Harvard Law School professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz and former Bush ethics lawyer Richard Painter, who is running in Minnesota for U.S. Senate as a Democrat, clashed on MSNBC on Saturday over special counsel Robert Mueller’s reputation.
Painter argued that Mueller “is a highly professional prosecutor” who had “an impeccable record” when he served as FBI director under George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Dershowitz, who has made the rounds on cable news to offer a strong critique of Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election and the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia, countered Painter’s defense of Mueller by questioning the Senate candidate’s own character.
When Dershowitz brought up Mueller’s “mixed reputation,” Painter cut him off.
“That’s not true. You cannot say that about him. That is not true, professor. That’s a lie,” Painter argued. “Do not assault his reputation. That’s just not true. He’s a good man.”
“Well, let me assault your reputation,” Dershowitz responded. “Painter is trying to parlay his anti-Trump zealotry into a run for the Senate. He has lied repeatedly about me.”
“You have no right to go on national television and say things that are false about Robert Mueller,” Painter fired back.
Dershowitz then accused Painter of previously saying he knew nothing about Israel.
“This has nothing to do with Israel. This has to do with you assaulting the reputation of Robert Mueller, a good American,” Painter said.
“He may be, but you’re not, sir,” Dershowitz said.
The MSNBC host then said the network was having difficulties with Skype, though the connection appeared to be fine, and cut the debate off.
“I am pleased to debate with anyone the civil liberties issues involved with various tactics used by prosecutors against organized criminals and, occasionally, presidents,” Painter said on Twitter afterwards. “But anyone who goes on TV to slander the reputation of Robert Mueller is going to get an earful from me.”
I am pleased to debate with anyone the civil liberties issues involved with various tactics used by prosecutors against organized criminals and, occasionally, presidents.
But anyone who goes on TV to slander the reputation of Robert Mueller is going to get an earful from me.— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) May 5, 2018
