Start that again. On july 22, you join the president as he announced they expansion of operation legend to combat crime in cotton kansas city with approximate 61 million in d. O. J. Grants paradigm confused however as to the purpose of logic operation legend at this time for december of last year you announce the department would divert over 70 million in grant of u. S. Cities under initiative called operation pursuit correct . Select thats correct. Somatic operation pursuit targeted a familiar list of cities likear albuquerque, kansas city. Ue correct . So at the same july 22 press conference, you initially claimed that over 200 arrests had been made under operation legend, correct . So correct. But you misspoke. So correct. So therr u. S. Attorneys office later confirmed only a single arrests had been made under operation legend, correct . So i dont know. And the 199 other arrests were made under relentless pursuit or other programs. That was correct. I do think you can be forgiven for being confused, operation legend seems toor be a repackaging of existing operation in the cities. So why all the drama . Why join the president and white house to have a bold new operation that appears to be neither bold nor new. Understandably americans a very suspicious of your motives here. There are those who believe youre sending federal Law Enforcement into the cities not to combat Violent Crime, but to help with the president s reelection efforts. The president has made clear he once conked during between protesters and police to the central theme of thisra Campaign Part so let me ask you directly, mr. Barr. Yes or no, yes or no, did you rebrand existing under legend in order to assist the president in an Election Year . I wouldnt call it so mr. Attorney general would you agree with me at least on principle that it is improper for the department of justice to divert resources and lawnd enforcement personnel in an effort to assist the president s Reelection Campaign . No, mr. Chairman in the fall we did inaugurate an anticrime initiative because we were concerned about increasing Violent Crime in a number of i cities. And we call that relentless pursuit. Unfortunately culvert ovintervened and our agents who were detailed for these assignments could not perform the operation traits of the operation was squelched by covid. So we could not complete or make much progress on relentless pursuit. However in the intervening time, we saw Violent Crime continuing to rise and a lot of that was triggered by the events after the death of george floyd. So we did reboot the program after covid started breaking and we could commit the Law Enforcement resources to actually accomplish the mission which is to reduce Violent Crime. Now i regret covid interrupted our Law Enforcement activities. But there are serious violent cities. N the these Police Departments and mayors have been asking us for help. I only have put in additional federal agents and investigators to help deal with it. Now yes or no, have you discussed the president s Reelection Campaign with the president or any white house officials . B im not going to get into my discussions with the president writes that iis can view discuss that yesterday . So not a relation to this program. I didnt ask that i asked if you discuss that. Im a member of the cabinet there is an election coming up obviously the topic would come out. Itth comes up in cabinet meetings and other things. It should not be as surprised the topic of the election. So i didnt say was a surprise i just asked if you done that. So as part of those conversations with the president or his people about the reelection i campaign, have you ever discuss the current and future deployment of federal lawaw enforcement . In connection withnn what . In connection with what you just said brain connection with the discussions with the president of other peoplee around him of his Reelection Campaign, have you discussed the current or future deployment of federal Law Enforcement . So as i said im not going to get into my discussions with the president. I made it clear i would like to pick thes cities based on Law Enforcement neat and neutral criteria. An smacked you cant tell me whetherou you discussed so i am not going to discuss what discuss with the present placement can you commit today that they will not use that as a prop to the president s campaign . So i want to go with this thought you really cant hidern behind legal fictions this time mr. Barr. Lets all out in the open. Where the people can see what you are doing for themselves. The president wants footage for his campaign ads. And you appear to be serving it up to him as ordered. Most of these cities the protest have begun to wind down before you marched ending confronted the protesters. Many protesters are mothers, veterans, mayors in this moment real leadership would have deescalation, collaboration and looking for ways to peacefully resolve our differences. T instead, use pepper spray on american citizens you did here in washington, you did it in Lafayette Square, you expanded to portland, and now youre projecting fear and violence nationwide. In pursuit of obvious political objectives. Shame on you mr. Barr. Shame on you. Can i just so shame on you my time is expired. For what purposes mr. Jordan seat recognition . My time has expired what purpose mr. Johnsons recognition . So question for the witness and i will yield the floor to him to respond. So mr. Chairman you conflated two Different Things for the effort legend is to deal with a Violent Crime, crime thats being committed on the streets in the city. Again predatory violence like murder, shootings which are soaring in some cities right no now. That does not involve encountering protesters, she referred to it. Civil disturbance is a different set of issues. And i just rejects the of the department is flooded anywhere and attempted to suppress demonstrators. We make a clear distinction