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William Pelham Barr
Former Attorney General, Justice Department Weaponizer
Attorney General (2019-2020, previously 1991-1993)
Overview
William Barr served as Attorney General twice, first under George H.W. Bush and then under Donald Trump. In his second tenure, he systematically weaponized the Department of Justice to protect Trump, misrepresented the Mueller Report conclusions, intervened to reduce sentences for Trump allies Roger Stone and Michael Flynn, ordered teargas on peaceful protesters for Trump's photo-op, and used federal law enforcement against racial justice protesters across the country.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
MUELLER REPORT MISREPRESENTATION: Released 4-page "summary" of Mueller Report that mischaracterized conclusions, Mueller himself complained in writing
ROGER STONE SENTENCING: Overrode career prosecutors to reduce Stone sentence; all 4 prosecutors resigned from case
MICHAEL FLYNN CASE: DOJ dropped case against Flynn after two guilty pleas, unprecedented in modern history
LAFAYETTE SQUARE: Ordered federal agents to teargas and beat peaceful protesters so Trump could pose with a Bible at St. John's Church
UNITARY EXECUTIVE: Advocated near-limitless presidential power, presidential immunity from investigation
IRAN-CONTRA PARDONS: As AG under Bush Sr., advised pardoning Iran-Contra conspirators, ending investigation
FEDERAL EXECUTIONS: Resumed federal executions after 17-year moratorium, executed 13 people in 6 months
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: Implemented harsh immigration policies, defended family separation
ANTI-PROTEST DEPLOYMENT: Deployed federal agents in unmarked vans to Portland and other cities against local wishes
DURHAM INVESTIGATION: Appointed Durham special counsel to investigate investigators, produced zero significant results
Related Investigations (12)
Civil Rights RollbacksCivil Rights
Tier 4
criticalDOJ Politicization Under TrumpAbuse of Power
Tier 3
criticalDOJ PoliticizationInstitutional Corruption
Tier 4
criticalEpstein Network ComplicityCorporate Accountability
Tier 1
criticalMichael Flynn Russia ScandalForeign Influence
Tier 1
highLafayette Square IncidentCriminal Justice
Tier 2
criticalMueller Report SuppressionObstruction of Justice
Tier 3
criticalObstruction of JusticeIntelligence & Covert Operations
Tier 1
criticalThe PATRIOT ActMilitary & Foreign Policy
Tier 2
criticalPrivate Prison IndustryCriminal Justice
Tier 1
criticalSurveillance State ExpansionCivil Liberties
Tier 3
highUkraine ExtortionMilitary & Foreign Policy
Tier 1
criticalCriminal Charges & Violations
2 documented violations
18 U.S.C. 1505Potential obstruction of congressional proceedings through Mueller Report misrepresentation(Obstruction)
First AmendmentOrdered violent clearing of peaceful protesters at Lafayette Square(Constitutional Violations)
Known Associates & Connections
Donald Trump
President he served and shielded from accountability
Robert Mueller
Special Counsel whose report Barr misrepresented
Rod Rosenstein
Deputy AG, co-signed misleading Mueller summary
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- May 23, 1950
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, USA
- Also Known As
- Bill Barr
Education
- •J.D., George Washington University Law School (1977)
- •M.A. Government and Chinese Studies, Columbia University (1973)
- •B.A. Government, Columbia University (1971)
Key Timeline
1950
Born in New York City
1973
Begins working at CIA
1991
Appointed Attorney General under George H.W. Bush
1992
Advises pardons for Iran-Contra defendants
2018 (Jun)
Sends unsolicited 19-page memo to DOJ arguing president cannot obstruct justice
2019 (Feb)
Confirmed as Attorney General under Trump
2019 (Mar)
Releases misleading 4-page Mueller Report summary
2019 (Apr)
Mueller writes letter complaining about Barr's misrepresentation
2020 (Feb)
Overrides Stone prosecutors on sentencing, all 4 resign
2020 (May)
DOJ drops Flynn case
2020 (Jun 1)
Orders Lafayette Square cleared for Trump Bible photo-op
2020 (Jul)
Deploys federal agents to Portland over local objections
2020 (Dec)
Resigns after stating no evidence of election fraud