William Barr

Nominee for U.S. Attorney General

On December 7, 2018, President Donald Trump nominated William P. Barr to be U.S. Attorney General, replacing former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who resigned on November 7, 2018 at the President’s request. On January 15 and 16, 2019, the Senate Judiciary Committee held confirmation hearings for Barr. Ultimately, the Senate confirmed him on February 14, 2019 on a largely party-line vote.

Constitutional Accountability Center scrutinized Barr’s record closely to determine whether Barr could be counted on to serve as an independent check on the Trump Administration’s authoritarian tendencies, and whether he understands that our Constitution as amended protects the fundamental rights of all persons, including women, people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ people. Mr. Barr’s positions on a range of issues—positions that have been consistent over decades—made clear that he is not qualified to lead the Department in fulfilling the responsibility of the Department of Justice to ensure that the Constitution’s guarantees are upheld and enjoyed equally by all persons. Therefore, on January 22, 2019, CAC opposed his confirmation.

Below is a sampling of CAC’s work examining William P. Barr’s record, along with a sampling of media mentions and additional resources.

Letter

Letter to Senate Opposing the Confirmation of William P. Barr to be U.S. Attorney General
February 13, 2019

Press Release

Barr Nomination: CAC Urges Senate to Vote No
February 12, 2019

Letter

Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Opposing the Confirmation of William P. Barr to be U.S. Attorney General
January 22, 2019

Letter

Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Issuing Concerns Regarding William P. Barr’s Nomination to be U.S. Attorney General
January 10, 2019

Press Release

Trump Caves to Pressure, Nominates Permanent AG