The House Judiciary Committee is currently holding a hearing with Attorney General Bill Barr–and it quickly became a political battle.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler accused Barr of having federal officers deploy “pepper spray and truncheons” against protesters to help Donald Trump run a “law and order” campaign.

Nadler said, “The president wants footage for his campaign ads, and you appear to be serving it up to him as ordered. The protesters aren’t mobs, they’re mothers, they’re veterans and mayors.”

He accused Barr on using federal officers to create tension. “Shame on you Mr. Barr,” Nadler said.

Barr responded by asking the Democrats in the room, “Since when is it OK to burn down a federal courthouse?”

“We’re not out looking for trouble.”

Bill Barr defends federal law enforcement actions in Portland, Oregon: “Federal courts are under attack. Since when is it okay to try to burn down a federal court?” https://t.co/TtCZXxSTLG pic.twitter.com/s2hrpAZRdA

— ABC News (@ABC) July 28, 2020

Republicans came to Barr’s defense. “Wow. I’m beginning to believe that you’re the cause of the common cold, and possibly even the COVID-19 because everything’s being thrown at you.”

The hearing is ongoing and can be viewed live on Twitter.

This piece was written by Objectivist Staff on July 28, 2020. It originally appeared in Objectivist.co and is used by permission.

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