Bill Barr, the former Attorney General under the administration of President Donald Trump, has made a startling assessment of the legal jeopardy faced by his ex-boss. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Barr expressed his belief that if even half of the allegations outlined in the federal indictment containing 37 criminal counts against Trump were true, the former president would be in serious trouble.
Barr’s analysis aligned with that of Fox News legal contributor Andy McCarthy, whose assessment he cited and concurred with during the interview. The former Attorney General emphasized the level of detail and damning evidence presented in the indictment, painting a bleak picture for Trump’s legal prospects.
In a departure from his past role as Trump’s advocate, Barr forcefully rejected the idea that Trump was a victim of political persecution. He acknowledged that while he had defended the former president against phony claims in the past, this case was entirely different. Barr dismissed Trump’s assertion of his right to possess and retain sensitive documents, asserting that they should have been in the custody of the archivist. He made it clear that Trump had no legal grounds to maintain such documents.
Addressing the strained relationship between himself and Trump, Barr acknowledged the existing animosity but highlighted instances where he had supported the former president. He specifically mentioned his defense of Trump during the Russia-gate investigation and his criticism of the Manhattan District Attorney’s alleged politicized actions. By citing his past support for Trump, Barr aimed to underscore the gravity of the current case, emphasizing that his stance was not driven by personal grievances but by a genuine belief in the need for accountability.
Barr further argued that the government had acted responsibly in attempting to retrieve the documents in question, placing the blame squarely on Trump for his irresponsible actions. While acknowledging the tension between them, Barr asserted that this particular episode went beyond personal conflicts and represented a clear instance where Trump had acted against the best interests of the country.
“If even half of it is true, he is toast,” Barr said. “I mean, it’s a very detailed indictment, and it’s very, very damning.
“This idea of presenting Trump as a victim here or a victim of a witch hunt is ridiculous,” Barr said. “Yes, he’s been a victim in the past. His adversaries have obsessively pursued him with phony claims. And I’ve been at his side defending against them when he is a victim. But this is much different. He’s not a victim here. He was totally wrong that he had the right to have those documents. Those documents are among the most sensitive secrets that the country has. They have to be in the custody of the archivist. He had no right to maintain them and retain them.”
