Barr to get COVID-19 test after Gohmert tests positive
Attorney General Bill Barr will be tested for coronavirus Wednesday after coming into contact with a Texas congressman who tested positive.
“The attorney general will be tested today,” the Justice Department said in a brief statement, after the department was notified that Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, had tested positive for the virus.
The two had a brief interaction during Barr’s appearance at a combative House Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, said an official with knowledge of the matter. The official, who is not authorized to comment publicly, said it is not believed that the two had physical contact.
Gohmert joins a growing number of lawmakers to contract the virus. The Texas Republican reviously refused to wear a mask while speaking on the House floor.
Gohmert was supposed to accompany President Donald Trump to Texas on Wednesday, but was scratched from the Air Force One manifest because of a positive COVID-19 test, an administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the incident involves the congressman’s health records.
Gohmert told local media he plans to self-quarantine for 10 days.
He said he has worn a mask more “in the last week or two,” than he has in the past four months, suggesting he may have contracted the virus that way.
On Tuesday, Gohmert participated in the questioning of Barr and the two were seen walking without masks in video from The Hill posted on Twitter.