White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said Tuesday the “disrespect” being shown toward Attorney General William Barr by congressional Democrats is “disgraceful.”
When asked if Mr. Barr would show up at his requested appearance Thursday before the House Judiciary Committee to testify about special counsel Robert Mueller’s report, Ms. Conway said, “we’ll leave that to him.”
“He’s certainly testifying to the Senate, so it’s not like he’s afraid to answer questions under oath. But the harassment of Bill Barr, and the disrespect, is completely disgraceful to this man who spent his career in public service and in private law practice,” Ms. Conway said in an interview with Fox News Network’s “America’s Newsroom” show.
“No less of a soul than Joe Biden voted for Bill Barr’s confirmation for attorney general the first time around. And I think people are mad at Bob Mueller and his investigators for not getting the president in an interview, for shutting down the investigation before those who felt they should produce the goods got it. So they’re taking this out on Bill Barr,” she added.
The Justice Department said Sunday Mr. Barr may skip attending Thursday’s hearing if committee lawyers would question the attorney general, insisting only lawmakers “should be the ones doing the questioning. He remains happy to engage with members on their questions regarding the Mueller report.”
The Justice Department released a redacted version of Mr. Mueller’s report earlier this month, with the special counsel unable to prove Mr. Trump’s team conspired with Russia to win the 2016 election. It reached no conclusion as to whether the president attempted to obstruct the investigation.
• Bailey Vogt can be reached at bvogt@washingtontimes.com.
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