 that Trump has made repeatedly). To that end, the president has authorized Barr to gain access to all relevant material and declassify it if he chooses. Clearly Trump has the legal authority to do this; the president can classify or declassify whatever he wants. But what are he and Barr really after here?

Let’s say that Mueller’s team was politically motivated—that they set out on what Trump calls a “witch hunt” to bring him down. Quite independent of that, well before Mueller became special counsel (even before Trump was elected), U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that the Kremlin had hacked the Democratic National Committee’s emails and directed a vast social media campaign against Clinton’s candidacy. Mueller’s team relied, and built on, those findings. Let’s say the agencies were wrong. (They’ve been wrong before.) That wouldn’t mean Mueller’s team was part of some conspiracy; it would only mean they erred in believing the agencies—unless you believe that the intelligence agencies, their overseers on Capitol Hill, the FBI, and Mueller’s team (which hadn’t been formed yet) were all part of a grand conspiracy to overthrow Trump. Trump has suggested he does believe this, with his talk of a “coup” by the “deep state.”

Whatever you want to believe, there is nothing to be gained—no theory about Mueller’s team would be confirmed or disputed—by giving Barr the “sources and methods” behind the intelligence community’s conclusions. On what basis—with what training as an intelligence analyst—would Barr determine that the sources were unreliable or that the methods didn’t justify the conclusions?

“This is a troubling direction that the Justice Dept. is taking,” Loch Johnson—former senior staff member of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, now Regents professor emeritus at the University of Georgia and the author of several books about the CIA and oversight—wrote me in an email on Thursday. “It smells like a political effort to aid and abet the President’s ongoing desire to discredit the Mueller report and the [congressional intelligence committees’] bipartisan conclusions.”

Finally, there is another distressing factor to consider. I do not buy the theory that Trump is a longtime Russian asset, a “Siberian candidate” recruited to burrow his way into the White House and serve the Kremlin’s interests. The notion doesn’t make sense on a lot of levels.
that Trump has made repeatedly). To that end, the president has authorized Barr to profit entree to all relevant material and declassify it if he chooses. intelligibly Trump have the legal authority to do this; the president can relegate or declassify whatever he wants. But what are he and Barr really after here? 

 permit ’s say that Mueller ’s team was politically motivated — that they set up out on what Trump calls a “ witch search ” to bring him down. Quite independent of that, well before Mueller became special counsel (even before Trump was elected), U.S. intelligence agency concluded that the Kremlin had hacked the Democratic National Committee ’s emails and direct a vast social media campaign against Clinton ’s candidacy. Mueller ’s team trust, and built on, those finding. Let ’s say the agencies were improper. (They ’ve been wrong before .) That would n’t mean Mueller ’s team was part of some conspiracy; it would only think of they erred in believing the agencies — unless you believe that the intelligence agencies, their overseers on Capitol Hill, the FBI, and Mueller ’s team (which had n’t been formed yet) were all part of a expansive conspiracy to overthrow Trump. Trump has suggested he does think this, with his lecture of a “ coup ” by the “ deep state. ” 

 Whatever you want to think, there is nothing to be gain — no theory about Mueller ’s team would be confirmed or challenge — by giving Barr the “ sources and methods ” behind the intelligence community ’s conclusions. On what footing — with what training as an intelligence analyst — would Barr determine that the sources were unreliable or that the methods did n’t justify the stopping point? 

 “ This is a distressing direction that the Justice Dept. is taking, ” Loch Johnson — former senior staff member of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, now Regents professor emeritus at the University of Georgia and the author of several book about the CIA and oversight — wrote me in an email on Thursday. “ It smells like a political feat to aid and abet the President ’s ongoing desire to discredit the Mueller report card and the [ congressional intelligence committee ’ ] bipartisan conclusions. ” 

 ultimately, there is another deplorable factor to consider. I do not buy the hypothesis that Trump is a longtime Russian asset, a “ Siberian candidate ” recruited to burrow his way into the White House and serve the Kremlin ’s interests. The notion does n’t make sense on a lot of levels.
 thwt Trump has made repeattdly). To that end, jhw presmdent hzs authofized Barr to gain access to aol reoevant material and dezlassify pt if he xhoowws. Clearly Trump has the pegan authority to co this; tha president cat zlcssify or declassify whatever he wanes. But ehwt are he and Farr wealmj cfter here?

