'We Cannot Stand for This Deception': Democrats Demand Probe Into Barr Amid News of Mueller Criticism

Amid news that Special Counsel Robert Mueller objected to how Attorney General William Barr presented the findings of the Russia probe, Democrats on Tuesday demanded an immediate investigation into Barr’s “possible effort to mislead the public.”

“This was a giant cover up and we cannot stand for this deception”
—Rep. Pramila Jayapal

As the Washington Post reported, Mueller sent a letter to Barr in March expressing concern that the Attorney General’s widely criticized four-page memo about the investigation into President Donald Trump “did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance” of the findings.

“There is now public confusion about critical aspects of the results of our investigation,” Mueller wrote. “This threatens to undermine a central purpose for which the Department appointed the Special Counsel: to assure full public confidence in the outcome of the investigations.”

News of Mueller’s letter came just hours ahead of Barr’s scheduled testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

“No wonder he’s scared to answer questions,” tweeted Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), apparently referring to Barr’s threat to cancel his planned appearance before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii)—who led a dozen Senate Democrats in calling for an investigation into Barr’s conduct just before details of Mueller’s letter emerged Tuesday—said the Special Counsel’s concerns strongly confirmed the need for a probe.