Trump lashes out at Barr over lack of voter fraud

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Donald Trump sharply criticized Attorney General William Barr on Thursday, two days after the top American law enforcement official said there is no evidence that would support claims of widespread voter fraud.

Trump's reaction was widely expected, and Barr had a shaky relationship with the outgoing commander-in-chief even prior to making the remarks during an interview with The Associated Press.

Asked if he still had confidence in Barr, Trump told reporters at the White House "ask me that in a number of weeks from now."

"He hasn’t done anything yet," the president said. "They should be looking at all of this fraud. This is not civil. This is criminal stuff. This is very bad criminal stuff.”

Joe Biden garnered 81 million votes, while Trump received 74 million. The president-elect won 306 electoral votes, far surpassing the 270 threshold needed to claim the presidency. Trump has 232 delegates.

Trump, his legal team and political allies have alleged rampant fraud, but have failed to produce evidence that would validate the claim, particularly in court where the president has been dealt repeated legal defeats.

The president falsely claimed his team has "found much of" the supposed wrongdoing, but did not lay out specifics to substantiate the allegation.

During his interview with the AP Barr, who controversially authorized federal prosecutors to probe "specific allegations" of voter fraud Nov. 9, said the Justice Department had been taking complaints and information into consideration. He maintained, however, that those efforts have not produce evidence that would alter the results of the Nov. 3 election.