![]() ![]() Undermining the Special Counsel It is a fundamental tenet of the law, as Edward Coke put it almost 400 years ago, that “no man can be a judge in his own case.” All the more so when the man is president of the United States. These entries are labeled “Spying Claims.” Efforts to delegitimize the investigation of Russian interference, and baseless claims that the Trump campaign was subject to unlawful surveillance.These entries are labeled “Russia Investigation.” The special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. ![]() #General testifies about trumps efforts subvert seriesThe timeline also includes a number of isolated acts of misconduct that may not be part of a series of actions, but are nonetheless necessary to highlight given their implications for critical issues such as civil rights and civil liberties.įocused primarily on the four categories of misconduct discussed above, the timeline also tracks activities centered on five key areas and contexts in which many important interconnected events took place: In order to provide a more complete picture, it begins with a small set of relevant events prior to Barr’s appointment, and also tracks related developments, such as other officials’ responses to Barr’s actions the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report and other high-profile investigations indictments, convictions, and sentences and more. ![]() As Barr continues to oversee activities such as pending investigations that he has politicized, it is critical to examine the breadth of his misconduct thus far, and view any potentially improper actions he may take in the context of this pattern of wrongdoing.Ī few notes on format and content: The timeline does not exclusively track Barr’s misconduct. POGO has produced a timeline to provide a thorough look at the improper actions Barr has taken, their impact, and how they form an escalating pattern of undermining the Justice Department’s proper role in the executive branch. Below, subject matter experts explain the significance of each theme in greater detail. Namely, Barr has on numerous occasions interfered with impartial prosecutions, prioritized politics over justice, undermined the independent special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and hindered congressional oversight. These actions generally fall into four key categories of misconduct that are antithetical to the department’s responsibilities to the public and to the Constitution. Looking at Barr’s tenure since his February 2019 confirmation, we’ve identified a long string of actions that constitute serious misconduct, and may inflict lasting damage to the Justice Department. Barr has demonstrated a disregard for these values, putting personal and political priorities first and undermining the constitutional separation of powers-in short, he has acted in a manner unbefitting the powerful position of attorney general. Under Attorney General William Barr, the Justice Department has repeatedly strayed from its commitment to independence and the rule of law. Inherent in the department’s and the attorney general’s responsibilities is also to act in accordance with reasonable checks and balances. And although the attorney general is presidentially appointed and works within the executive branch, the Justice Department’s mandate is to treat the people of the United States, not the president, as its client. The attorney general, as the nation’s top law enforcement official, is entrusted with ensuring that the department acts with impartiality and independence to uphold the rule of law. The Department of Justice, led by the attorney general, has a unique role in our government. Updated November 30, 2020, to include additional items in the timeline ![]()
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