Barr has thrown himself in with Trump in ways unbecoming to the nation's highest legal official. His conduct in trying to clear Trump is of a piece with his baseless attacks on 'spying' by the FBI and his defiance of Congress's subpoenas.

In this quote, Neal Katyal, a legal scholar and former acting Solicitor General of the United States, critiques the actions of William Barr, the Attorney General during the Trump administration. Katyal accuses Barr of aligning himself too closely with Donald Trump in ways that are inappropriate for someone holding the position of the nation’s highest legal official. Katyal specifically references Barr’s efforts to clear Trump of legal wrongdoing and his unfounded attacks on the FBI regarding accusations of "spying." Additionally, Katyal points to Barr's defiance of Congress's subpoenas, suggesting that Barr's actions undermined the independence and integrity of the Justice Department.

Katyal’s statement highlights his concern about Barr's conduct, implying that it compromised the rule of law and the Justice Department's duty to uphold impartiality and fairness. By associating himself so closely with Trump, Katyal believes Barr acted in ways that were inconsistent with the expected neutrality and objectivity of his role. His criticism is part of a broader discourse on how certain actions by high-ranking officials can be seen as serving partisan interests rather than the public good or the Constitution.

The origin of this quote comes from Katyal's public comments during the intense political and legal battles of the Trump administration, especially surrounding the Mueller investigation and the impeachment hearings. As a constitutional law expert, Katyal has frequently weighed in on legal matters relating to presidential conduct and the integrity of the Justice Department. His criticism of Barr is rooted in his belief that the actions of top legal officials should not be swayed by political loyalty, especially when national legal standards are at stake.

Ultimately, Katyal’s quote underscores the importance of independence in the Justice Department and the need for those in high legal positions to act with integrity and in accordance with the law, rather than acting as partisans or defending political allies. It reflects broader concerns about the separation of powers, the checks and balances of the U.S. government, and the need to safeguard the rule of law.