Former Attorney General Bill Barr’s record leading the U.S. Justice Department is coming into clearer light as Merrick Garland takes the reins of the agency, and new revelations are bringing the much-maligned Trump acolyte under new scrutiny. It’s now clear that under his watch, DOJ obtained the communication records of multiple journalists, a disturbing use of government power that is supposed to face stringent restrictions. Some argue it should never happen at all. The news was revealed when the new administration contacted the journalists to inform them of what happened.
And the public has also learned that Barr’s DOJ sought to force Twitter to unmask an anonymous account critical of California Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, a close Trump ally. Shortly after Garland was sworn in as attorney general, DOJ dropped the subpoena against Twitter.
So how is the former attorney general reacting to the new administration airing his dirty laundry? From all appearances, it looks like he’s trying to launder his reputation by anonymously giving Trump administration scoops to reporters. Continue reading.