House Judiciary Hearing on Justice Department Oversight
Current and former Justice Department officials testified at an oversight hearing on the actions of Attorney General William Barr and department investigation decisions. Aaron Zelinsky said there was “heavy pressure from the highest levels of the Department of Justice” to give Roger Stone, a President Trump political ally, leniency in his sentencing recommendation. John Elias said Mr. Barr ordered numerous antitrust investigations into the cannabis industry, against the recommendations of career staffers, because he did not like the companies' underlying business. Donald Ayer also voiced his concerns with the current leadership of the department, saying, “I am here because I believe that William Barr poses the greatest threat in my lifetime to our rule of law and to public trust in it.” Michael Mukasey, however, said he believes Mr. Barr is committed to the rule of law, and dismissed accusations of political bias within the department.
