::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

Outgoing Attorney General William Barr said he saw “no reason” to appoint a special counsel on potential election fraud or the tax investigation into the son of President-elect Joe Biden. “I have not seen a reason to appoint a special counsel and I have no plan to do so before I leave,” he said. Hunter Biden is under federal investigation for tax fraud and linked to corrupt business dealings in China. Barr also told The Associated Press in a previous interview that he had seen no evidence of widespread voting fraud, despite President Donald Trump's claims to the contrary. Barr resigned from the AG psost last week and will not be returning to Washington.

The White House announced on Thursday Attorney General Barr has Pres. Donald Trump's blessing to launch an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election.  This is essentially the Republican version of the Muller probe.   The official announcement form the press secretary follows. Statement from the Press Secretary    Today, at the request and recommendation of the Attorney General of the United States, President Donald J. Trump directed the intelligence community to quickly and fully cooperate with the Attorney General’s investigation into surveillance activities during the 2016 Presidential election. The Attorney General has also been delegated full and complete authority to declassify information pertaining to this investigation, in accordance with the long-established standards for handling classified information. Today’s action will help ensure that all Americans learn the truth about the events that occurred, and the actions that...