Top Senate Democrats are demanding Attorney General William BarrWilliam Pelham BarrClapper: Barr’s spying claim ‘stunning and scary’ Dems sound alarm over top DOJ nominee Budowsky: Barr, Mueller, Rosenstein on trial MORE walk back his accusation that the Trump campaign was spied on by the FBI.
Barr sparked a political firestorm earlier Wednesday when he told senators that he believed “spying did occur” during the 2016 election and that he would be reviewing the probe of President TrumpDonald John TrumpKoch network launches ad campaign opposing Trump’s proposed gas tax Trump laments EU ‘being so tough’ on Brexit Inslee knocks Trump for wind turbine remarks MORE‘s campaign.
Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerDems see room for Abrams in crowded presidential field Border Dems introduce resolution condemning Trump’s closure threats Schumer responds to Biden allegation: ‘Voters will weigh the pros and cons’ MORE (D-N.Y.) accused Barr of “perpetuating conspiracy theories” during his testimony before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee. The hearing was scheduled to discuss the department’s budget but ultimately was dominated by questions about special counsel Robert MuellerRobert Swan MuellerSasse: US should applaud choice of Mueller to lead Russia probe MORE‘s probe.
“AG Barr must retract his statement immediately or produce specific evidence to back it up,” Schumer said in a tweet.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, added in a statement that Barr had “demanded himself” by “carelessly acting as a mouthpiece for President Trump’s conspiracy theories.”
“Attorney General Barr must retract his unfounded, irresponsible claim that American law enforcement ‘spied’ on the Trump Campaign. The only spies interfering in the 2016 campaign were Russian ones,” Blumenthal said.
He added that Barr’s comments have a “real, measurable impact on the lives and safety of our men and women in law enforcement. He owes them a retraction and an apology.”
Barr told senators on Wednesday that he was looking into the FBI’s investigation of members of Trump’s campaign and that he believes “spying” took place.
“The question is whether it was adequately predicated and I’m not suggesting it wasn’t adequately predicated, but I need to explore that,” he said.
Though Barr acknowledged that he did not have “specific evidence” that the FBI behaved improperly that he had “questions.”
He later attempted to clarify his initial remarks, saying he is concerned that “improper surveillance” may have taken place during the 2016 election.
“I am not saying that improper surveillance occurred,” he said. “I’m saying that I am concerned about it and looking into it. That’s all.”