Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., asked Attorney General William Barr about the use of flash grenades and tear gas to clear demonstrators protesting near the White House in early June.

The clash occurred just before President Donald Trump walked through the area for a photo event at St. John's Church in Washington, D.C.

“Are you aware that the director of the church, the Episcopal archbishop of Washington, and the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church nationally, along with the Catholic bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington all denounced this police assault on the civil rights and the civil liberties of the people?” Raskin asked Barr.

“Did they do that before or after the fire was put out?” Barr responded.

Raskin 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 Roger Stone, a close ally of President Donald Trump, whose 40-month prison 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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