In a surprising turn of events, former Attorney General Bill Barr, who has previously voiced his disapproval of Donald Trump’s conduct, expressed his preference for the former president over current President Joe Biden in the potential 2024 election. Barr made these comments during a comprehensive interview on CNN’s “The Source” with Kaitlan Collins.
“Biden is unfit for office,” Barr stated, adding that he believes Trump would cause less harm than Biden. He further dismissed the notion that Trump poses a threat to democracy, instead pointing the finger at the progressive movement and the Biden administration.
Collins challenged Barr, reminding him of his previous criticisms of Trump, including allegations of election subversion and numerous criminal charges. Despite these concerns, Barr confirmed his support for the Republican ticket, even if it meant voting for Trump.
Barr painted a stark contrast between the two parties, asserting that the real threat to democracy lies with the left. He reiterated his belief that the progressive movement and the Biden administration pose a greater danger to democracy.
Interestingly, Barr’s stance towards Trump has softened since last year when he described Trump’s alleged election subversion as “nauseating” and “despicable”. He even suggested that such behavior should disqualify someone from the Oval Office.
When asked if the Biden administration’s actions were worse than Trump’s attempts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, Barr downplayed Trump’s actions, questioning their success. He admitted his discomfort with the situation but maintained that he would choose the “lesser of two evils”.
Barr defended Trump’s administration against accusations of lawlessness, praising its policies and court victories. His comments came a day after the Supreme Court heard arguments on presidential immunity in the election subversion case.
While Trump argues that his actions were part of his official duties and thus shielded from criminal liability, Barr disagreed. He expressed his desire for the case to have been tried before the election and called for clarity on where Trump crossed the line.
Despite being pressed for a direct answer, Barr avoided taking a definitive stance on whether Trump’s actions were criminal, stating that he would need to see all the evidence and the case litigated. He did, however, express his dissatisfaction with Trump’s post-election behavior.
Reporting by CNN’s Kaanita Iyer contributed to this story.