Confirmation Hearing For AG Nominee William Barr Is Underway

The confirmation hearing for President Trump’s AG nominee, William Barr, is currently underway. I know this is super important stuff, but it’s been a snoozefest so far.

Here are the highlights.

WATCH NOW: William Barr, who served as attorney general under George H.W. Bush, faces a Senate confirmation hearing as he prepares to assume the role again under President Trump https://t.co/OIrC8EOGXY pic.twitter.com/VnovfxlT0q

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 15, 2019

AG nominee William Barr: "President Trump has sought no assurances, promises or commitments from me of any kind, either expressed or implied, and I have not given him any, other than I would run the department with professionalism and integrity" https://t.co/kR11APTjiL pic.twitter.com/ECTuZVaJZ5

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) January 15, 2019

Sen. Lindsey Graham: “Do you believe Attorney General Sessions had a conflict because he worked on the Trump campaign?”

Attorney General nominee William Barr: “I think he probably did the right thing recusing himself” from the Mueller investigation https://t.co/k1ufGVAubz pic.twitter.com/T0I2yCGNsU

— CNN (@CNN) January 15, 2019

"My thoughts are with the dedicated men and women of the Department of Justice and other federal workers, many of whom continue to perform the critical jobs," William Barr says at Senate confirmation hearing. https://t.co/OIrC8F6hPw pic.twitter.com/7sbaF2jW37

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 15, 2019

"We live in a time when the country is deeply divided," William Barr says. "In the current environment, the American people have to know that there are places in the government where the rule of law, not politics, holds sway." https://t.co/OIrC8F6hPw pic.twitter.com/SttxCD5brt

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 15, 2019

Barr, who initially did not want to pursue the attorney general position, changed his mind: "But ultimately, I agreed to serve because I believe strongly in public service, I revere the law, I love the Dept. of Justice and the dedicated professionals who serve there." pic.twitter.com/aqEDBv6QW4

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 15, 2019

Everyone has been wondering: Will Barr, if confirmed, try to put a stop to the Mueller investigation?

Short answer: No. He’s going to allow him to finish it.

If confirmed as AG, William Barr says special counsel will be allowed to finish investigation. "I believe it is in the best interest of everyone: President, Congress, and American people that this matter be a lot resolved by allowing the special counsel to finish his work." pic.twitter.com/lmLQvKc37N

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 15, 2019

"One of the reasons that I ultimately decided that I would accept this position, if it was offered to me, is because I feel I am in a position to be independent," attorney general nominee William Barr says. https://t.co/OIrC8EOGXY pic.twitter.com/H3HCAuhLGA

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 15, 2019

Also, Feinstein is being as ridiculous as usual.

Feinstein said Barr has said a president can "direct" DOJ to open a probe into political opponents

What Barr actually said: "There is nothing inherently wrong about a president calling for an investigation,” but it "shouldn’t be launched just because a president wants it."

— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) January 15, 2019

BARR: "It's the AG's responsibility to enforce the law evenhandedly. The AG must ensure that the enforcement of the law is above politics. Nothing could be more destructive of the rule of law than any toleration of political interference with the enforcement of the law." pic.twitter.com/oAGGNwiKCd

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 15, 2019

Everything so far could be summed up thusly:

Barr's opening message all aimed at reassuring skeptics: He'll allow Mueller probe to proceed, give Mueller time to finish, err on side of transparency in releasing the report, says he has given Trump no assurances on how he'll handle overseeing Mueller probe

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 15, 2019

"I don't believe Mr. Mueller to be involved in a witch hunt," says Bill Barr, breaking with President Trump.

Barr also breaks from Trump by discussing Jeff Sessions' recusal: "I think he probably did the right thing."

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 15, 2019

To be continued…