Notable
Over at CTH sundance takes note of the DoJ announcement
of its anti-trust suit against Google.
What's notable about that?
What's notable is that the post titled "It Begins", and it's clear that the meaning is: The takedown of the Deep State begins. Google arose from the Deep State and the support of Big Tech exponentially enhances the power of the Deep State. Sundance gets that.
What's even more notable is that sundance quotes AG Barr's statement and offers ZERO SNARK directed at Barr. Zero juvenile sniping about bagpipes. Apparently he understands how much
effort it took for Barr to overcome the institutional resistance to this action--resistance of career DoJ lawyers whom Barr could not simply fire.
I read every single comment that appears on this blog, and enable them one by one. I've seen all the usual opinions: Barr is just defending "the institutions." That kinda stuff. I repeat: Barr's loyalty is not to DoJ per se but to the unitary executive. Those who think otherwise haven't paid attention to the various addresses that Barr has delivered during his current tenure.
I get it that people are upset that The Swamp wasn't drained a year ago. Established defensive positions cannot be overcome that easily. Contrary to popular opinion, Barr has been an activist AG on any number of fronts--this anti-trust suit is just the most recent and most visible example.
Nobody's perfect. I'm upset with Barr's handling of the Biden investigation--as I understand it. I may be wrong in my understanding, and I hope I am. Nevertheless, the extent of the scandal is public. It's an existential threat to our constitutional order and, as such, I believe Barr needs to address it publicly. Nevertheless, any misstep here should not obscure Barr's many achievements. He has time still to regain his footing on the Biden issue.
I think Trump understands that. I attribute his remarks yesterday and this morning to that understanding. He called Barr a fair and honest man. Barr's other qualities, his legal abilities and his ability to go to the mat with an entrenched bureaucracy and come out on top, are on display today in this action against Google. It wasn't easy.
Trump, in my view, gets that and is grateful. How many fair and honest officers of Barr's stature does Trump have, people he can actually trust, even if he sometimes disagrees with them? I'm sure they can be counted on one hand.
We do well to remember this.