Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) told Hill.TV during an appearance on “Rising” that Attorney General William Barr “twisted himself into a pretzel” trying to defend President Trump and avoid perjuring himself during his Senate testimony on Wednesday.
“I was really disappointed, I suggested a couple of weeks ago that he should think about resigning but after yesterday when it was so clear that he was the president’s advocate and lawyer rather than the attorney general for the people of the United States,” Beyer said on Thursday.
“He just twisted himself into a pretzel trying to avoid answering the good, clear questions of the senators,” he continued, adding that the testimony was “painful to watch.”
Barr sparred with Democratic senators on Wednesday during his first public testimony since the release of the Mueller report.
At the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, the attorney general sought to explain his handling of the Mueller report and defend himself against accusations from Democrats that he misled Congress.
The attorney general was expected for a second day of testimony in front of the House Judiciary Committee but he later canceled his scheduled appearance.
In response, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) warned that Barr could be subject to a future subpoena to testify.
Democrats, meanwhile, are calling for Barr’s resignation.
Beyer said even though impeaching the attorney general would be a distraction, he said he agreed with fellow Democrats and called for the attorney general to resign.
“I don’t think we should impeach Barr, I think that’s a distraction right now,” he said. “Yes, I do think he should resign but I don’t think he probably will.”
—Tess Bonn
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