The Meddler

From a starting point, it's helpful to know that America's attorney general almost never gets involved in reviewing or second-guessing an ongoing criminal prosecution. This is doubly so when defendants are friends and associates of a President.

Until now.

For at least the third time, it appears Donald Trump's attorney general William Barr is meddling in a criminal prosecution involving an associate of the President (details here). The linked article notes there may be more cases Barr has become involved in, too.

Between the Roger Stone prosecution and the Michael Flynn investigation, some critics are now saying Barr is attempting to undo the results of the Mueller investigation. Some pundits are even wondering if he's doing this in advance of a Trump pardon of those who have already been convicted in the Mueller probe — if charges are dropped against some, that may be an attempt to make it appear the convictions were somehow tainted.

Curiously, Barr was scrupulous about adhering to Department of Justice policies and precedents when it came to pursuing any charges against Trump growing out of the Mueller report. But when the shoe is on the other foot, when friends and associates of Trump have already been convicted, Barr is perfectly happy to discard Department of Justice policies and precedents.