between demonstrators. So im answering. The fact of the matter is, if you take portland, the courthouse is under attack. The federal resources are inside the perimeter around the courthousee defending it almost two months of daily attacks were people marched to the court try to gain entrance and set fires, thrown things, used explosives. When they injured Police Including just this past weekend perhaps permanently blinding three federal officers with lasers. Wewe are on the defense we are not out looking for trouble. And if the state and the city would provide Law Enforcement services that other jurisdictions do we would have no need to have additional marshals. On behalf of hundreds of millions of americans, thank you for that clarification and thank you for being here. And thank you for your Service Today and your willingness to do this in very challenging times. Mr. Attorney general we are very appreciative we are very appreciative its not an easy job i partially setting your Opening Statement which is what you said your confirmation hearing the attorney general has unique obligation he holds in trust the fair and Impartial Administration of justice. We appreciate that so much. The democrats have asserted here this morning they continue to say in the media that under your leadership the Justice Department has become highly politicized. Why is that a totally unfoundedy . Allegation . Actually what ive been trying to do is restore the rule of law. The rule of law is in essence that we have one rule for everybody. If you apply one rule to aid the rule applies to be. And i felt we did not have that previously at the department. We had strayed. And i would just ask people, i am supposedly punishing the president s enemies and helping his friends. What enemies have i indicted . Could you point to one indictment that has been under the department that you feel is unmerited . That you feel violates the rule of law . One indictment. Now you say i help the president s friends. The cases that are cited, the stone case and the flynn case are both cases where i i determined that some intervention was necessary to rectify the rule of law. To make sure people are treated the same. Stone is prosecuted underon me. I said all along i thought that was a righteous prosecution for it i he should go to jail. And i thought the judges sentence was correct. But the lined prosecutors were a trying to advocate for a sentence that was more than twice anyone else in a similar position it ever served. This is a 67yearold man firsttime offender, no violence and they were trying to put them in jail for seven to nine years. I was not going to advocate that because that is not the rule of law. I agree the president s friends do not deserve special breaks. But they also dont deserve to be treated more harshly than other n people. Sometimes thats a difficult decision to make especially when you know youre going to be castigated for. Thats that the rule ofwh law is thats the fairness that viultimately comes to being willing to do what is fair to the individual. Amen and thank you to that. And by contrast with the previous d. O. J. Did under the Previous Administration was politicized Law Enforcement. Theo biden they unmask members of the Trump Campaign that employed aggressive tactics on their campaign officials, senior fbi officials, we all know in this committee carried over from the obama administration, carried on their abuses into the Trump Administration into the whole impeachment scam and all the rest. Let me ask you just one question because my time is running out. President obamas attorney general famously referred to himself as president obamas wingmen for it he said in the interview quote i am still enjoying what im doing there still work to be done. I am s still the president s wingmen so im there with my boy, thats what he says famously. Is it the duty of the attorney general to be the president sen wingmen . So no authority describe what i think the duty of the attorney general is. So and in your office you are able to act free and independently of the president. Is that true . So especially on criminal cases its required. So thats exactly what hee asked you to do iscr that right . Magnets my time i yield back freight. Your time is expired. Ms. Lofgren. Thank you, mr. Chairman. It is obvious what im hearing from the w video played with the remarks its clear that the president s playbook is to divert attention from his catastrophic failure in dealing with theas covid19 operation. In canada, our neighbor to the north come in europe, the violence has been reduced to such a level that people can safely go out and not worry about being infected. But here in the unitedd states, millions of americans have been infected, tens of thousands are dying and the president needs suit dessert divert from that failure. The playbook is to create thehe impression that there is a violence, that he must send and federal troops on the American People should be afraid of other americans and trustee president because he sending troops to American Cities and thats how he looks to win the election. Its one thing to fight crime. That involves the cooperation ofd state and local officials. But the governor of oregon and the mayor of portland have asked that the federal troops leave because the reactions have actually been in reverse proportion. People are showing up because the troops are there. And i would like to say that so many of them i would say most of them are not violence. Weve all heard about the wall of moms who show up make sure that people are safe. Heres what they say. They said they had been teargas night after night that they have been shot at with beanbags, pepper spray, so this brutality has created evenen more devastation. I just want to ask you this when theyve given to the executive order they indicated your department shouldd prioritize the investigation. Has your department started an investigation to the