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Bill Barr stops to greet 'Back the Blue' protest at Virginia police precinct: 'I want to thank those people'

In a video, Barr, sporting a dark blue suit, can be seen greeting people who are holding up signs such as 'Law and Order', 'Back the Blue' and 'Defend the Police'

Attorney General Bill Barr was seen sending a clear political signal and taking a stance when he pulled over to surprise some 'Back the Blue' event close to a police precinct in Virginia on Thursday, August 6. The gathering of people had also included those who were holding flags that had been linked to 'Blue Lives Matter' that support the police on various issues and honors those who lost their lives while on duty, Daily Mail reports. The 'Blue Lives Matter' gained prominence after 'Black Lives Matter' protesters took to the streets following the killing of George Floyd. The video of Barr's surprise visit was posted by Justice Department press secretary Kerri Kupec.

The Fairfax County Republican Party had also tweeted an image from it. There is a sign seen behind Barr's head in the group picture which says "Minorities Back Police" and "Immigrants Love Law & Order". Justice Kupec had shared, "That time you're driving in Virginia and the Attorney General spots a group of people in front of a police precinct showing their support for the police ..." "Can we make a quick U-turn? I want to jump out and thank these people," she added. In the video, Barr, sporting a dark blue suit, can be seen greeting people who are holding up signs such as "Law and Order," "Back the Blue" and "Defend the Police." 

The video also shows the excited group telling Barr, "This is awesome!" Another woman says, "You did wonderful on your testimony. Spectacular I thought." Another man can be heard saying, "come on everybody, let's take a picture," as he stands next to Barr who was not seen wearing any face mask. A former Democratic Justice Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, took to Twitter to share, "This used to go without saying, but attorneys general are not supposed to attend events affiliated with and promoted by political parties. And what is up with that sign over his head?" Barr was slammed across social media as many took to commenting on the picture shared. One such user commented, "The Attorney General is NOT supposed to attend political events!! Bill Barr and the Trump Administration is the MOST CORRUPT in History!  VOTE THEM OUT IN NOVEMBER!"

Another user commented, "The “nicest” way to put this is that it is RADICALLY inappropriate for the AG of the US to attend a political rally/appear to be taking a side. The GOP would have impeached Eric Holder for far less than this 18+ months-long shit show of authoritarianism that Barr has committed."

"When did the Attorney General become a PARTISAN? This is entirely unethical. This is a breach of his honor and duty. Shameful behavior from a corrupt AG. It makes me sick," wrote yet another social media user.

Another outraged Twitter user also chimed in, "No social distancing. Essentially no masks. And this mob definitely is vulnerable to Corona Virus. Age, obesity, stupidity, & arrogance..... Also, someone call the cops on these bio-terrorists spreading the plague!"