President Trump commended Attorney General William Barr for stepping in after prosecutors recommended that his associate Roger Stone be sentenced to nearly a decade behind bars.
On Wednesday morning, Trump tweeted, “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!”
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 a second tweet, the president credited Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who called Stone’s ruling a “farce,” tweeting, “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!”
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! @foxandfriends @TuckerCarlson
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020
The Department of Justice announced on Tuesday, the day after federal prosecutors called for Stone to serve seven to nine years in prison, that it would be discarding that sentencing recommendation for a more lenient punishment. Trump also withdrew his nomination of former U.S. attorney Jessie Liu, who supervised the case against Stone, for a top appointment to the Treasury Department, leaving room for Barr to take control of legal matters of personal interest to the president.
Before the department stepped in, Trump had called Stone’s sentence a “very unfair situation,” and added that he “cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!” However, the president said that he did not discuss the sentencing with Barr or other officials in the department before the announcement on walking back the sentencing recommendation was made.
Following the department’s announcement, three prosecutors tied to Robert Mueller’s investigation abruptly withdrew from the case. Two of the prosecutors resigned from their positions as U.S. attorneys entirely, while one just removed himself from the case.
Last November, Stone, 67, was found guilty on seven charges related to his behavior during the 2016 election and the Mueller investigation that followed. Among other wrongdoings, Stone lied to Congress about his alleged communication with WikiLeaks. His new sentence will be decided on Feb. 20 by Judge Amy Jackson, the Obama appointee who oversaw his trial.