executive order customer so which executive order congresswoman . So the executive order that asks for the deployment of troops to protect the monuments in the federal facilities . So yes. So i would not cite troops, but we have initiated investigations, yes. We have made arrests. There been people who have been rioting taking down. Theyve been taking on statues. But i think here ms ms. Characterization of portland is completely false. So i would like to get into that but i would like to ask you a question about surveillance if i may. Those simulators called stingrays are boxes are being used to collect phone call locations and even the context of phone calls those are being used. [inaudible] there is bold collection of internet browsing what specific authority is the department using for its surveillance tools . I really cant speak to those instances if they in fact occurred. Im g glad to go into right to determine what youre talking about. Ng im asking about authority not the details. Think most of our cyber activities are conducted by the fbi under Law Enforcement powers to detect and prevent crime. Federal crime. I think the American Public should know that this surveillance technique is about the people in front of the courthouse. When a husband or wife call each other and what of the spouses has a cell phone within range of one of these technologies not only is the location that couples conversation can be mute cotton because of this knowledg knowledge. This isnt about the demonstrator this is the privacy theory of ordinary citizens is all being violated the president s political purposes of creating scenes, creating reasons to divert attention from the covid failure. I think it is very unfortunate and disservice to the American People. My time has expired. The lady yields back. Point of order. Could you ask those members who choose not to come to work to silence their cell phones on the video . Its distracting to what were here today. That is not a point of order. Iot now recognize mr. Cabot. Would it be accurate to say that this administrations responsibility and of course you are part of the administration, to see that federal laws are upheld and that the federal property is secure and safe and protected, is that correct . Smith that is right congressman their assorted distinct emissions. One mission is to enforce federal law. And by the way, the federal government is the sovereign of the United States. We have two sovereigns here in the United States. We enforce the federal law all over the country. Everyy square foot of the country we enforce federal law. The others protecting federal property. Specifically u. S. Courthouses which are the heart of federal property in all 93 jurisdictions in the United States. We have the obligation to protect federal courts in the u. S. Marshals specifically have been given that obligation. Federal courts are under attack. Since when is it okay to try to burn down a federal court . If someone went down the street to the court hear that beautiful courthouse we have at the bottom ofve the hill i started breaking windows and firing industrial grade fireworks into start a fire, throw kerosene balloons and start fires in the court, is that okay . Is that okay now . No. The u. S. Marshals have a duty toow stop that and defend the courthouse. That is what we are doing in portland. We are at the courthouse defending the courthouse. We are not out looking for trouble. Thank you gentlemen. As far as weapons and devices that were utilized by the groupan of people you mentioned trying to destroy the courthouse. They were literally trying to burn it down. And apparently did not give a hoot about the people who were occupied in the building as well. So people were in danger. So that is absolutely right. s was far as the weapons you mention, let me get this straight, my understanding is that people attackingpl the building had among other things rifles, explosives, knives, saws, sledgehammers, tasers, slingshots, rocks, bricks, lasers, having missed anything or is that about cover . Is so you have missed some things but thats a good list. They have these powerful slingshots with ball bearings they shoot. They have used pellet guns we believe we have found those projectiles that have penetrated marshals to the bone. And they use the lasers to blind the marshals. They do start fires, they start fires that they can get inside or through the windows and they start fires along the outside of the courthouse. When the marshals come out to try to deal with the fire they are assaulted. General if the elected officials, mayors and City Councils and governors did their jobs and kept the peace, wouldnt even be necessary for federal Law Enforcement personnel to be there in the first place . So no and thats exactly the point. Look around the country even where the these are kinds of riots occurring, we havent had to put in the kind of reinforcements that we have in portland because the state and local Law Enforcement does their job. They wont allow rioters to come and physically assault the courthouse. In portland that is not the case. General, some have referred to these Law Enforcement personnel as Storm Troopers and worse. Does not accurately describe them . Li would you like to set the record straight . So there obviously not Storm Troopers. Normally there be a group of deputy marshals that would be in business suits, ties or regular civilian dress. Those of you the deputy marshals as the protective for the court. But after almost a month of rioting in portland, we sense and i think it was around the fourth ofou july timeframe we sent in about 20 special operations marshals. And those are tactical teams that are padded and protected so they can deal this kind of thing. Ng up until last week i was told we had our Storm Trooper from the department of justice was 29 marshals in the courthouse, 29 marshals. Until recently it increase in think they were 95 i was