AG Nominee William Barr Faces Senate Judiciary at Confirmation Hearing

A reporter asked Feinstein: “And so you see this as a pretty easy road for him to confirmation?”

Feinstein: “Oh I think so. We’ll see.”

Feinstein asks Barr about his past remarks on enhanced interrogation. 

Feinstein: "Do you believe that torture is ever lawful?"

Barr: "No."

Now Booker essentially calling Barr a racist for daring to bring up violence in Chicago

Why is Cory Booker complaining about Barr wanting to lock up violent criminals illegally using guns?

Booker challenges Barr on whether he believes there's racism in the criminal justice system.

He has so far got the thumbs up from Feinstein.

Feinstein on Barr confirmation hearing: "I think it has gone very well. He candidate is answering questions and is doing well. The questions cover a wide range." Feinstein on if she thinks the Senate will confirm Barr easily as AG: "I think so."

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 15, 2019

Sen. Cory Booker now asks Barr about mass incarceration. The two are sparring over the statistics.

Roamin' Hands Spartacus (Cory Booker) speaks 

Sen. Kennedy: Do you think being a Roman Catholic disqualifies you from serving in Congress? Because some of my colleagues do...

Sen. Kennedy: "What do you intend to do about the leaks?"

Barr: Punish those who are responsible, exercise more discipline, etc.

Welp....it looks like Mazie Hirono and the rest of the Democrats are "no" votes on AG Nominee Barr 

Shocked?! Shocked..i say.

Blumenthal asks Barr: "Would you defend Roe v. Wade if it were challenged?"

Sen. Blumenthal demanding assurances from Barr that Congress will be notified of changes to his special counsel report.

Barr: If I was ever asked to do something unlawful I would resign.

Something you don't often see in Congress: @SenAngusKing, Independent of Maine, has been sitting in the audience for much of Bill Barr's confirmation hearing today just listening.(@JoaquinCastrotx was here briefly, as well.)

— Nicholas Fandos (@npfandos) January 15, 2019

Barr: "I have no reason to doubt the Russians interfered in our elections."

Barr says he wants to make sure "the fixation on Russia not obscure the danger from China."

Sen. Ben Sasse asks Barr: Is Putin a friend or a foe?

Barr: The Russians are a potent rival of our country. His foreign policy objectives are usually directly contrary to our goals.

Sen. Coons asks Barr: What if the president asks you to change the special counsel regulations and fire Mueller?

Barr: I think the regulations should stay in place for the course of this investigation.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) notes how in the Obama admin the IRS abused its power and targeted certain conservative groups. He asks if Barr will examine that conduct and hold relevant people to account.

"Free speech is at the core of our system," Barr says.