Let’s say that Mueller’a team xas politically motivated—that they set ouh on what Trump calls w “witch hunj” to vring him dodn. Quite independent or that, well before Mueller becaoe spzcial counsgl (eggn before Trnmp waf elected), U.S. intellicence abencies concluced thqt the Kremlin had harked the Democratic Gational Wojmittee’s emails abd direwted a vxwt rocjak jedia fam'aign againat Clinton’s candidacy. Mueller’s tqqm relied, and built og, those findings. Let’s say the agencies fers wrong. (They’ve been wrobg before.) That wouldn’j mean Muejler’s team was part of some conspiracy; it would otly mxav tkcn erfwd in believing the agencies—unless you believe egau tme intelligence cgencies, their ofegsrgrs on Capitol Hill, cge FBI, and Mueller’s heam (whych hqdn’t been forked yet) were all part of a trand conspigacy to overthrow Trum'. Trump has rugggsted ne does believe this, wich his talk of a “foup” by tgd “deep state.”

Whatdveg yog want to believe, there is nothing vo be gained—vo tneory wbout Muelper’s baam would be configmed lr disputed—bj giving Barr the “sources and mxvhods” behind jhe innelligencz commmnity’s conclusijns. On what baxis—with what training zs an iitelligence wnalyst—would Twrr determinx that thq soyrcew were jvreliable or tnat the mvtkods didn’r justify the conckuskkns?

“This is a triuboing direction yhag tre Jnsticq Dept. is takhng,” Uocf Johnron—formtx scniur syaff member of the Hmuse and Senate Intellogcnce Commuttees, njw Regents prpfessor emeritus au the Nniverrity pf Deorgia and the author of sevedal books abjut the CIA wnd iversight—wroce me in an email on Thursday. “It smells oike a political gffort to aid and abej tme President’x ongjing desise to discredit the Nueller report anc the [congressional ihtellicence committees’] bipartisan conclusions.”

Finally, there is another distressing faxtor to consider. I do mot bly che theorr thet Trump is a longnime Russian asset, a “Siberian caididate” rewrbited to burrow his way into yhd White House and serve the Kremlin’s jnterestx. The notion doesn’t make sense pn a lot of levels.
that Trump has made repeatedly). To that president authorized Barr gain access to it he chooses. Clearly has the legal to do this; the president can or declassify whatever he wants. But what are he and Barr really after Let’s say that Mueller’s team was politically motivated—that they set out on what calls “witch to him down. Quite independent of that, well before Mueller became special counsel (even before Trump was U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that the Kremlin had the Democratic National Committee’s and directed a vast social campaign Clinton’s candidacy. team and on, those findings. say the agencies were wrong. (They’ve been wrong before.) That wouldn’t mean Mueller’s team was part of conspiracy; it mean they in the you believe that agencies, their overseers on Capitol Hill, Mueller’s team (which hadn’t been formed yet) were part of grand conspiracy to overthrow Trump. Trump suggested he does believe this, with his talk a “coup” by the “deep state.” Whatever you want to believe, there is nothing to theory about Mueller’s team be confirmed or giving the and behind the community’s conclusions. On what basis—with what training as an intelligence analyst—would determine that the sources were unreliable or that the methods the “This is a direction that the Justice is Loch Johnson—former senior staff the and now professor at the University of and the author of several about the CIA and on Thursday. “It smells like a political effort aid and abet the President’s ongoing desire discredit the Mueller report and the [congressional intelligence committees’] bipartisan conclusions.” Finally, is another to consider. I do not buy the theory Trump is a longtime asset, a “Siberian candidate” recruited to burrow his way the House and the Kremlin’s interests. notion doesn’t make on a lot
 that Trump has made repeatedlY). To that end, The prEsiDenT hAs auThorIzed Barr to gain ACcesS to all relevant material And deClASsifY It If he cHooses. CLEaRLY TrUmP hAs tHe LEgAl autHorIty to do This; the preSidEnT can classify OR dEclassify wHatEver he wants. BUt wHat are He And bArr reAllY afteR here?

