CREW requests DOJ records on Barr’s trip to Italy

CREW requested records from the Department of Justice on Attorney General William Barr’s travels related to John Durham’s review of the origin of the government’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections. Specifically, CREW requested records on the total cost of trips to Italy that Barr might have taken for the investigation. 

There are already serious concerns about Barr’s involvement in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference which merit him recusing himself from matters related to the investigation. Particularly, it is concerning that Barr tasked Durham with investigating the origins of DOJ’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election and coordination with the Trump campaign, even though the Department of Justice has already conducted other  investigations into the issue. Additionally, the four-page letter Barr issued to Congress purporting to summarize the Mueller Report reeks of impropriety with its apparent attempt to skew public opinion in favor of Trump, casting doubt on his impartiality in matters related to the Mueller investigation. 

Reportedly in pursuit of information that could help discredit the Mueller investigation, Barr traveled to Italy to conduct his own meetings. Barr’s trip to Italy is just the latest expense to be paid for on the taxpayer’s dime. The public deserves to know just how much money Barr and Durham have spent on an investigation that Barr should have recused himself from already.