DOJ Watchdog Accuses Barr of Mishandling 2020 Election Probe
- A Justice Department watchdog report reveals that former Attorney General Bill Barr, alongside a Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney, mismanaged the investigation into the 2020 election ballots.
- The findings indicate severe lapses in oversight and decision-making during this critical probe.
- This report raises questions about the integrity of the investigations carried out by the DOJ under Barr's leadership.
A recent report from the Justice Department's Inspector General has criticized former Attorney General Bill Barr and former U.S. Attorney David Freed for their handling of a criminal investigation into discarded mail-in ballots during the 2020 election. The 82-page document highlights how their actions contributed to the amplification of unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud by former President Donald Trump. The investigation stemmed from an incident in September 2020, where an employee in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, allegedly discarded nine ballots, which were later revealed to have been mishandled due to the individual's mental impairment. The report indicates that Barr and Freed's public statements regarding the investigation were not only premature but also misleading. Freed initially claimed that all nine discarded ballots were cast for Trump, later correcting this to seven for Trump and two unknown. The Inspector General noted that the details shared by Freed suggested intentional wrongdoing, despite the DOJ's awareness that the actions were likely accidental and not criminal. The report emphasizes that the DOJ's leadership was aware of this information but chose to withhold it from the public until after the election. While the Inspector General did not find evidence of misconduct, he expressed concern over Barr's direct communication with Trump about the investigation before any public disclosures were made. The report calls for reforms within the DOJ to clarify policies regarding public statements on ongoing investigations and interactions with the White House, aiming to prevent similar situations in the future.