A top ally of President Trump and a Democratic former federal prosecutor engaged in a Twitter fight that culminated in accusations of impropriety.
The dispute began when Preet Bharara, a former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, sarcastically replied to a tweet from Republican congressional candidate George Santos over the weekend.
Santos, who is gay, claimed that he and his fiance were forced to vacate their home with their four dogs due to the New York Times publishing his private Instagram photos.
“‘[T]hanks to the @nytimes publishing of my Instagram’ (I blame the media for my woes after they picked up the press release I sent them),” Bharara wrote.
“thanks to the @nytimes publishing of my Instagram” ? (I blame the media for my woes after they picked up the press release I sent them) https://t.co/6IRaigkAzU
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) January 3, 2021
Richard Grenell, who formerly served as the U.S. ambassador to Germany and as the acting director of national intelligence in the Trump administration, fired back, claiming that Bharara’s tweet was reflective of a career of bigotry and political persecution.
“This biased prosecutor who weaponized his authority for political gain is now attacking conservative gay men who were threaten with violence,” Grenell tweeted. “It’s all politics for Bharara. He is offended that gays are conservatives.”
This biased prosecutor who weaponized his authority for political gain is now attacking conservative gay men who were threaten with violence.
It’s all politics for Bharara. He is offended that gays are conservatives.
Imagine this guy ever getting power again?! Scary. https://t.co/0kooeEERDS
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) January 4, 2021
Bharara, an outspoken Trump critic, returned fire with a tweet early Monday morning.
“You have mastered the performative thing, Ric. Congrats,” he tweeted.
You have mastered the performative thing, Ric. Congrats. https://t.co/tKspn65exo
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) January 4, 2021
Grenell, the first openly gay person to serve in a Cabinet-level position who also took on the role of special presidential envoy for the Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations, replied with a call to action for those tasked with conducting oversight of U.S. attorneys’ investigations. He accused Bharara of misusing his status to settle political gripes during his tenure from 2009 to 2017.
“Of course you don’t deny weaponizing your office. Every single case you did should be reviewed for political bias,” he wrote. “If you can attack gays because you disagree with them politically then there is no level you wouldn’t stoop.”
Of course you don’t deny weaponizing your office.
Every single case you did should be reviewed for political bias.
If you can attack gays because you disagree with them politically then there is no level you wouldn’t stoop. https://t.co/qSvyrx0ojc
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) January 4, 2021
Bharara took one parting shot at the diplomat, writing: “Ok. That makes a lot of sense. Good night, Ambassador.”
Ok. That makes a lot of sense. Good night, Ambassador. https://t.co/bFcd5VtuZ7
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) January 4, 2021
The social media skirmish mirrors a larger saga unfolding between Democratic and Republican officials. While Democrats and some Republicans are seeking to close the book on the 2020 presidential election by certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in Congress on Jan. 6, other Republicans, including Grenell, remain concerned about the possibility that voter fraud tainted the outcome.
Several GOP lawmakers in both chambers plan to challenge the results, including a cluster of nearly a dozen senators who are demanding a commission conduct an audit or else they will object.
Trump has expressed support for the planned objection.
“JANUARY SIXTH, SEE YOU IN DC!” he tweeted last week.
JANUARY SIXTH, SEE YOU IN DC!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2020
