Former Attorney General Bill Barr has cast doubt on a key foundation of his former boss’ defense in the ongoing special counsel’s investigation into 2020 election interference. Speaking with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Barr asserted that Donald Trump was well aware of his election loss, a statement that directly contradicts Trump’s repeated claims.
Donald Trump Has More Problem
Barr, appearing on “The Source,” described Trump’s alleged actions as detailed in the indictment as “nauseating” and “despicable.” He went on to emphasize, “Someone who engaged in that kind of bullying about a process that is fundamental to our system, and to our self-government, shouldn’t be anywhere near the Oval Office.”
A pivotal aspect of the special counsel’s case revolves around the contention that Trump knowingly propagated false election claims despite being informed by multiple close aides that he had lost the election. Trump’s legal team has asserted that his statements were protected by the First Amendment. However, Barr, breaking his silence in his first interview since Trump’s third indictment, challenged this notion, stating that such a defense doesn’t hold ground.
“As the indictment says, they are not attacking his First Amendment right. He can say whatever he wants, he can even lie. He can even tell people that the election was stolen when he knew better,” Barr remarked. “But that does not protect you from entering into a conspiracy.”
Barr’s position on Trump’s awareness of his loss in the election is a significant shift. He remarked, “At first I wasn’t sure, but I have come to believe he knew well he had lost the election.”
Special Counsel Jack Smith recently brought four charges against Trump, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, as part of the ongoing investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election, culminating in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Appearing at the Washington, DC federal courthouse on Thursday he denied all charges.
Once a staunch ally of Trump during his tenure as attorney general, Barr diverged from the former president’s claims of election rigging when he stated in December 2020 that the Justice Department had not uncovered substantial evidence of widespread voter fraud. He resigned soon after and has since emerged as one of Trump’s notable critics.
In a departure from many Republicans who have criticized the special counsel’s investigations as politically motivated, Barr defended Smith in the interview. “He is the kind of prosecutor, in my view, that if he thinks someone has committed a crime, he, you know, homes in on it and really goes to try to make that case,” Barr asserted. “There’s no question he’s aggressive, but I do not think he’s a partisan actor.”
Barr also suggested that Smith likely possesses additional evidence to substantiate Trump’s awareness that the election was not stolen. “We’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg on this,” Barr said. “I think there is a lot more to come, and I think they have a lot more evidence as to President Trump’s state of mind.”
As for his own involvement, Barr did not confirm whether he had communicated with Smith’s team as part of the investigation. The former attorney general had previously spoken with the House select committee that investigated January 6 last year, characterizing Trump as “detached from reality” after the 2020 election.
While Trump navigates mounting legal challenges and strives to make a White House comeback, Barr’s perspective is unyielding. Despite asserting that his former boss should not be the Republican presidential nominee in 2024, Barr refused to eliminate the possibility of casting a vote for Trump if he becomes the nominee. “I will have to wait to see what the situation is, and I will pick my poison at that point,” Barr stated.
Who is Bill Barr?
Former Attorney General William Barr’s relationship with Donald Trump underwent a significant transformation. Initially seen as a Trump loyalist, Barr faced accusations of prioritizing Trump’s interests over the nation’s legal principles.
However, Barr’s stance evolved as he testified against Trump’s election fraud claims, calling them “********” and “crazy.” Barr’s testimony presented him as a critical witness in the investigation of the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
His blunt criticism of Trump’s behavior and his debunking of election fraud claims undermined the credibility of Trump’s narrative. Despite his loyalty to Trump in the past, Barr’s testimony marked him as a powerful adversary, illustrating the shifting dynamics within Trump’s circle.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
