Federal Law Enforcement
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the Attorney General’s CBS Interview
Jack Goldsmith Sun, Jun 2, 2019, 1:05 PM
A depressing reflection on the state of norms and institutions.
Latest in Bill Barr
Federal Law Enforcement
Reflections on the President’s Delegation of Declassification Authority to the Attorney General
David Kris, Benjamin Wittes Tue, May 28, 2019, 11:40 AM
President Trump has conferred on Attorney General Bill Barr an unprecedented power over the intelligence community. The delegation will only increase public mistrust toward the Justice Department.
Federal Law Enforcement
Defending Mueller’s Constitutional Analysis on Obstruction and Faithful Execution
Andrew Kent, Justin Florence, Ben Berwick Mon, May 20, 2019, 1:55 PM
The special counsel’s take on whether obstruction of justice can apply to presidential actions facially within Article II authority is consistent with the text, history, structure and principles of the Constitution, as well as the Supreme Court’s case law on the subject.
Federal Law Enforcement
Bill Barr’s Actions on the Mueller Report: A Response to Jack Goldsmith
Robert Litt Tue, May 7, 2019, 5:04 PM
While certain aspects of Attorney General Bill Barr’s behavior could be defensible if they stood alone, taken as a whole his course of conduct shows that Barr is defending not merely the presidency, but this particular president.
Documents
Document: Draft Congressional Contempt Citation for Attorney General Barr
Mikhaila Fogel Mon, May 6, 2019, 1:43 PM
The House Judiciary Committee will consider a contempt citation against Attorney General Bill Barr on Wednesday, May 8. The citation involves Barr's failure to comply with the committee's subpoena for an unredacted version of the Mueller report and underlying evidence. The full draft citation resolution is available here and below.
The Russia Connection
Thoughts on Barr and the Mueller Report
Jack Goldsmith Sat, May 4, 2019, 2:50 PM
Sometimes Justice Department independence means standing up to the president. And sometimes it means taking unpopular positions in defense of the presidency.
Congress
Is There a Perjury Case Against Barr?
Mikhaila Fogel, Quinta Jurecic Thu, May 2, 2019, 7:56 PM
The legal standard for perjury is a high one, and it’s highly unlikely that the attorney general’s comments clear that bar.
Documents
Document: White House Letter to Barr About Mueller Report
Mikhaila Fogel Thu, May 2, 2019, 3:08 PM
On April 19, Emmet Flood, special counsel to the president, sent a letter to Attorney General Bill Barr expressing concerns about the Mueller report. Flood argues that the report, particularly regarding obstruction of justice, "fails to comply with the requirements of governing law." The letter is available here and below.
The Russia Connection
Livestream: Attorney General Barr Testifies Before Senate Judiciary Committee
Mikhaila Fogel Wed, May 1, 2019, 9:35 AM
Attorney General William Barr will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at a hearing regarding the Justice Department's investigation into election interference in the 2016 election.
His prepared testimony is available here.
Watch the testimony below (via the Washington Post).
Donald Trump
Some Questions for Attorney General Barr
Paul Rosenzweig Sat, Apr 20, 2019, 6:52 PM
When he was first appointed, many, including me, were willing to give Attorney General Barr the benefit of the doubt. His recent performance raises significant questions about his fidelity to the rule of law.