told, 95 dhs federal protective service and other dhs officers trying to protect the courthouse and three other buildings. Thats what were trying to do protective federal functions and federal buildings which are very small part of the city. But the rioters go at them and we have gradually increased our numbers too try to protect those facilities. If the state would come in and keep peace on the streets in front of thee, courthouse, we would not need additional people at the courthouse. Thank you general my time is expired. So the gentleman time is expired mr. Jackson labored so mr. Term before beginning like to submit a picture of that list in chart chair shot at portlands in protest. With unanimous consent. To set into the record. Said 1963s said we are tired of being beat by police or being tired being put in jail part we want our freedom now. Mr. Attorney general your remarks you indicated that we have made great progress since that time. And you indicated that the killing of george floyd was shocking. I disagree. It was outright and rdcoldblooded murder on the streets of america. Unfortunately by police misconduct. You seem to have a difficult time understandingng systemic racism and institutional racism that has plagued so many. Mr. Attorney general do you understand a black mothers or parents talk their child, to their son do not that is . So i think i do. I dont know if you do. But trave on martin, tamir rice, michael brown, shawn bell and george floyd, black mothers and fathers of had to talk to their sons about Police Violence. I take no backseat to the history of this committee that has stood for good policing not misconduct. And so i ask you this question dezie trump Justice Department seek to end systemic racism and racism in Law Enforcement adjusting to yes or no answer. To the extent there is racism in any of our institutions in this country in the police then obviously this administration will fully enforce a price makes you agree there may be systemic racism . So and where . Let me continue my line of questioning percy mckay dont agree there is systemic racism and the Police Department generally in this country price mike i am reclaiming my time. Specifically do understand the violent impact of racial profiling and you support the end racial profiling and racialpo and religious profiling in the george floyd bill including the removal of the strict interpretation qualified immunity which would leave individuals like Breonna Taylor and george floyd without any relief at all . I am opposed to a limited and qualified immunity and i do not agree it would leave the victims of police misconduct. So let me share with you so without any remedy price back im reclaiming my time for let me share with you some aspects of profiling after the death of george floyd found flat while black people make up 19 in minneapolis population they are on the receiving end 58 of the police use of force incidents. Inin addition, we have seen that black men are twice as likely to be stopped and searched. Hispanic drivers 65 receive a ticket. A native americans in arizona three timesca more likely to search and be stopped. Let me ask you the questions of how we respond to that. The Justice Department is many tools at his disposal to reduce police and violence with practice to end bad policing and Police Violence. It addresses Police Violence and institutional lever rather than acute cases. If you understand that then why is your department only pursued one practice investigation since President Trump took office that could stop systemica. Racism . If you read my statement or listen to my statement, i did specifically acknowledge that there was a difficulty in this country with the africanamerican. Mr. Attorney general i have a short time can you tell me why you cannot but was the reason . So and you asked me what i thought the response was. Thought the response to this is in fact training of police, and i think the Police Believe that is a. Response but i was talking to a black police chief smacked mr. Attorney general want to respect you but i have a short time. You, for example 18 section 242 which makes unlawful the denial of rights under the color of law can you defend affecting the first seven months of fy 2020 federal prosecutors found only 242 charges in just 27 cases on the trump d. O. J. And were you aware that it fy 2019 federal prosecutors to section two charges in just 49 cases in theug United States and are you aware of how many cases we have had . Which means that in fy 2019 only about 27 out of every 1000 prosecutions was related to section 242 charges. You have a reason for that . So yes, i do i will get you the numbers on i dont know the most off the top of my head action or criminal prosecutions under 241 and 242 are extremely strong. And are comparable to the not exceed prior administrations. At the beginning of this year most of the jurisdiction had grand juries that were open. No grand jury spirits mecca think the reason is i was really skinny is not your focus the focus was to let out friends like roger stone and paul manford while tamir rice whose cases not been taken up was playing with a toy gun was killed by police at the age of 12, Breonna Taylor sleeping in her apartment she was killed by police at age 26 and bashar brooks, 27 was killed just for sleeping in his car in a wendys parking lot. And george floyd from Houston Texas known as a humble man was murdered in the streets of minneapolis crying i cant breathe. I would hope that d. O. J. Would focus on systemic institutional racism because there is policing thats were trying to do in the Judiciary Committee met that we need you to join us on mr. Attorney general and to recognize institutional racism does exist in until we accept that we will not finish out our jobs and reach the goals and aspirations of our late psychotic john lewis and without ale back. Jena mind yields back. Mr. Gomez. Attorney general bar, we have