Topic: Ethics Waiver

Senator Dick Durbin questioned William Barr regarding an ethics waiver he received to participate in the 1MDB Malaysian money laundering investigation. Durbin suggested a conflict of interest because Barr's former law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, represents Goldman Sachs in the matter. Barr clarified that the Criminal Division and career ethics officials requested he seek the waiver due to the investigation's importance, rather than Barr seeking it himself.

A Georgia State University study reveals that U.S. Senators' stock portfolios consistently outperform the market by over 12% annually. Meanwhile, the White House granted an ethics waiver to John Brennan, a former CIA officer and CEO of a private intelligence firm, to lead the review of the Christmas Day bombing.