Blumenthal: DOJ denying Dems meetings with AG nominee Barr, citing shutdown | TheHill – The Hill

Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), claimed Wednesday that the Justice Department (DOJ) is denying Senate Democrats meetings with William Barr, President TrumpDonald John TrumpDem strategist says party’s leaders struggle to relate to Americans Mexican president staying out of wall debate, calling it an internal US matter China vows to buy ‘substantial amount’ of American goods and services, US trade agency says MORE‘s nominee for attorney general, due to the partial government shutdown.

Blumenthal in a statement on Wednesday called Barr’s “refusal” to meet with Democrats “unprecedented and unacceptable.” 

“William Barr’s refusal to meet with Democratic Senators on the Judiciary Committee is entirely unprecedented and unacceptable,” Blumenthal said in a statement sent to The Hill. “The Department of Justice’s attempt to excuse this gross break in the norms by citing a ‘truncated schedule’ is galling when they are the ones who have rushed it.”

Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharSenate Democrats hold talkathon to protest partial shutdown Press: White House not only for white males The reality check Democrats need to win in 2020 MORE (D-Minn.) said late Wednesday that she was also unable to get a meeting with Barr due to the shutdown.

“I tried (as did Blumenthal) to get meeting w/AG nominee Barr and was told he couldn’t meet until AFTER the hearing. The reason given? The shutdown,” Klobuchar tweeted. “Yet shutdown didn’t stop him from other mtgs. This is a 1st for me w/any nominee as a member of judiciary.”

I tried (as did Blumenthal) to get meeting w/AG nominee Barr and was told he couldn’t meet until AFTER the hearing. The reason given? The shutdown. Yet shutdown didn’t stop him from other mtgs. This is a 1st for me w/any nominee as a member of judiciary. #Uncool #BadSign

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 10, 2019

Sen. Dianne FeinsteinDianne Emiel FeinsteinFeinstein blasts Trump’s ’empty threat’ to withhold FEMA funding from California Elected leaders who weaponize religion are playing a dangerous game ‘We Can Do It!’: Women and bipartisanship MORE (Calif.), the panel’s top Democrat, is scheduled to speak with Barr on Thursday, her spokeswoman told The Washington Post. A spokesperson for Sen. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahyBorder lawmakers press Trump to beef up existing security Both sides play blame game on first day of shutdown Senate approves funding bill, preventing partial government shutdown MORE (D-Vt.) told The Hill that he is also expected to meet with Barr on Thursday.

The Hill has reached out to other Senate Judiciary Democrats and the DOJ for comment. 

DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told the Post that Barr is meeting with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle “despite the holidays, reduced DOJ staff and resources due to the partial government shutdown, and the compressed timeline to prepare for the upcoming hearing.”

The DOJ is one of the agencies affected by the partial government shutdown, which began on Dec. 22 and impacts roughly 25 percent of the government. Emails and phone calls to the DOJ from The Hill received responses that the department is currently unable to reply to inquiries due to the shutdown.

“My Republican colleagues should share my outrage at this appalling violation of the Senate’s independent authority,” Blumenthal said in his statement.

The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold hearings next week for Barr.

Democrats have roundly criticized the nominee over a memo he wrote last year criticizing special counsel Robert MuellerRobert Swan MuellerSasse: US should applaud choice of Mueller to lead Russia probe MORE‘s Russia investigation. Barr, in a memo to the White House, said Mueller’s probe into possible obstruction of justice by Trump was based on a “fatally misconceived” theory.

Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerDem strategist says party’s leaders struggle to relate to Americans Pelosi, Schumer response tops Trump speech in preliminary ratings Immigration judge warns cases are at standstill due to government shutdown MORE (D-N.Y.) has called for Trump to withdraw Barr’s nomination over the memo, as Democrats claim it is disqualifying because it displays bias against Mueller.

Barr met with Republican senators on Wednesday. The Judiciary Committee’s new chairman Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamGraham: Trump’s AG nominee Barr will let Mueller probe finish Graham says Barr will allow Mueller to complete investigation GOP seeks health care reboot after 2018 losses MORE (R-S.C.) after he left the meeting said Barr has a “very high opinion of Mr. Mueller and he is committed to letting Mr. Mueller finish his job.” 

“He’s got some concerns about turning the firing of a political appointee into an obstruction-of-justice case, and I share those concerns,” Graham told reporters. “But that’s his opinion as a private citizen. As an attorney general, his job is to receive Mr. Mueller’s report.”

— Updated 11:30 p.m.