Feinstein Statement on Barr Memo

Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued the following statement on William Barr’s memo against the Mueller investigation:

“Mr. Barr’s memo to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, which we received late last night, is very troubling. The drafting of this memo was not undertaken lightly. The memo presents a thoroughly crafted legal argument against investigating the president, with pointed conclusions that the president is above the law. The president is not above the law.

“This document was not written years ago—it was written six months ago. We need answers as to why Barr proactively drafted this memo and then shared it with the deputy attorney general and President Trump’s lawyers.

“There’s no reason for a lawyer in private practice to do this unless he was attempting to curry favor with President Trump and convey that he would protect the president.

“The Justice Department has been under relentless attack by this president and it needs a leader who is independent and able to defend the rule of law. The attorney general is charged with protecting the people, not the president.”

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