Former US Attorney General Bill Barr has advised against putting former President Donald Trump on the stand if his criminal case goes to trial, citing Trump’s lack of self-control. Barr also criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for abusing the functions of prosecution and interfering in a federal election process.
The Danger of Politically-Charged Cases
Barr warned that politically-charged cases like Trump’s indictment set a dangerous precedent for other district attorneys to pursue federal candidates and officeholders. He said this trend would lead to the erosion of trust in institutions and an increase in political polarization.
Asa Hutchinson Calls for Withdrawal from 2024 Presidential Race
Meanwhile, Asa Hutchinson, former Governor of Arkansas, called on Trump to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race for the sake of the office of presidency. Speaking with ABC’s “This Week,” Hutchinson said that Trump was an individual who was more important than the office he seeks, and withdrawing would show that he respects the law and institutions of the United States.
Hutchinson acknowledged that Trump will not withdraw from the race and ultimately leaves it up to voters to decide. However, he argued that Trump running for office while under indictment would create instability and further divide the country.
The Hush Money Payment Investigation
Trump is expected to be arraigned in a New York City court after being indicted last week for his role in a hush money scandal dating back to his 2016 campaign. Prosecutors allege that two women were paid a total of $280,000 as hush money before the election to prevent them from disclosing their alleged affairs with Trump.
The case against Trump is expected to relate specifically to one of these payments: a $130,000 sum given to porn actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the election. Prosecutors will argue that this was an improper donation to the Trump campaign, which helped his candidacy during the 2016 election.
Barr Slams Indictment, Calls Case a “Lousy Case”
Barr, who served as Trump’s attorney general, slammed the indictment against Trump and called it an abuse of the judicial system for political purposes. In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Barr said that the case is held together by “chicken wire, paper clips, and rubber bands” and is a lousy case.
Barr also said there is nothing inherently wrong or illegal about making a hush payment, and that the case lacks any legal basis. He accused Bragg of stepping into federal boundaries with the charges and interfering in a federal election process.
Different Perspectives on the Case
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie took a more nuanced approach, saying that while there are legitimate questions about Bragg’s conduct, Trump should be criticized for his treatment of institutions. Christie said Trump undermined American institutions such as the judiciary and Congress during his presidency.
On the other hand, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg defended his office’s investigation into the hush money payment. Bragg accused House Republicans of “unlawful political interference” in an ongoing criminal case after they demanded to see documents and testimony in Trump’s case.
Trump’s spokesman did not immediately respond to comments made by Barr on whether he would testify in court. However, given Trump’s history of pushing back against criticism and resisting legal proceedings, it remains unclear whether he will heed Barr’s advice against testifying in court.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
