Thread: Bill Barr’s political and legal ideology is the driving force behind Trump’s assault on democracy

Bill Bar believes that the Constitution invites the Executive and Legislative Branches to engage in a power struggle using all means at their disposal.

Barr believes that the Legislative Branch’s only weapons in this fight are the power of the purse and the power to remove the President from office. Congress can deny him funds to force him to do what they want, or hold him in check by threatening to remove him from office.

On the other side of Barr’s equation, he believes that, under Article 2 of the Constitution, POTUS has complete control over the Executive Branch. He can break the federal laws with impunity and can shut down any federal investigation of his crimes.

And not only can POTUS shut down federal investigations. Under Barr’s version of the Unitary Executive Theory, POTUS can command federal law enforcement investigations into his political adversaries, even if his intent is solely to advance his own political interests.

Barr also believes POTUS can bribe, extort, and intimidate members of Congress into supporting him and agreeing not to remove him from office. After all, POTUS is immune from criminal investigation, at least while in office.

And that last point is key. Although Barr believes POTUS can break federal law while in office, Barr’s theory doesn’t shield POTUS once he leaves office. So, if he embarks down the road of lawlessness, the only way to avoid prosecution is to remain in power.

Which is why Barr and Trump are now desperate to stay in power. They know they are going to prison if removed from power, so they must finish the job now. They will do everything they can to cheat in this election. And, if they fail, they will arrange for pardons on the way out.

To deter state investigations, Barr and Trump believe states can be intimidated and blackmailed. Need ventilators? Well, you’d better be sufficiently loyal and get your ass in line quick or you’ll end up like New York. You don’t want to end up like New York, do you governor?

Trump is lawless and Barr is here to defend and enable him. Together they are preparing to steal the 2020 election and avoid prosecution for their treachery. It’s up to us to vote them out.