ATTORNEY GENERAL/INVESTIGATIONS/JUSTICE DEPARTMENT/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Attorney General William P. Barr pushed back on Monday [10-28-19] on criticism that the Justice Department is investigating the origins of the Russia inquiry to help President Trump settle personal legal and political scores, insisting that he does not serve as the president’s personal lawyer…Mr. Barr also sought to distance himself from the investigation, though he is closely supervising it. Mr. Barr played down his overseas travel, which has gained attention in recent weeks, as an attempt to open doors for the lead investigator, the veteran prosecutor John H. Durham…Mr. Barr’s comments were his first public remarks after a cascade of revelations about the investigation, including that it has shifted from an administrative review to a criminal inquiry, meaning Mr. Durham can seek court orders for witness testimony and documents and convene a grand jury.”
–Katie Benner, “Barr Rejects Complaints That He Is Bolstering Trump’s Personal Agenda,” The New York Times online, October 28, 2019