, asking her if she brought her handcuffs to arrest him.

Ask her in a couple of months, Bill.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.