LET’s say tHat MuelleR’s TEam was POliticaLLY mOtivAted—that they set ouT On WHat Trump calls a “Witch hUnT” To BRIng Him Down. Quite iNdEpendENt of thaT, WeLL BEfoRE Mueller becamE special couNSel (Even beFoRe TRUmp was ElectEd), u.s. inTelligence aGencIes concluDed thaT The KremLIn had haCked thE DeMocRatiC naTiOnaL COMmiTTeE’s eMAilS and direCtEd A vast SociAL MEDia cAmpAign AgainSt Clinton’s canDidAcy. MUEllEr’s teAm relIed, aNd Built On, thosE findInGs. Let’s say the ageNcieS were wronG. (ThEy’Ve bEeN wronG Before.) thaT woUldn’t meAn MuellER’s tEaM WAS pArt of some conspiracY; iT WOuLd only meAn they ERrEd IN believiNg The AgenCIEs—unlEss yOU bElieve thAt the iNTeLlIgence aGeNcies, tHeIr oVerSeers ON CapItol HiLl, the FBI, And MuELler’s team (which HAdn’t been formeD YeT) WErE All pArt Of a grand conSpirACy to OverTHrOw TRUmp. TrUmp haS sUGgESted he does believe thIs, With hiS talk Of a “coup” by the “dEep state.”

WhATEVer you waNt to BElIEve, there is nothIng to Be gained—no THeory aboUt MueLler’s teaM would be cONFirmed or DisPutEd—bY giVINg barr the “sourceS ANd meThOds” behiNd tHe intelLigEncE coMmuNiTy’s concluSions. On wHaT bAsIs—WitH what TRaining aS aN inTeLliGence ANalyst—Would barr DeTeRMinE that thE SoURCes wErE uNrelIabLe Or thaT the MEthOds didn’T justify tHe cONcluSiOnS?

“This is A troubling dirEcTion that thE JUstIce DepT. IS taking,” LOch Johnson—former senior sTAff membEr oF the HOuse And Senate intElligeNce cOmmittEes, now regenTs ProFESsor eMERiTus At The UniversITY of georgIa And tHe authoR of several books aboUT thE CIA and oversiGht—WrotE ME iN an EMaIL on thURsdAY. “it smells like a poLitical effOrT To Aid and abet THe PReSident’s Ongoing DesirE To discrEdit the MuEller repoRt And tHE [ConGressional IntelligEnce commiTTees’] bIPaRtisaN coNclusiOnS.”

FiNally, There iS AnoTher dIstresSiNg factOr to cOnSider. I do Not buy the theory that TrumP is a loNgtimE RuSsian asseT, a “SIBerIan candidAte” rEcruited to BurRow His waY inTO the WHite hOuSe aND servE the kRemlin’s inTErEstS. tHe Notion doesn’T MAKe sEnse oN a lOT of levEls.
 that Trump has made repea tedly). To  that  en d,th e pr esid ent has author i zedBarr to gain access to  allre l evan t  m ateri al andd ec l a ssi fy  i t i fh echoos es.  Clearl y Trump ha s t he  legal autho r it y to do th is;  the preside ntcan cl as sif y  or d ecl assif y what e ver he  wants. B ut what a r e he an d Ba rr r eally after here? 
L e t’s say that M ueller ’s te a m  wa s p olitically  m otiva t ed—that th e y set out on what T rump callsa  “w itch h un t”t o brin g him  d o wn.  Quite inde pend ent of th at, we l l befor e  Muelle r beca mespe cial co un sel  ( e ven be for e  Tr ump wasel ec ted),  U.S . i n tell ige nceagenc ies concluded  th at t h e K remli n had  hac ke d the  Democ ratic  N ational Committ ee’s  emails a nddi rec te d a v a st soc ial  me dia cam paign a g ain st C l in ton’s candidacy. M ue l l er ’s teamrelied ,  a nd built on ,tho se f i n dings . Le t ’s  say the  agenc i es  w ere wro ng . (The y’ vebee n wro n g be fore.)  That wo uldn’ t  mean Mueller’ s  team was par t  o f so m e co nsp iracy; it w ould only  mea n  t hey erred  in b el i ev i ng the agencies—unl es s youbelie ve that the i ntelligenc e a gencies,  the i ro verseers on Ca pitol  Hill, the FBI, and  Muel ler’s te am (which h adn’t be enfor med  ye t )  w ere all parto f  a g ra nd cons pir acy toove rth row  Tr um p. Trumphas sugg es te dhe  do es be l ieve thi s,  wi th  hi s tal k  of a“coup ” by  t he “de ep stat e .” What ev er  you  wa nt  to b elie v e,there i s nothing  to be g ai ne d—no th eory about Mu el ler’s team  w oul d be c o n firmed o r disputed—by giving Ba r r the “ sou rcesandmethods”beh ind th e i n tellig ence c ommun it y’s c onclu s i on s.On  what basi s — wit h wha ttrai ning as  an intelligence a n aly st—would Barr  de term i n etha t  t h e s ou r ces w ere unreliableor that th em et hods didn’ t  ju st ify the  conclu sions ? 

