Politics
Barr to be a no-show for House hearing, stepping up tensions
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr has informed lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee that he will skip a hearing on special counsel Robert Mueller’s report, escalating an already acrimonious battle between Democrats and the Justice Department.
Barr’s decision — he cites a disagreement over the questioning — came the same day the department missed a committee deadline to provide the panel with a full, unredacted version of Mueller’s Russia report and its underlying evidence. Those moves are likely to prompt a vote on holding Barr in contempt, and possibly the issuance of subpoenas — bringing House Democrats and the Trump administration closer to a prolonged battle in court.
Even though Barr informed the panel he isn’t coming Thursday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said he will still convene the hearing, raising the prospect of an empty witness chair.
“I hope and expect the attorney general will think overnight and will be there as well,” Nadler said.
As Barr refused to testify, Democrats sought to speak to Mueller himself. Nadler said the panel hoped the special counsel would appear before the committee on May 15 and the panel was “firming up the date.”
The attorney general’s cancellation meant he would avoid another round of sharp questioning after testifying Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Democrats on the panel charged that Barr was protecting President Donald Trump after he assessed Mueller’s report on his own and declared there wasn’t enough evidence that Trump had committed obstruction of justice. Mueller didn’t charge Trump with obstruction, but wrote that he couldn’t exonerate him, either.
The standoff with Justice Department is one of several fights House Democrats are waging with the Trump administration. Trump has vowed to fight “all of the subpoenas” as multiple committees have sought to speak with administration officials or obtain documents relevant to his policies and finances. Democrats have signaled they won’t back down and will take the steps necessary — including in court — to get the White House to comply.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she’s not interested in impeachment, for the moment. But she told The Associated Press on Wednesday that “the threat of impeachment is always there.”
Nadler, D-N.Y., and the Justice Department traded barbs shortly after Barr informed lawmakers of his decision on the hearing, with Nadler saying the attorney general is “trying to blackmail the committee” by setting his own terms. Barr had objected to the format of the hearing after Democrats decided to let staff attorneys conduct a round of questioning after lawmakers were done.
Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said the staff questioning is “unprecedented and unnecessary.”
Also weighing in on the matter of who would ask questions was Trump. “They want to treat him differently than they have anybody else,” the president told Fox Business Network’s Trish Regan on Wednesday night, adding, “You elect people that are supposed to be able to do their own talking.” Trump said he heard that Barr had performed “incredibly well” before the Senate panel.
It’s unclear whether Barr will eventually negotiate an appearance with the House panel. Nadler said he would not issue a subpoena for Barr’s appearance on Thursday but would first focus on getting the full Mueller report, likely including a vote holding Barr in contempt of Congress.
While a contempt vote would make a strong statement, it is unlikely to force the Justice Department to hand over the report. A vote of the full House on contempt would send a criminal referral to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia — a Justice Department official who is likely to defend the administration’s interests. But even if the U.S. attorney declines to prosecute, Democrats could pursue other avenues in court.
In a letter sent to the committee late Wednesday, Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd laid out a list of reasons that the department won’t provide the full Mueller report or all the underlying evidence. Boyd said the special counsel’s investigative files include “millions of pages of classified and unclassified documents, bearing upon more than two dozen criminal cases and investigations, many of which are ongoing.” Boyd also reiterated that the department would not disclose secret grand jury material, another battle that could end up in court if Nadler decides to fight it.
The Justice Department has already made a less-redacted version of the report available for a small number of lawmakers, including Nadler and Pelosi, but Democrats have so far declined to read it, saying they want the entire report released to a wider audience.
Republicans have objected to Nadler’s demands and say the staff questioning is unnecessary. They argue that Democrats are trying to have impeachment hearings without going through the official process of impeachment.
“Chairman Nadler sabotaged his own hearing,” Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., said after Barr canceled. “That’s sad. Because now Republicans and Democrats are not going to be able to question Bill Barr.”
Central Florida News
Rick Singh, Roberta Walton Johnson Face Off in Orange County Clerk Race After Maribel Gómez Cordero Withdraws
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — The race for Orange County Clerk of Courts has entered a new chapter following Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gómez Cordero’s withdrawal, leaving voters with a head-to-head contest between former Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh and Orange County Clerk of Courts General Counsel Roberta Walton Johnson.
With incumbent Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell running for Orange County mayor, voters will elect a new clerk for the first time in more than a decade. The race now presents a choice between two candidates with different backgrounds but significant public-sector experience.
While recent headlines have focused on lawsuits and campaign controversies, both candidates are expected to spend the final weeks making their case on qualifications, leadership and their vision for one of Orange County’s most important constitutional offices.
An Open Constitutional Office
The Orange County Clerk of Courts serves as clerk to the courts and County Commission, custodian of public records, county recorder and chief financial officer for numerous court-related functions. The office oversees billions of dollars in transactions annually while providing services to residents, businesses and the judicial system.
