Berman backed Barr into appointing a replacement who is far more of a DOJ lifer than he was.
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) June 20, 2020
Barr just threw the SDNY investigations out of the frying pan and into the fire.
And now Berman is free to speak. https://t.co/6AlCwooXOx
Will Barr now interpret this to be a “resignation” by Berman and use this opportunity to replace Strauss with someone of his choice in the near future? https://t.co/HhJ0jdpMLY
— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) June 20, 2020
Geoff Berman has agreed to leave. Thank you for your service to the country. Despite challenges, the fine people at SDNY will continue the long tradition of integrity and independence under Audrey Strauss. Let’s all wish her well. 🙏 https://t.co/9KRgUOeObn
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) June 20, 2020
BREAKING: Geoffrey Berman says he will step down as U.S. attorney in Manhattan, in light of Attorney General William Barr's decision to name Berman's deputy, Audrey Strauss, as acting U.S. attorney. [More] https://t.co/vNi4numDkv
— Benjamin Weiser (@BenWeiserNYT) June 20, 2020
Geoff Berman says he’s leaving: pic.twitter.com/nY5rdCnaRQ
— Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) June 20, 2020
.@RepJerryNadler announces the House Judiciary Committee will open an investigation into the Berman/SDNY firing: pic.twitter.com/mVNfe8aZoR
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) June 20, 2020
Barr says Trump has now fired Berman. This, Barr says, is authorized by 241(c). Notably, however, Barr has shifted, and is allowing the Deputy US Attorney to serve as the Acting US Attorney — and not, as per last night’s release, the NJ US Attorney. https://t.co/I73mOZtFAZ
— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) June 20, 2020
Yes, Trump is saying he's not involved, and that's the only way Berman can be removed. Barr is a wannabe President, but he's not the President. As I read the law, Berman is still the US Attorney for SDNY. https://t.co/FAJpSZNGmc
— Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) June 20, 2020
Barr CAN’T legally remove Berman as SDNY US Attorney because Berman was installed by federal judges in NY when Trump failed to nominate & have confirmed a US Attorney for SDNY. Let’s see if Trump now tries to fire Berman. If he does, it’s a sign of extreme desperation & coverup.
— Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) June 20, 2020
Many things about this Barr letter
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) June 20, 2020
1. It says Berman must vacate today
2. It retreats from bizarre appointment of the NJ US attorney to lead both DNJ & SDNY https://t.co/jDAiPzJEpx
Now: Trump just said that "I am not involved" in firing of US Attorney Berman SDNY – saying it's up to AG Barr not him. This plays right into Berman's hands if Berman wants to contest Barr's authority.
— Shanlon Wu (@shanlonwu) June 20, 2020
As we ask why Trump and Barr want to fire Geoffrey Berman from SDNY, we should consider this: It’s possible that there’s an entirely new investigation that we don’t know about yet. That Trump and Barr don’t want to go forward.
— Anne Milgram (@AnneMilgram) June 20, 2020
Given Senator Schumer’s call for Jay Clayton to withdraw from SDNY consideration, this announcement by Senator Graham means Clayton’s nomination is dead on arrival https://t.co/7fCnZF7gsw
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) June 20, 2020
Sad! 