been hearing about these peaceful protests in major cities around the country controlled by democratic mayors and City Councils. You have had a lotve of experienc experience. Have you ever seen so many people hurt, injured, and killed that peaceful protest in your life . I have not seen it, note not a peaceful protest. Obviously it is ive said from the getting these peaceful protests in many places are being hijacked by very hardcore instigators. And they have become violent in their primary direction of violence is to injure police. Police casualties far exceed anything on the civilian side. So went there over 50 Police Injured in chicago just in recent days . And now im hearing this allegation that this administration is helping spread coronavirus, covid19. And yet these are some of the same people that just ngcastigated the president for shutting down travel from the location where the virus was coming from. And now some seem more interested in defending the Chinese Communist party than they are our own country. What occurred to me, hearing this allegation by this administration helping spread covid, would it be a good idea then for haps if that is the atbig concern here that maybe the federal government should shut down the process during this covid19 spread so that we can satisfied our colleagues that you are doing more to stop it . Is that ever been a consideration . So no ive never considered that. While it would apparently stop some of the allegations being thrownme here. Now i know, you know history. Going back to 1917 the both of the resolution, some of these tactics seeing are not new, trying to get even David Horwich i introduce one time as a former socialist he said no is a fullblown communist. But he has pointed out he startedia looking away at the group he was in because he saw they were interested in trying to provoke the police to kill somebody so that they could really create mayhem. You are familiar with that tactic are you not . Yesre. So it is a dangerous time. Let me ask you for it i know you know, that u. S. Attorneys are supposed to serve at the pleasure of the president. You know bill clinton fired 93 u. S. Attorneys on the same day. Do you know what made u. S. Attorney berman think that he was the exception who did not serve at the pleasure of the president . What caused him to think el that position. I think part of it was he seems to have the view that he was Court Appointed there is a provision and law for Court Appointment of u. S. Attorney is a placeholder until the administration gets somebody he felt he could not be removed by the president. Because he was Court Appointed and that is not correct. And in some judges fail to know what my professional law concert touche and knows all federal court except the one hold their existence and continuation and jurisdiction to the u. S. Congress. Hopefully mr. Berman will figure that out at some point. Now is boots or still working for the fbi . So he worked for the department ofor justice. We have heard so much information about his basically being the gobetween between the dnc, the clinton campaign, fusion gps, christopher steele, the russian propaganda its incorporated into his dossier. I know kleinsmith, Christopher Wray indicated kidman given the chance to resign, go get a better job. I am wondering, how long bruce or will be staying where he is . Its incredible to me that he is still there. I cannot talk about individual personnel matters. Thank you for your service i am sorry for the abuse you have taken when you are just trying to do your job. Appreciate it very much. So that settlement time has expired. Recognizes the gentleman from tennessee for five minutes. Smacked thank you madam chair. Im the chairman of the subcommittee and the constitution of civil rights and Civil Liberties this is a most pertinent hearing to me. Personally i like to ask if youll work with us and allow the head of the Civil Rights Division assistant attorney t general, eric drive in to testify before this committee this fall. Smacked i will talk to him l about it. Will you encourage them . So i will talk to him about it. Smacked alright i personally want actions in Lafayette Park in june in Portland Oregon ideas eight documents at 1500 federal agents from ten different agencies were deployed to confront protesters in washington d. C. At Lafayette Park which is a long but honored except it is protests in our nations capita capital, on the first day of june the world watched in horror on Live Television is federal agents deployed by l the administration with you president and telling them to get it done, used force to clear Lafayette Parks of the president with you and others at your side could walk across the park and have a photo often front of st. Johns church. It is also an affront to the constitution and to the American People. Given the time in a coordinated attack against the peaceful demonstrators it is this was not planned for use of political purposes and just yesterday major dimarco testified to another committee of congress that the protesters were peaceful and that is what the majority of people have said. And the response was excessive. When did you first learn the president plans to walk to the park and go to st. Johnsth church . So versest i like to respond so would you please answer my question my time is limited. I learned sometime in the afternoon that the president might come out of the white house and then later in the afternoon i heard he might go over to the church. Smacked such assets lewdly necessary for the park you declared . That had nothing to do with that. The plan to move him. [inaudible] so is his command to get the ipart cleared and it was done and you said get it done im out of time thank you parties make important than weve seen mothers and veterans who were peacefully protesting not threating the federal courthouse beaten in gastric unidentified armed federal agents violently attacked demonstrators