On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee, with its new chair, Lindsey Graham, is holding hearings for the nomination of William Barr to become the next Attorney General. No, Barr has not been confirmed yet, but with 53 Republicans, it likely will happen. The hearing has been an oddity from the get-go.
Graham is showing his true colors and what this committee will focus on, suggesting that the office is broken. But for “Corruption by the Kilogram” Graham, it is working fine.
Turning to the Strzok/Page texts, Graham read several and asked for Barr’s reaction. Barr responded that he was “shocked” by them. Barr did state, “I don’t believe Mr. Mueller would be involved in a witch hunt.” Barr did not commit to following the advice of career ethics officials on whether he should recuse himself and indicated strong support for a border wall.
Barr will surely be asked about his memo to Rod Rosenstein and why he wrote it. Absent any serious dirt coming out against Barr, he will be confirmed. But in the meantime, Chairman Graham’s approach and words should remind America that the blue wave of 2016 will not be complete until the Senate turns blue as well. In the meantime, God help us.