Barr Mounts Dual Defense of Role in Mueller Probe and of Trump

In a contentious Senate Judiciary hearing, Barr deflected attacks by Democrats on his decision to oppose an urgent request by Mueller to publicly release summaries of the Russia investigation, and he repeatedly excused conduct by President Donald Trump that the special counsel said could constitute obstruction of justice. The attorney general’s robust defense of Trump prompted several Democrats to call him biased and demand his resignation. Barr is scheduled to appear again Thursday, this time before the Democratic-controlled House Judiciary panel, where he could face even tougher questioning.