Take that, Bill!
President Donald Trump slapped down Attorney General Bill Barr Friday, insisting that he can order the nation's top law enforcement officer to do anything he wants.
Trump and Barr both claim that they have not discussed any criminal cases, apparently including the controversial sentencing of Trump crony Roger Stone.
But the president insists there wouldn't be anything wrong with him telling Barr what to do.
"This doesn't mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to!" Trump tweeted.
The tweet appeared to mark an escalation in the budding feud _ if that's what it really is _ between Trump and one of his most loyal acolytes.
Trump tweeted outrage this week after prosecutors recommended a 7 to 9 year sentence for Stone, his longtime friend and convicted GOP dirty trickster.
Barr promptly ordered the recommendation dramatically downgraded, a virtually unheard-of intervention especially in a case involving a political ally. Four respected prosecutors quickly resigned in protest.
Although he acted according to Trump's wishes in the Stone case, Barr insists that he came to that conclusion on his own.
Barr said Thursday that Trump's tweets about the Stone case make it "impossible for me to do my job."
Skeptics note that Barr may be trying to maintain the illusion of independence, while in practice bowing to Trump's whims 100% of the time.
