AG Barr: ‘I think spying did occur’ against Trump campaign

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr says he thinks “spying did occur” against Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

His comments before a Senate panel on Wednesday suggest the origins of the Russia investigation may have been mishandled. Barr’s remarks aligned him with the president at a time when his independence is under scrutiny.

Barr did not say what “spying” may have taken place, but he seemed to be alluding to a surveillance warrant the FBI obtained on a Trump aide. He later said he wasn’t sure there had been improper surveillance but wanted to make sure proper procedures were followed.

Barr was testifying for a second day at congressional budget hearings that were dominated by questions about special counsel Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia investigation.