Thread by @jedshug

What I'm watching for at 9:30:
Will Barr mention "investigating" the investigators (the FBI), "spying," the origins of Steele Dossier, etc?
@msnbc Brian Williams says he hears hints of that.
That'd be a big tell that the Report is damaging...
And Barr would be creating a crisis.

2/ @msnbc @PeterAlexander quotes a Trump official:
They knew the Report is "damaging," "bad"
Using Barr this morning to "muddy the waters."
Using Barr & a counter-report to create a "slow burn" over the holiday weekend.
Ahem, "SLOW BURN," @leoncrawl?
slate.com/slow-burn

3/ If Barr talks about "spying" or "surveillance," note that the record clearly shows:
1) The FBI used legal FISA process Fall 2016, after Carter Page had left the campaign.
2) The investigation didn't start b/c of Steele, but b/c Papadopolous bragged of Russia hacks in May 2016

4/ Barr starts by embracing Rod Rosenstein (figuratively, but it sure feels like a big desperate hug). Rod's a nice prop today.
Barr: "Thanks, Rod."
(Note: Rod was a participant in Comey firing, failed to recuse on that question, and conveniently declined to find it criminal)

5/ Barr: 1st, "Mueller found no evidence" a US person coordinated with Internet Research Agency.
2d, "SCO report found no evidence" of conspiring with Russian govt in hacking.
No evidence of collusion with hacking...
Now he's talking about Wikileaks...

6/ If Barr says that there was no evidence that anyone in campaign participated in "dissminating" Wikileaks stolen material, then how do we explain the Stone indictment?
"A Sr Trump campaign official *was directed* to contact Stone" about Wikileaks...
talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/who-…

7/ Barr is now engaging in remarkable spin in defense of Trump's conduct as based on a "sincere" belief that this investigation was undermining his presidency. His characterization of the Mueller investigation could have been a @Foxnews segment on "presidential harrassment."

8/ Barr confirms that Trump has not invoked executive privilege.
Barr also confirms that he gave Trump the final redacted version of the report before publication.
He cites DOJ policy.
To be honest, I'm not bothered by this news. This is not an outrage.

9/ Barr's press conference opening statement *does not* discuss investigating the investigation, the FBI, or the Steele Dossier.
I am quite relieved. This is good news for now.

10/ @foxnews journalist asks explicitly about whether Barr would address "the genesis" of this investigation. (Hinting at nefarious origins).
Barr declines to discuss those questions today. Fine...
But then Barr gets testy with the next questions...

11/ I have been studying the origins and history of the DOJ for years.
Many high and low points in its history.
This morning is one of the lowest low points.
Barr's spin was utterly partisan pro-Trump:
Trump's frustration with investigation was "sincere."
That's not a defense.

12/ @NicolleDWallace:
"I know my child sprayed graffiti all over the school, but he was frustrated. How is that a defense?"
One can also be sincerely frustrated... and also have corrupt intent.
ONE CAN OBSTRUCT JUSTICE EVEN IF ONE THINKS ONE IS INNOCENT.

13/ Let me say this again, because Barr's legal analysis is absurdly wrong.
An innocent person can still obstruct justice, even if sincere in their belief.
And how can we know if one is innocent if they have obstructed the process of investigating guilty and innocence.