So now we know why Trump and Barr were so driven to get rid of SDNY chief Geoffrey Berman and replace him with an inexperienced Trump hack: They were probably trying to block this investigation!

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And finally: a short Twitter essay!

DEPARTMENT OF 'NEXT JULY 4TH WILL BE BETTER'

And finally, my own favorite Independence Day ritual: Listening to songs from the musical "1776" (we sing this first one to Amato):

You see that wooden platform on which so many of the Founders signed the Declaration? I got to stand there, where it happened. It was the highlight of my life.

Remember, America was never more than an ideal, falling short in many ways -- but if we all do our part, we will come so much closer to making it a reality this year.