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Attorney General William Barr and the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC.
- Attorney General William Barr rescheduled a much-criticized holiday party at US President Donald Trump's DC hotel, and moved it to an undisclosed date, according to the Washington Post.
- Barr was scheduled to host the 200-person celebration at the Trump International Hotel in downtown DC last weekend, but changed the date.
- A DOJ spokeswoman did not provide a reason. The Post suggested it could have been to avoid protests outside the event.
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Attorney General William Barr rescheduled a private holiday party at President Donald Trump's DC hotel, and moved it to an undisclosed date, according to the Washington Post.
Barr was scheduled to host the 200-person festive celebration at the Trump International Hotel in downtown Washington, DC on Sunday December 8, but changed the date, a Department of Justice spokeswoman told the Post.
She did not provide a reason for the change of date, but the Post reported that it could have been changed to help Barr and his guests avoid protesters outside the hotel.
On Sunday, the Post reported, six demonstrators gathered outside the hotel before the party's expected start time.
"You're on the wrong side of history," the protesters told hotel guests entering the venue, the Post said.
REUTERS/Leah Millis
Attorney General William Barr is greeted by President Donald Trump in Washington, U.S., May 22, 2019.
When news of the holiday party was first reported by the Post in August, it said that Barr would spend at least $31,000 on the festivities, but that the cost could be much higher depending on what drinks were served at the free bar he was providing for his staff.
Barr was criticized at the time for hosting his departmental holiday party in one of the president's hotels, but officials said that he would pay for the party of his own pocket, rather than using federal funds.
Officials reportedly said at the time that Barr only chose the Trump International Hotel in DC because other hotels like the Willard and the Mayflower were already booked.
Barr reportedly consulted career ethics officials on the move, and was told the party would not break any rules.