Senate

Democrat previews Mueller questions for Trump’s AG nominee

by Emily Birnbaum - 01/14/19 10:26 PM ET

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in a letter obtained by HuffPost previewed the questions about special counsel Robert Mueller that he plans to ask President Trump’s attorney general nominee William Barr.

Whitehouse tweeted that he had delivered the letter to Barr directly.

{mosads}”I personally delivered a letter to Attorney General nominee Bill #Barr asking him to prepare for questions on protecting #Mueller, blocking political interference at @TheJusticeDept, and #darkmoney,” Whitehouse tweeted on Monday. “Now I expect full answers at tomorrow’s hearing.”

I personally delivered a letter to Attorney General nominee Bill #Barr asking him to prepare for questions on protecting #Mueller, blocking political interference at @TheJusticeDept, and #darkmoney.

Now I expect full answers at tomorrow’s hearing. https://t.co/U9pkEoFWXG

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) January 14, 2019

Whitehouse in the letter wrote that he is planning to ask Barr about his views on the Mueller investigation, including the memo he sent to the White House last year in which Barr said the probe into possible obstruction of justice was based on a “fatally misconceived” theory.

“Why did you submit an unsolicited memo about a pending investigation to the Department of Justice?” Whitehouse is planning to ask Barr. He will ask about Barr’s contacts with the Justice Department, Trump administration officials and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

Whitehouse in the letter brought up concerns about the possibility that Trump might want Barr to act like Robert Bork, the former solicitor general who fired special prosecutor Archibald Cox at former President Nixon’s request.

“Your agreement to follow in the footsteps of Robert Bork would provide significant assurances to those who fear your appointment is a prelude to another Saturday Night Massacre,” Whitehouse wrote to Barr, referring to an agreement Bork signed allowing a special counsel to work independently.

Barr’s Senate confirmation hearing is set for Jan. 15 and 16. He is certain to face sharp questioning from Democrats who are raising concerns about his stance toward Mueller.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the new chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said last week that Barr plans to allow Mueller to finish his investigation. Barr confirmed that in the letter he sent to the committee on Monday.