and a violation of the first amendments freedom of assembly and arrested citizens without individualized suspicion of violence and a fourth amounts protection against unreasonable searches and seizures on a warrant requirement. Youve gone through the fifth amendment and due process and just negated it. And the tenth mm which leaves general policing to the Law Enforcement to the state has been forgotten. Maybe what happened was your secret police were poorly trained. Just like your bureau of prisons guards were poorly trained and allowed the most notorious inmate in our nations last several years, Jeffrey Epstein to conveniently commit suicide, sad. Youve misled congress and the American People about special counselor muller use issued about a month before your released the redacted portion of the Mueller Report. But you set the stage. You set the stage, set special counsel objected to the accuracy of how as reported by the press and what you said. And federal judge Reggie Walton appointed by george w. Bush declared the ruling that your summary was quote distorted unquote. In misleading unquote. In the court cannot trust you. Further judge walter stated your report was quote a calculated attempt to influence Public Disclosure about the Mueller Report in favor President Trump unquote. This Committee Still does not have the unredacted Mueller Report, america still is not seen the unredacted Mueller Report your excuses for not releasing it because it had to do with ongoing cases no longer exist because is ongoing cases have been completed or commuted or finished. Other attorneys general work with this Judiciary Committee to see that the American Public in the Judiciary Committee had unredacted copies of that report. You have not yet gone to court but just fault a chance. This report is to be given to this committee. And michael cohen, who treated anhim different than Michael Flynn and roger stone. Michael flynn you have attempted to dismiss the charges even after he twice pled guilty. And roger stone you went further. Mr. Barr, john lewis said to us its not me, who, if not now, when thats why i introduce patriot rez which should thats my constitutional duty ideal back the balance of my time. Me i respond to these . Smacked im sorry. I like to seek recognition for unanimous consent request for thank you. Ni smacked like to introduce a slate article why trumps chose portland at all select introduce from Mary Mcwhorter writes her words were twisted to justify the departments disingenuous position to drop charges against Michael Flynn after darting pledd guilty i like to introduce from Jonathan Kramer in describing the political interference in ithe roger stone case and why he resigned from the department of justice. I like to introduce a statement from over 2600 former d. O. J. Officials calling for attorney general bars resignation because ofr his assault in a letter from the nearest city bar incurring threatens Public Confidence in a fair and impartial initiation of justice and finally a letterra from 27 the district of columbias most prominent attorneys and law professors including for past presence of the d. C. Bar calling for an ethics investigation into mr. Barrs conduct. Last but not least a letter from over 80 of the George WashingtonUniversity Law school faculty, youre a mama or saying his actions have imposed and continued strata clear and present danger to the evenhanded administration of justice of the liberties and the constitutional order. Smacked okay without objection price mick peden president one more unanimous request. Smacked this is the article that said in tivo violence in portland is a myth that the. Without objection art mr. Collins is recognized for five minutes. Smacked thank you madam chair. Wow, im beginning to believe frankly hasnt come out yet but it will probably come out you are the cause of the common whole cold in possibly covid19 because everything is been thrown at you and now youre on the modern doesnt like you anymore. The chairman said something earlier they that may become while the drama . Thats a most ironic statement coming from this committee and last 18 months and have ever heard of. The drama were bringing up toda today. Were seem to contort ourselves tore get to some like to show you have an affairs load. I believe that telling the truth i believe thats a problem they have that you will tell the truth and you will take the responsibility of your actions think thats why youre being attacked. But i want to continue on this quote peaceful protests. But the courthouse just down the street do you think this body right here would rise up at they decide too go tonight and paint thed capital buildin . Smacked this body im not sure. So. [laughter] im not so sure maybe the peaceful protest to burn on the capital maybe were back to 1812 again. But also the other question i have you heard earlier today the Storm Trooper, by the speaker of the house. We know that the direct reference to the pair enough departed the Storm Troopers going at it you believe that actually puts our Law Enforcement community, i want to know your opinion dont you think it encourages the an egge were seeing encouraging participation against the police . So i think thats possible in your responsible to call these federal Law Enforcementnt officer Storm Troopers. Overseen that being played out over and over. This leads back and i think its more important fact about the investigation, to believe there is actually a basis to go after general flynn . What we seem so far whats been released to keep an investor in gated open to think they have a big basis for the beginning of this investigation to start with or continue it . So i would just say i asked another u. S. Attorney in st. Louis who had tenures in the fbi in years the department of justice. As a career prosecutor to take a look at it. And he determined based on documents that had notnd been provided to flynns side and not