Ken Starr, the independent counsel who investigated former President Bill Clinton, said on Sunday criticism of Attorney General William Barr is “unfair.”
Democrats have accused Barr of trying to hide damning information about President Trump from special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
Asked if he thinks Barr is trying to withhold “damaging” details during a “Fox and Friends” interview, Barr said, “No, no, and no again.”
“Bill Barr is an honorable and honest man,” Starr said. “He is an extraordinarily able lawyer and he has a track record. You know, he didn’t come out of politics from the Senate or wherever. He came out of the world of law. And in the world of law we try to follow the rules and that’s exactly what he’s doing.”
Starr said the criticism is “obviously political” and “eroding confidence in the rule of law unnecessarily.”
“I think it’s very unfortunate and it’s quite wrong. It’s unfair. But welcome to Washington,” he added.
Barr provided a four-page summary of Mueller’s roughly 400-page report to Congress last month which said Mueller did not establish the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. The summary also said Mueller did not find Trump committed obstruction of justice, but Mueller also did not exonerate the president. However, Barr said he concluded there was insufficient evidence to establish a crime.
Although Barr says he is working with Mueller to release a redacted version of the final report for Congress to read this month, House Democrats are poised to subpoena the Justice Department for access to the full report and underlying documents.
Starr said Barr is right to resist calls to divulge the full report. Releasing grand jury information, Starr said, would be breaking the law.
