It’s no secret that Democrats, Congress, and the American public have absolutely no time for Attorney General Bill Barr’s nonsense. Michigan Democratic representative Brenda Lawrence made that crystal clear as Barr testified before Congress today.
When questioned about his support of the President in eliminating the Affordable Care Act, which offers health insurance to millions across the nation, Lawrence castigated the Attorney General for his decision against the American public, chastised him for interrupting her, and demanded that he make it clear whether he was here to serve the American people or to serve the agenda of Donald Trump.
Lawrence began by recounting Barr’s confirmation hearing, “I watched in deliberate intent of your answers ‘who do you report to, the president of the United States or to the people of America?’ You, during your confirmation, without duress, said you report to the people — but you just said when it came to the ACA ruling that you gave, that the president was very clear that he opposed it, and so let it work out in legislation.”
Barr quickly attempted to interrupt the representative but was quickly shut down by an angry Lawrence.
“Let me finish my question because that’s what I heard,” she cut him off and began speaking slowly and deliberately as if conversing with a petulant child.
“I want you to explain to me, do you understand your role, when you issue a statement abolishing Affordable Care Act, that you as the attorney general of the people of the United States have a responsibility to understand and support that decision, not based on the policy of a president of the United States?” Lawrence continued. “You felt it was the right decision under the law to issue that you support abolishing the Affordable Care Act? That’s your legal opinion?”
Barr attempted to defend himself saying, “The first obligation is to provide your best view of the law,” but if the president disagrees then “the attorney general litigating on behalf of the United States should take that position if it’s reasonable and a defensive legal position, even if it’s not the position that the attorney general would take if the attorney general was a judge.”
Absolutely astonished, Lawrence replied, “What you’re saying is if you disagree with the president, if your legal experience and your expertise doesn’t agree, and your president says something different, you’re obligated to agree and enforce what the president says. Is that what you’re telling me as the attorney general of the United States of America?”
Barr attempted to claim that the DOJ often defended Congressional laws that it didn’t agree with, but Lawrence refused to accept that.
“Sir, we pass laws. The president of the United States doesn’t pass laws. Sir, I’m very concerned at this point. I’m over my time and I’ll come back at my second one, but I’m very concerned with your statement.”
Watch the video here:
Featured image via screen captureÂ
