In yet another attempt to oust a US Attorney and gain even more control over the Department of Justice, President Donald Trump’s top minion Attorney General Bill Barr claimed that U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman resigned from his position at the Southern District of New York (SDNY).
The announcement came as that office continues to investigate Trump’s misconduct in office along with open investigations into Rudy Giuliani, Lev Parnas, and Jeffrey Epstein that could all reveal damning information about Trump and his crimes.
The only problem is that Berman did not resign as Barr claimed.
“I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning my position,” Berman wrote in a statement. “I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption.”
It turns out that because Berman was appointed as “Acting” U.S. Attorney at SDNY by the judges of the district, he can only be removed after the Senate confirms his replacement. And replacing him got a whole lot more difficult since Barr suspiciously tried to fire him without just cause by lying in writing.
Legal experts, including many who served at SDNY, expressed their horror at what Barr and Trump just tried to do.
So why did you fire Berman? Did it have something to do with his investigation of Giuliani?
— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) June 20, 2020
Does Berman’s firing have something to do with the growing possibility that you won’t be the sitting president in January, 2021 @realDonaldTrump?
Former presidents can be indicted.
— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) June 20, 2020
Barr lied in writing about firing a US Attorney.
— Mimi Rocah (@Mimirocah1) June 20, 2020
This is insane.
SDNY is the last bastion of DOJ independence and now even it has been breached. https://t.co/ecIy9F2Ur3
— Elie Honig (@eliehonig) June 20, 2020
One thing the Berman controversy highlights is Trump’s massive circumvention of the Constitutional requirement that the Senate vote to confirm his key appointments. There are acting officials all across govt. https://t.co/2dvisRO9Ui
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) June 20, 2020
As we discuss the Friday Night Massacre at DOJ, keep in mind that the AG baldly lied, again: “I learned in a press release from the Attorney General tonight that I was ‘stepping down’ as United States Attorney,” Berman said. “I have not resigned & have no intention of resigning.”
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) June 20, 2020
Barr announced SDNY US Atty Berman was stepping down, and now Berman has denied it. More to come, but one thing is clear – Barr is a liar doing Trump’s bidding. Discussing on @amjoyshow with @JoyceWhiteVance at 10 am ET on @MSNBC. https://t.co/vS64mFracb
— Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) June 20, 2020
Let me be stronger here. Berman “stepping down” is bullshit. He was fired. https://t.co/mqd9VcYd00
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) June 20, 2020
Why does a president get rid of his own hand-picked US Attorney in SDNY on a Friday night, less than 5 months before the election?
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) June 20, 2020
Berman’s resignation is not typical. When SDNY USA’s step down (or are fired in Preet’s case), their deputy takes over. Going to DNJ for the acting USA is a sign that Trump/Barr did not want anyone at SDNY running the office — likely because there was a serious disagreement.
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) June 20, 2020
This attempt to fire Berman really stinks and Congress should be sending out subpoenas to Berman and Barr to testify. While Barr would likely refuse, nothing prevents Berman from testifying and what he has to say could be damning. Clearly, Trump and his sycophants are targeting SDNY in yet another attempt to obstruct justice.
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