Democrats edge closer to holding Barr in contempt after attorney general skips Mueller hearing

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Democrats are edging closer to holding the attorney general of the United States in contempt of Congress, after William Barr ditched testimony in which he was expected to discuss his controversial handling of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia report.

The threats to hold Mr Barr in contempt followed shortly after House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler gaveled in a nearly empty hearing on the report Thursday morning, and Democrats began decrying what they see as an administration running rough-shod over US democratic institutions.

With a seat assigned to the attorney general sitting vacant, Democrats railed against America’s top law enforcement officer for refusing to hand over the full Mueller report, and the underlying evidence, and questioned why he made false statements to Congress about the report in April.

“The attorney general must make a choice,” Mr Nadler said, as a colleague ate fried chicken nearby in a statement about the attorney general’s lack of courage before the committee.

“Every one of us must make the same choice,” the New York Democrat continued. “That choice is now an obligation of our office. The choice is simple: we can stand up to this president in defence of the country and the Constitution we love, or we can let the moment pass us by.”

Of particular concern for Democrats is the recently revealed letter from Mr Mueller to Mr Barr in March, in which he expressed concern about a four-page summary letter the attorney general sent to Congress shortly after receiving the special counsel’s full report. Mr Barr would later tell Congress, weeks later, that he was unaware that Mr Mueller had any misgivings on his portrayal of the report.

Later on Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described the gravity of the scenario.

“What is deadly serious about it is the attorney general of the United States of America was not telling the truth to the Congress of the United States,” Ms Pelosi told reporters, referencing April testimony in which Mr Barr said he was not aware that Mr Mueller was uncomfortable with the way he had portrayed the report.

“That’s a crime,” Ms Pelosi continued.

In response, the Justice Department released the following statement, according to The New York Times: “Speaker Pelosi’s baseless attack on the attorney general is reckless, irresponsible and false.”

During his Senate testimony on Wednesday, Mr Barr had attempted to explain away the letter from Mr Mueller by saying he had reached out directly to the special counsel to discuss his concerns. After that conversation, Mr Barr said, he came away with the impression that there was no real issue.

Democrats are also seeking to force the Justice Department to hand over the full Mueller report, and the underlying evidence uncovered by the nearly two year investigation.

It is unclear how they may force the attorney general’s hand, should he decide not to cooperate. But, following the release of the letter from Mr Mueller, some lawmakers have raised the potential of opening an impeachment inquiry, which would give the House the power to demand information from the executive branch.

Others have raised the potential to hold Mr Barr in contemplate, which is not a punitive measure but would be a mark on the man’s record. The strategy was used in 2012 by House Republicans against then-attorney general Eric Holder after he refused to hand over internal Justice Department documents.

Republicans have pushed back on Democrat attacks of Mr Barr — and the president, who has also been the target if whispers of impeachment — and have said their Democratic colleagues are to blame for Mr Barr’s refusal to return to Congress for a second round of testimony on Thursday.

“The reason Bill Barr is not here today is because the Democrats decided they did not want him here today,” said Representative Doug Collins, indicating he thinks Democrats were creating a conflict for Mr Barr.

Mr Nadler has said that Mr Mueller has agreed to speak to the House Judiciary Committee sometime in May, although a specific date has not been set.

Mr Barr, on Wednesday, indicated that he has no issue with Mr Mueller testifying.