Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., asked Attorney General William Barr during a House committee hearing why he treated the criminal case of Roger Stone, a close ally of President Donald Trump, differently from other cases. Swalwell later questioned why Stone’s 40-month sentence should be dismissed, despite Stone admitting to lying in order to protect Trump.

“Are you investigating Trump's commutation of Stone's sentence?” Swalwell asked. "No … why should I?" Barr responded.

Swalwell questioned Barr during a committee hearing examining whether the attorney general has inappropriately politicized the Justice Department. Democrats launched the investigation earlier this year over Barr’s handling of the case against Stone, whose sentence was commuted by the president this month. Democrats have since expanded their probe to several subsequent episodes in which they believe Barr is working for Trump’s own benefit.

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