been provided to the court. In fact there was no basis to investigate flynn. Smacked furthermore it was clearly established the documents at the fbi agents that interviewed him did not believe they felt like he was lying perspectives another part of this as well that concerns what is been given to the courts in the interviews and that is the fact were not disclosed to flynn prior to the interview. That seems like a brady violation to make do you believe theres a brady violation in this case . No there wasnt a brady violation there. I think what the council concluded of the only purpose of the interview was try to catch him and saying something they could then say was a lie. And therefore there is not a legitimate, the interview was untethered to any legitimate investigation price mix of the Law Enforcement officer this countryin is in the your responsibility to call justice for both sides . I think thats what weve doned there. Were continuing on the durum case but to your knowledge but we are seeing some release documents in the last week or two to your knowledge has Kevin Kleinsmith or anybody else that fdr d. O. J. Attempted this previously attempted to redeem themselves by cooperate with the investigation . So i cannot get into that. Smackedli okay i understand that part i have another interview as we finish up and looking at this between the investigation of think durum investigation and something most of us are waiting for because we cant get this committee to actually believe the ig report is worth having something about this theres not a democrat or republican that can make a legitimate Company Claim on why the general has not been called before this committee and that we politics aspen this problem all along. The District Attorney doubting full county georgia and actually charging, making felony murder charges on an officer the interesting part about this were you aware of the District Attorney failed to seek an indictment fory grand jury or even waited for investigation before agnes charges be aware of that . So si was buried. As an attorney and the environment we have right now Police Officers called slander exacts from this committee and others around the country and especially from the speaker the house. Was an attorney especially prosecutor do you think its appropriate to charge a Law Enforcement officer as severe as murder without obtaining an indictment for the grand jury and while you nancy charges lay out a case its the falsehoods . Smacked i said it would have preferred that he had used the grand jury and had waited until the Georgia Bureau had completed its investigation. Smacked appreciate help with that i yield back. And with that the chair recognizes mr. Johnson from georgia. Thankha you. General your Opening Statement reads like it was written by alex jones or roger stone. You stand by that statement . So yes. No im sure we can agree on some things we disagree and on a whole lot but im sure we can agree on the fact that President Trump was just a prolific tweeter is that correct . So he seems to be. And he tweeted many times about the roger stone sentencing didnt he . I dont know how many times he tweeted about it. Smacked many times. You are aware of them because you said it hurts you from doing your job. And isnt it true that when prosecutors the roger stone case filed a memo with the court recommending a sentence of seven to nine years in prison, a few hours later President Trump tweeted that the sentence recommendation was quotes a disgrace. Youre aware of that . So yes. And general bar several hours after that you filed a pleading with the court stating that the sentence recommendation would be changed and that you would be asking for a lighter sentence for roger stone isnt that correct . No. What is correct and february 10, monday i gave instructions as to what so youre claiming my timecard. I answering your question. You gotta let them answer the question priest mchugh filed a sentencingci recommendation hours after president tweeted his dissatisfaction with the stone recommendation and you change that recommendation. No the night before, that is monday night. I know your story. Im telling my story thats what them here to do. Thats why im here. Im here to tell my story and on the night before on february 10, on february 10 so im reclaiming my time sir, reclaiming my time i know you do not want to answe answer, the facts are clear, sentencing recommendation made in the morning tweet in the afternoon, you change the sentencing recommendation. The tweet was not in the afternoon i think it was made at 130 or two t in the morning. So the tweet was made before and after, tweeted about that relentlessly. You have agreed toante that. Now when you filed your sentencing recommendation asking for a lower sentence. So i did not ask for a lower sentence priest met you said youre going to recommend a lower sentence. So wasnt the sentence recommended by the prosecutors , according to the sentencing guideline calculations . So plate was within the guidelines but it was not within Justice Department policy. Smacked general bar youre American People to believe that you did not do what from wanted you to do . When you change that sentencing recommendation and lowered it for roger stone . You think the American People dont understand that you are carrying out trumps. [inaudible] so i had notot discussed my sentencing recommendation with anyone at the white house or anyone outside the department. Soo thats of the president wanted to do thats what you did. So no. Let me ask you do you think it is fair for 67yearold man to be sent to prison for seven to nine years . So gives in accordance with the sentencing. Knowest not. You just said it was in your prosecutors will also say it m was im going to move on from that. During your time at the attorney you never change the sentencing recommendation for a friend of her for barbara bush did you . So as i recall so the answers no