“Originally 7 to 9 years. After Trump’s Tweet Barr backed off of that and didn’t give a specific recommendation”
Barr didn’t back off AND he gave specific recommendations.
The judge followed Barr’s recommendations.
No he didn't. Read the sentencing recommendation. In it Barr "...defers to the court as to the specific sentence to be imposed." All he said was that the sentence should reflect Stone's age, circumstances, seriousness of the crime, and Stone's lack of criminal convictions.
I don't think anyone ever thought Stone would get seven to nine years. Three to four was more in line with expectations.
The judge followed Barr’s recommendations.
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That’s a very sobering (and true) thought.
I wonder if Barr would have kept his mouth shut and if Trump had not pressured Barr through tweets - if Stone would have gotten the full 7-9 years.
Probably.