Trump accuses Barr of double standard for saying it’s unlikely DOJ will prosecute Obama, Biden

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump accused Attorney General William Barr on Monday of following a “double standard” by not following through with a criminal investigation into former President Barack Obama or Vice President Joe Biden.

“I have no doubt that they [Obama and Biden] were involved in this hoax,” Trump said during a White House event with restaurant industry executives. Earlier Monday, Barr said he didn’t expect that Obama or Biden would face charges stemming from a probe into the origins of the Russia investigation.

“I think it’s just a continuation of a double standard. I’m surprised by it,” Trump said, referring to Barr’s remarks. He did, however, stress that he entered the event with restaurant owners around the time Barr was making the statement.

Trump, without evidence, has accused the Obama administration of framing top officials in order to derail his presidency. He has called for the prosecution of those involved in the “biggest political crime and scandal” in U.S. history. Trump often uses the term “Obamagate” to reference the matter.

A Justice Department spokeswoman did not immediately comment when asked about Trump’s remark.

Trump’s comments came hours after Barr said he would not let U.S. Attorney John Durham’s review of the Russian probe, be used as a weapon to “drum up” illegitimate investigations.

“The legal tactic has been to gin up allegations of criminality by one’s political opponents, based on the flimsiest of legal theories,” Barr told reporters Monday during a news conference focused on the 2019 shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

“I have a general idea of how Mr. Durham’s investigation is going, and as I have indicated some aspects of the matter are being examined as potential crimes,” Barr explained. “Now, as to President Obama and Vice President Biden, whatever their level of involvement, based on the information I have today, I don’t expect Mr. Durham’s work will lead to a criminal investigation of either man,” he said.

Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/18/obama-biden-criminal-investigation-unlikely-attorney-general-barr-says.html