With the field narrowed to two candidates, voters will compare experience, leadership and each candidate’s ability to manage a large countywide office.
Rick Singh: Former Countywide Constitutional Officer
Rick Singh previously served as Orange County Property Appraiser, leading one of Florida’s largest property appraisal offices.
Throughout his tenure, Singh emphasized technological modernization, operational efficiency, transparency and customer service.
His campaign highlights:
- Executive leadership of a countywide constitutional office.
- Experience managing large budgets and personnel.
- Technology modernization initiatives.
- Increased public access to government services.
- Fiscal accountability and operational efficiency.
Singh argues his experience managing a constitutional office prepares him to immediately lead the Clerk’s Office.
Roberta Walton Johnson: Clerk’s Office Legal Leader
Roberta Walton Johnson serves as General Counsel for the Orange County Clerk of Courts, where she advises the office on legal matters, compliance, public records and government operations.
Her campaign emphasizes:
- Extensive institutional knowledge.
- Legal and administrative experience.
- Continuity of leadership.
- Public records compliance.
- Customer service and operational stability.
Johnson says her experience inside the Clerk’s Office positions her to continue serving residents with minimal disruption while building on existing operations.
Candidate Comparison
| Category | Rick Singh | Roberta Walton Johnson |
|---|---|---|
| Current/Public Position | Former Orange County Property Appraiser | General Counsel, Orange County Clerk of Courts |
| Executive Leadership | Led county constitutional office | Senior legal executive within Clerk’s Office |
| Countywide Election Experience | Yes | First countywide campaign |
| Government Experience | Constitutional office administration | Legal counsel and government compliance |
| Campaign Focus | Modernization, accountability, efficiency | Continuity, legal expertise, public service |
Campaign Priorities
Both candidates have emphasized many of the same core responsibilities expected of the next Clerk, including:
- Improving customer service.
- Modernizing technology.
- Protecting public records.
- Fiscal responsibility.
- Efficient court operations.
- Transparency and accountability.
- Expanding public access to Clerk services.
Their campaigns differ primarily in how they believe those goals should be achieved and which experiences best prepare them for the position.
Moving Beyond Campaign Controversies
Like several Orange County races this election cycle, the Clerk’s race has attracted attention beyond policy issues.
Singh has faced scrutiny over litigation and campaign disputes stemming from previous elections, while Walton Johnson has worked to address questions about a criminal case from more than 30 years ago.
During the campaign, Orange County sheriff candidate Bill Moore has repeatedly criticized Walton Johnson over her involvement as a young adult in a Georgia scheme involving stolen tax refund checks. Johnson did not serve prison time and has described the incident as a mistake she made as a naïve 20-year-old that carried lasting consequences. She says the experience changed the direction of her life, leading her to earn a law degree, build a successful legal career and ultimately serve as General Counsel for the Orange County Clerk of Courts.
Both candidates now appear focused on ensuring those controversies do not overshadow the central question facing voters: who is best prepared to manage one of Orange County’s largest constitutional offices.
Connecting With Voters Countywide
Unlike district races, candidates for Orange County Clerk of Courts must earn support from voters across the entire county.
Political observers say success will likely depend on each campaign’s ability to demonstrate:
- Leadership.
- Integrity.
- Administrative experience.
- Fiscal management.
- Transparency.
- Accessibility.
- A clear vision for improving public service.
Community forums, debates and voter outreach will provide opportunities for Singh and Walton Johnson to explain how their backgrounds prepare them to lead the Clerk’s Office.
Decision Before Voters
Following Gómez Cordero’s withdrawal, Orange County voters now face a clear choice between two candidates with different paths to public service.
Rick Singh brings executive experience leading a countywide constitutional office and has centered his campaign on modernization, efficiency and accountability.
Roberta Walton Johnson offers decades of legal experience within the Clerk’s Office, emphasizing continuity, institutional knowledge and her belief that personal redemption and professional achievement have prepared her for elected leadership.
As Election Day approaches, both candidates will seek to persuade voters that their experience, leadership and vision make them the best choice to succeed Tiffany Moore Russell as Orange County’s next Clerk of Courts.
Central Florida News
Commissioner Maribel Gómez Cordero Withdraws from Orange County Clerk of Courts Race Amid Legal Challenge
Florida3 days agoFormer Lawmaker Daisy Morales Calls for Florida Democratic Party Investigation of Ex-Chair Samuel Vilchez Santiago
Crimes and Courts3 days agoFamily of Corey Ruiz to Speak Publicly for First Time Alongside Attorney Ben Crump Following Fatal Madison Police Shooting
Business2 days agoEssence Magazine Co-Founder Jonathan Blount Dies at 84, Leaving Enduring Legacy in Civil Rights and Black Media
Politics3 days agoJack Reed, Tammy Duckworth Endorse Alex Vindman in Florida U.S. Senate Race as Campaign Momentum Grows
Florida3 days agoHouse Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Randy Fine Endorse Joe Strada for Congress
