President Donald Trump is praising Attorney General William Barr after the Department of Justice (DOJ) overruled prosecutors on the sentencing recommendation for former Trump aide Roger Stone.
In an early-morning tweet on Wednesday, the president congratulated Barr “for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought.”
“Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought [and] tainted. Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress!” Trump added.
Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought. Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought & tainted. Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020
In another tweet early Wednesday, Trump wrote, “Two months in jail for a Swamp Creature, yet 9 years recommended for Roger Stone (who was not even working for the Trump Campaign). Gee, that sounds very fair! Rogue prosecutors maybe? The Swamp!”
In November of 2019, Stone was convicted on seven counts.
After the federal prosecutors recommended seven to nine years of prison time for Stone on Monday, the DOJ submitted a new recommendation on Tuesday, citing the other recommendation “would not be appropriate or serve the interests of justice in this case.”
All of the four prosecutors quit the Stone case after they were overruled.
The DOJ’s announcement of the decision came shortly after the president responded the recommendation by the prosecutors, labeling it “a horrible and very unfair situation.”
The news of the DOJ’s overruling has drawn push back from Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who suggested Trump “engaged in political interference in the sentencing of Roger Stone.”
“It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation,” she tweeted, adding, “Stepping down of prosecutors should be commended [and] actions of DOJ should be investigated.”
Additionally, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) tweeted, “It’s no coincidence that this sentencing change follows the president’s tweet this morning. Donald Trump’s administration is filled with corruption—and we must root it out.”
A DOJ spokesperson, however, told The Daily Beast the DOJ did not consult with the White House and the decision was not made in response to Trump’s tweet.