part over the course of your time so nothing was ever elevated to me. Smacked over the course of your tenure with trump you have trumped to sentencing recommendations, not one but two. Correct . Which were they . Smacked Michael Flynn. I did change it. Well you said, you indicated that, you changed it because the original flynn sentencing recommendation was for flynn to serve zero to six months. But under your authority the Justice Department supplemented that recommendation with a pleading that stated the department of justice agreement with flynns lawyers that probation would be a reasonable sentence. And that the d. O. J. Would not be seeking prison time for Michael Flynn is that correct . So i dont think thats what it said. So thats what it sets or go back and read it. I think both pleadings. So reclaiming my time. Gentlemens time has expired. Smacked madam chair you get the speech you can ask questions if you do the latter you need to let the ask the question priest mcbeth the chairs responsibility and obligation to make that happen. s correct appearing before the committee today, there is ais disturbing pattern we have seen throughout history with totalitarian systems of government. The leaders first seek to population than the encouraging goon squads to suppress opposing voices and finally once theyve disarmed and silenced the opposition these authoritarian Leaders Institute policies that root out and crushed freedom in every form. Unfortunately the american left has been effective at the same totalitarian desire to removeve firearms and silence opposing views as part of a campaign to achieve its political ends. Weve seen this scenario play out in every major democratic runn city in America Progressive leaders pushed to disarm lawabiding americans to further their influence for watching his crime rates soar. We even saw failed president ial candidate probably tell americans hell yes we are going toan take your ar15 and your ak47. Now the american left is actively cheering as a fascist militia rages in the streets. An tepe is a Domestic Terrorist Organization that hijacks peaceful rallies, organizes armed riots, tax peaceful protesters, burns buildings, lutes stores and spreads hate. Reports of antifa attacks against or relating to thousand 17 these thugs often armed with sticks and pepper spray and other instruments showed up the silence College Republican groups at berkeley, the left was silent. Then in june 2019 antifa jumped into the National Conversation after journalists and a note was brutally attacked important, no arrests were made. The left again with silence. Exactly one year ago today wall street journal ran an ad think portland has to do something to deter Political Violence orr the city will get more of it. Of course the cities of effective leadership has only encouraged an tepe is but and onyx we have seen straight nights of violence in portland and deepest bashes to italian is not losing into other democrat run cities. Last sunday antifa launching violent assault on a peaceful pro Police Demonstration in denver, colorado. Conservative leaders in colorado including a denver area lawyer and talkshow host organize a Family Friendly event in honor of Law Enforcement appreciation day. The atmosphere is peaceful and counter protesters were given plenty of space to advocate their message. This afternoon warm on a swarm of info a tepe the thugs infiltrated peaceful black lives matter protesters and began assaulting pro Police American americans. These are 20 and 30yearold thugs assaulting 50, 60, 70 and even 80yearold americans who only wanted to show their support for Law Enforcement. Whats worse, denvers cowardly liberal leadership ordered police to retreat once they solve members of antifa entering the frame. A Denver Police attractive, nick rogers apologize for this terrible decision, detective roger sums it up best in a recent radio interviewed said quote im sorry on behalf of the rank and file, that is not us. That is not who we are. It just kills me we like good people down. I continued that a retreat order was given by a commander where at one lieutenant step up and say we arent leaving. This lieutenants of these people are going to get killed if we dont stay. So he kept his people they are prethats the reason this thing did not get worse. Ge. These are sad times in america. Free speech and the right to bear arms are being threatened by anarchists in the best our chairman can do is call antifa a myth. General bar this has to stop. We cannotor let antifa continued terrorizing our country. Can you please tell us about the appropriate use of civil and criminal statutes to address violent criminal groups like antifa . In the wake at the beginning of these riots, i asked our joint Terrorism Task force the joint task forces around the country to be our principal means of developing evidence in prosecuting violentt extremist terrorist who were involved in these activities. And one of the tools, obviously we would use his ricoh which can be used against an organization. Butth that doesnt mean we currently have a ricoh case. Systemic okay, think the gentleman, do you have anything you want to say in response to the speeches that have been given by the other side and youve been cutve off . On lafayette. Smacked the gentleman time is expired. Could i ask for brief recess . And share with the witness would like to recess. Mr. Bar. Ten minutes . Nus . Five. Okay. The committee will stand in recess for five minutes. So coming up tonight on cspan2 , next to joe biden delivers remarks on his field back better plan to advance Racial Equity in americas economy than acting u. S. Park police chief Gregory Monahan testifies on the agencys role in clearing protesters in Lafayette Square back in june for president ial photo up at st. Johns church nearby. After that reaction to the 1 trilliondollar Senate RepublicanCoronavirus Response plan from Senate Majority leader mitch mcconnell