Before the special counsel’s report on Russian election interference and the Trump campaign is released to the public Thursday, Attorney General William Barr held a press conference to summarize its main points.

Barr was at times defensive of the president, repeating the president’s much used phrase “no collusion” and offering an explanation for the president’s attitude and actions towards the investigation.

“In assessing the president’s actions discussed in the report, it is important to bear in mind the context. President Trump faced an unprecedented situation," Barr said. “As he entered into office, and sought to perform his responsibilities as president, federal agents and prosecutors were scrutinizing his conduct before and after taking office, and the conduct of some of his associates.”

He added, “And as the special counsel’s report acknowledges, there is substantial evidence to show that the president was frustrated and angered by a sincere belief that the investigation was undermining his presidency, propelled by his political opponents, and fueled by illegal leaks.”

Following the press conference, Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren said Barr sounded more like “the personal attorney and publicist” for the president, rather than the attorney general. Warren called it a “disgrace.”

She is not the only Democrat critical of Barr’s decision to summarize the redacted report before it is released to Congress and the public.

“The process is poisoned before the report is even released," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, adding, of the Thursday’s schedule, “Barr shouldn’t be spinning the report at all, but it’s doubly outrageous he’s doing it before America is given a chance to read it."