As reported earlier in the week, around 1,100 former Justice Department lawyers added their names to a letter demanding that Attorney General William Barr step down after the Justice Department suggested a review of the sentencing of Roger Stone, for whom prosecutors had requested nine years in prison.

The New York Times notes that the letter-writing campaign was directed by a nonprofit legal group called Protect Democracy. The New York Times’ Katie Benner reports:

The letter’s signatories included Donald Ayer, a former deputy attorney general under President George Bush, and about 50 former U.S. attorneys. Protect Democracy, a nonprofit legal group, gathered the signatures from Justice Department alumni and said it would collect more. In May, Protect Democracy gathered signatures for a letter that said the Mueller report presented enough evidence to charge Mr. Trump with obstruction of justice were that an option. At the close of his investigation, the special counsel Robert S. Mueller III declined to indicate whether Mr. Trump illegally obstructed justice, citing a decades-old department opinion that a sitting president cannot be charged with a crime. That letter was also critical of Mr. Barr.

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton made note of the fact that Protect Democracy had also sent a similar letter pushing for President Trump to be charged with obstruction of justice after reading the Mueller report:

Confirming DOJ is leftist fiefdom: Leftist group organizes "former" DoJ gov't employees to attack Barr for refusing to abuse Stone. Same Group Sent Similar Letter Pushing for Prosecution of @RealDonaldTrump. Of course @NyTimes is happy about ltr. https://t.co/E5I2iNwVl1 — Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) February 16, 2020

Letter attacking Barr organized by group run by former Obama/Schiff staffers. https://t.co/yjUxxrIhqY — Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) February 18, 2020

Here’s Sen. Ted Cruz’ shocked face:

? — Julie Bevacqua (@bevacqua_julie) February 18, 2020

You really are a great troll Ted. Never change. Thank you for your service to our country. Cruz/Nunes would get my Vote. — Chris (@ChrisSchlaller) February 18, 2020

He really is.

Color me shocked ? — Frau Tattler (@Tattler0u812) February 18, 2020

You crack me up???? — Katrina Purcell (@purcekat1970) February 18, 2020

NO … can’t be … they are so self-righteous and honorable I am sure you must be must mistaken about any ill intent … shocking … (dripping with loads of sarcasm free of charge). — Nobodyz_Bizness (@RealHawkeye77) February 18, 2020

No. Way. I am shocked … actually I already knew this — John Adams – Text Trump to 88022 (@ed4256) February 18, 2020

Yep, not shocking at all. — aoglesby (@AndreaOglesby) February 18, 2020

What else is new. @GOP stand your ground. We are done letting Democrats tell us what we can do and say, and steal America’s tax dollars and our future. You stand your ground and we will back you up.

?????????? — Vicki LaBerge (@laberge_vic) February 18, 2020

Did we miss their letter expressing outrage at the IG's findings of gross misconduct within the DOJ? Or were they cool with that? Apparently downgrading an edge case sentencing recommendation to standard levels is really what gets their goat. — DC United (@MSMInsider) February 18, 2020

The key word is FORMER! When you are out, you SHOULD be out. Opinions and signed petitions should not matter. The fact that they are all Obama/Schiff staffers tells all. — Becky 2020 DJT (@birdsong_lucy) February 18, 2020

The swamp legal coup team — Luis Mora (@lumezgo77) February 18, 2020

Imagine my shock??‍♂️ — Army-Vet (@will_guillao26) February 18, 2020

What else is new — Proud American (@MonteVardi) February 18, 2020

It always makes sense. The swamp is deep, deep, deep. But, our President is strong, strong, strong and is draining it hour by hour and minute by minute. — Shane Rieken (@rieken_shane) February 18, 2020

Swamp gonna swamp. — GilRoyTX (@GilroyTX) February 18, 2020

We don’t see Barr going anywhere anytime soon — he’s got a lot of work to do.

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