Thread by @axios

Barr on releasing the Mueller report publicly: "His work concluded when he sent his report to the attorney general. At that point, it was my baby and I was making a decision as to whether or not make it public." axios.com/bill-barr-muel…

When asked if he has ever used the term "spying" to refer to authorized department investigative activities, Barr said: "I'm not going to adjure the use of the word "spying." My first job was in CIA. I don't think it has a pejorative connotation at all." axios.com/bill-barr-muel…

Barr added: "We went back and looked at press usage, and up until all the faux outrage a couple of weeks ago, it's commonly used in the press to refer to authorized activities."

Sen. Whitehouse responded: "But it's not commonly used by the department." axios.com/bill-barr-muel…

Barr, after saying earlier that the Trump campaign was not briefed on Russia: "I have been told during the break that a lesser kind of briefing, a security briefing that generally discusses general threats, apparently was given to the campaign in August." axios.com/bill-barr-muel…

Barr told Sen. Amy Klobuchar that Trump's statements implying Michael Cohen's family members committed crimes in order to influence his testimony could not "pass muster" to reach the level of obstruction. axios.com/bill-barr-muel…

NEW: On his decision to clear Trump on obstruction, Barr said: "I didn't exonerate. I said that we did not believe there was sufficient evidence to establish an obstruction offense, which is the job of the Justice Department." axios.com/bill-barr-muel…

Pressed by Sen. Hirono to answer whether Trump lied, as the Mueller report said he did, Barr said: "I'm not in the business of determining when lies are told to the American people. I'm in the business of determining whether a crime has been committed." axios.com/bill-barr-muel…

Barr told Sen. Cory Booker that he's not sure what he means when he says the Trump campaign "sought to benefit" from material stolen by Russians.

When told the campaign shared polling data with a foreign adversary, Barr replied: "With who?" axios.com/bill-barr-muel…

Responding to questions from Sen. Kamala Harris about his declaration that Mueller's evidence was "not sufficient to establish" that Trump committed obstruction, Barr admitted that he has not personally reviewed all of the evidence. axios.com/bill-barr-muel…

Asked whether Mueller reviewed Trump's tax returns or the Trump Organization's financial records, Barr said he does not know. He told Sen. Amy Klobuchar that she can ask Mueller when he testifies. axios.com/bill-barr-muel…

Barr: "[Mueller's] letter is a bit snitty and I think it was probably written by one of his staff people."

Asked by Sen. Blumenthal whether the committee could get the memo of Barr's phone call with Mueller, Barr said: "No. Why should you?" axios.com/bill-barr-muel…