President Donald Trump announced late on Monday afternoon that Attorney General William Barr will be stepping down from his position next week.
“Just had a very nice meeting with Attorney General Bill Barr at the White House,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “Our relationship has been a very good one, he has done an outstanding job!”
“As per letter, Bill will be leaving just before Christmas to spend the holidays with his family,” Trump continued. “Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen, an outstanding person, will become Acting Attorney General. Highly respected Richard Donoghue will be taking over the duties of Deputy Attorney General. Thank you to all!”
…Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen, an outstanding person, will become Acting Attorney General. Highly respected Richard Donoghue will be taking over the duties of Deputy Attorney General. Thank you to all! pic.twitter.com/V5sqOJT9PM
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2020
“I appreciate the opportunity to update you this afternoon on the Department’s review of the voter fraud allegations in the 2020 election and how these allegations will continue to be pursued,” Barr wrote in a letter. “At a time when the country is so deeply divided, it is incumbent on all levels of government, and all agencies acting within their purview, to do all we can to assure the integrity of elections and promote public confidence in their outcome.”
“I am greatly honored that you called on me to serve your Administration and the American people once again as Attorney General,” Barr continued. “I am proud to have played a role in the many successes and unprecedented achievements you have delivered for the American people. Your record is all the more historic because you accomplished it in the face of relentless, implacable resistance. Your 2016 victory speech in which you reached out to your opponents and called for working together for the benefit of the American people was immediately met be a partisan onslaught against you in which no tactic, no matter how abusive and deceitful, was out of bounds. The nadir of this campaign was the effort to cripple, if not oust, your Administration with frenzied and baseless accusations of collusion with Russia.”
“Few could have weathered these attacks, much less forge ahead with a positive program for the country,” Barr continued. “You built the strongest and most resilient economy in American history — one that has brought unprecedented progress to those previously left out. You have restored American military strength. By brokering historic peace deals in the Mideast you have achieved what most thought impossible. You have curbed illegal immigration and enhanced the security of our nation’s borders. You have advanced the rule of law by appointing a record number of judges committed to constitutional principles. With Operation Warp Speed, you delivered a vaccine for coronavirus on a schedule no one thought conceivable — a feat that will undoubtedly save millions of lives.”
Barr also noted the Trump administration’s work in cracking down on Mexican drug cartels and Chinese exploitation of the American economy.
“As discussed, I will spend the next week wrapping up a few remaining matters important to the Administration and depart on December 23rd,” the letter concluded. “Wishing you, Melania, and your family a Merry Christmas and a Blessed Holiday Season. God Bless.”