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The statement said the claims were "grossly" mischaracterizing what happened
The Department of Justice disputed the claims reportedly made in John Bolton's forthcoming book against President Donald Trump and personal favors he made for leaders of foreign governments.
According to a report based on numerous sources who read portions of the book, Bolton claims that he brought up his concerns about Trump's interactions with Turkey and China to U.S. Attorney General William Barr.
A spokesperson for the DOJ released a statement saying the claims were "grossly" mischaracterized.
"While the Department of Justice has not reviewed Mr. Bolton's manuscript, the New York Times' account of this conversation grossly mischaracterizes what Attorney General Barr and Mr. Bolton discussed," said Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec.
"There was no discussion of 'personal favors' or 'undue influence' on investigations, nor did Attorney General Barr say that the President's conversations with foreign leaders was improper," the statement continued.
"If this is truly what Mr. Bolton has written," the statement concluded, "then it seems he is attributing to Attorney General Barr his own current views — views with which Attorney General Barr does not agree."
Bolton reportedly also said in his upcoming book that he believed the president was withholding military aid promised to Ukraine in order to secure a politically motivated investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.
Earlier on Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told Republicans in a closed-door meeting that he did not yet have enough votes to block Democrats from calling new witnesses. Democrats have been pressing to have John Bolton testify in the impeachment trial.