CNN, Fox, MSNBC air split-screens of Nadler and empty chair for Barr

Cable news outlets opted Thursday to show an empty chair where Attorney General William BarrWilliam Pelham BarrForeign interference is a threat to the 2020 elections — presidential interference is, too Foreign interference is a threat to the 2020 elections — presidential interference is, too America's crisis of compassion is a Constitutional crisis, too MORE would have sat for the morning's House Judiciary Committee hearing.

CNN, Fox News and MSNBC all featured split-screens of Judiciary Chairman Jerrold NadlerJerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerFrom abortion to obstruction, politicians' hypocrisy is showing Watergate figure John Dean earns laughter for responses to GOP lawmakers The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by MAPRx - Nadler gets breakthrough deal with DOJ on Mueller docs MORE (D-N.Y.) and the empty chair that Democrats had set aside for Barr despite the announcement Wednesday night that he would not appear.

House Judiciary Chairman Jerry NadlerJerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerFrom abortion to obstruction, politicians' hypocrisy is showing Watergate figure John Dean earns laughter for responses to GOP lawmakers The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by MAPRx - Nadler gets breakthrough deal with DOJ on Mueller docs MORE: President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump says 'Failing New York Times' should be held 'fully accountable' over Russia report Trump says 'Failing New York Times' should be held 'fully accountable' over Russia report Trump tweets ICE will begin removing 'millions' of undocumented migrants MORE “wants desperately to prevent Congress, a co-equal branch of government, from providing any check whatsoever to even to his most reckless decisions” pic.twitter.com/sNVzo5qqQP

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 2, 2019

Democrats hammered Barr on Thursday for not showing up to the hearing, which was slated to be held a day after the attorney general appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a four-hour grilling over his handling of special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) Swan MuellerKamala Harris says her Justice Dept would have 'no choice' but to prosecute Trump for obstruction Kamala Harris says her Justice Dept would have 'no choice' but to prosecute Trump for obstruction Dem committees win new powers to investigate Trump MORE's report.

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Rep. Steve CohenStephen (Steve) Ira CohenJon Stewart excoriates lawmakers for skipping hearing on 9/11 victim fund Jon Stewart excoriates lawmakers for skipping hearing on 9/11 victim fund Democrats begin Mueller hearings with Watergate-era witness MORE (D-Tenn.) placed Kentucky Fried Chicken on Barr's microphone stand while referring to Barr as a coward after the hearing ended. 

.@RepCohen places a glass chicken in place of AG Barr https://t.co/ZcvGtfCcIz pic.twitter.com/r7BUKyRIkA

— The Hill (@thehill) May 2, 2019

Rep. Doug CollinsDouglas (Doug) Allen CollinsTensions between Democrats, Justice cool for a day Tensions between Democrats, Justice cool for a day Nadler reaches deal with Justice on Mueller documents on eve of contempt vote MORE (R-Ga.) declared Nadler was only staging a “circus political stunt” to make the House hearing appear like an impeachment hearing.