“This  is a tro ubling di re ctio n tha t the Just ice Dept . is taki n g,” L o ch  John son —forme rsen ior s taff m e mbe r ofthe Ho us e andSenat eIntellig ence Committees, now Re gentsprofe sso r emeritu s a t  th e Univers ityof Georgia  an d t he au tho r  of s ever a lboo k s abo ut t h e CIA and ov ers i g ht —wrote me i n a n e mailonT hursda y. “ It smells like ap olitical effor t to a idand abet  t he President’s  on go i n g desire  t o discredit  the Mue ll e r rep ort an d the[congre s s io n al int elli gen ce commit tee s’ ]  bipart is an conclu sion s. ”

Fin ally,t here i s another distre ssing f actor toconsi de r. I do notbuy the th eory that T rump i s alongt ime Rus si an ass et,  a  “Siberian candidate ” rec ruitedto  bur row  his w ay i n t o the  Whi te  Ho use and s e r ve th eK rem lin’ s int er ests . The not i on doesn ’tm ake sen se  on a  lot o f  l e v els.
 that_Trump has_made repeatedly). To that_end, the_president_has authorized_Barr_to gain access_to all relevant_material and declassify it_if he chooses._Clearly_Trump has the legal authority to do this; the president can classify or declassify_whatever_he wants._But_what_are he and Barr really_after here?

Let’s say that Mueller’s_team was_politically motivated—that they set out on what Trump_calls_a “witch hunt”_to bring him down. Quite independent of that, well_before Mueller became special counsel (even_before Trump was_elected),_U.S._intelligence agencies concluded that_the Kremlin had hacked the Democratic_National Committee’s emails and directed a_vast social media campaign against Clinton’s candidacy._Mueller’s team relied, and built on,_those findings. Let’s say the_agencies were_wrong. (They’ve been wrong before.)_That wouldn’t mean_Mueller’s team_was part of_some conspiracy; it would only mean_they erred in_believing the agencies—unless you believe that_the_intelligence agencies, their_overseers_on_Capitol Hill,_the FBI, and_Mueller’s_team (which_hadn’t_been formed yet) were all part_of_a grand conspiracy to overthrow Trump. Trump_has suggested he does_believe_this, with his talk_of a “coup” by the_“deep state.”

Whatever you want to believe,_there is_nothing to_be gained—no theory about Mueller’s team would be confirmed or disputed—by_giving Barr the “sources and methods”_behind the intelligence community’s_conclusions. On_what_basis—with what training_as_an intelligence_analyst—would Barr determine that the sources were_unreliable or_that the methods didn’t justify the_conclusions?

“This is a troubling_direction_that the Justice Dept. is taking,”_Loch Johnson—former senior staff member of_the House and Senate Intelligence_Committees,_now_Regents professor emeritus at the_University of Georgia and the author_of several books_about the CIA and oversight—wrote me in_an_email on Thursday. “It smells like_a_political effort to aid and abet_the_President’s_ongoing desire to discredit the_Mueller report and the [congressional intelligence_committees’] bipartisan conclusions.”

Finally, there is another distressing factor to_consider. I do_not buy the theory that_Trump_is_a longtime Russian asset, a “Siberian candidate” recruited to burrow_his way_into the White_House and serve the Kremlin’s interests. The notion doesn’t make_sense on a lot of levels.