Schumer unsatisfied with AG nominee Barr’s position on Mueller probe

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday said President Trump’s nominee for attorney general, William Barr, refused in a private meeting to unequivocally say he won’t interfere with the Russia investigation and refused to commit to releasing the special counsel’s report.

“So despite the fact that there were some nice words at the hearing, we do not have the kind of strong, clear commitments to the report being issued and there being no interference in the investigation that are needed, particularly now with President Trump treating the Justice Department as he has,” Schumer told reporters shortly after his meeting with Barr.

The meeting came a day after Barr’s confirmation hearing where he was grilled by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about his stance on the Mueller probe.

Barr told committee members that under his watch, Mueller would be allowed to complete his investigation.

Some Democrats, including Sen. Christopher Coons (D-Del.), said they were encouraged, even happy with Barr’s answers regarding Mueller, according to media reports.

But Schumer said Wednesday his opposition to the nomination has not changed.

Schumer maintained that after Tuesday’s hearing it was less clear if Barr would issue Mueller’s full report and allow the investigation to continue uninterrupted.

“He said he’s for transparency,” Schumer said. “That’s not good enough, especially with someone like Donald Trump who has treated the justice Department almost as if it’s his personal fiefdom.”

As for the investigation, Schumer said Barr would not commit to that either.