For the Democrats, the Minister of Justice's visit to the committee is long awaited. The party's representatives have long criticized the way he governs the Ministry of Justice.

The Democratic chairman of the committee, Jerry Nadler, described a minister who is too loyal to his president.

"A Justice Department in Trump's hands that affirms a dangerous expansive view of executive power and shows a willingness to protect him from responsibility is a direct threat to freedom and security in the country," Nadler said.

Barr: Made a decision that I think is right

In his opening speech, William Barr rejected criticism of him as a protector of Donald Trump, who according to the minister himself did not try to influence any of his decisions.

- On the contrary, he has told me from the beginning that he expects me to use my own judgment, to make the decisions that I think are right and that is exactly what I have done.

"Hard decisions"

Barr also defended the decisions he made in cases involving Trump's advisers or friends, including Roger Stone.

- I completely agree that the president's friends do not deserve any special treatment, but they also do not deserve to be treated more harshly than other people and sometimes it is a difficult decision to make, not least when you know you can be criticized for it.

Defends task forces

The committee's hearing also touched on the president's decision to send federal task forces to several cities to meet protesters, not least in Portland, Oregon. There, the mayor has explicitly called on the president to withdraw his forces.

But according to Barr, the federal government has an obligation to intervene.

- Federal courts are under attack. Since when is it okay to burn down a court? The federal police have a duty to prevent that, and that's exactly what we're doing in Portland.